Google photos storage full? Here’s what you can do (Step-by-Step)
Sat, Feb 28, 2026, 9:07 AM

If you’re seeing “Google Photos storage full”, it usually means your free storage is used up and your photos and videos may stop backing up. This is stressful because it can feel like your memories are stuck. The good news is there are clear options, and you can choose the one that fits your situation.

This guide explains what’s happening, what changes when storage is full, and the best ways to fix it. It also covers how to set up a second backup so you are not relying on only one provider.

Why Google Photos Storage Gets Full

The 15 GB free limit is shared across Google Photos, Google Drive, and Gmail.
Videos use space fast, especially longer clips and higher resolutions.
Backups can quietly grow over time even if you are not thinking about it.
Other Google data adds up like large email attachments and Drive files.

What Happens When Google Photos Storage Is Full

New photos and videos may stop backing up from your phone.
Gmail may stop receiving new mail if your Google storage is completely full.
Google Drive uploads can fail if there is no space left.
You may be forced into decisions like paying, deleting, or moving data.

Option 1: Upgrade Storage (Google One)

If you want the simplest option and you don’t mind paying monthly, upgrading your storage can immediately remove the “full” warning.

Pros: Fastest fix, no moving files, backups can continue.
Cons: Ongoing monthly cost, still one provider for everything.

Option 2: Free Up Space (Without Losing Important Photos)

If you want to stay on the free plan longer, the goal is to remove unnecessary storage use. Start with the biggest wins first.

Step 1: Clear large videos and duplicates

Delete accidental long recordings.
Remove duplicate downloads or repeated exports.
Look for large files you no longer need.

Step 2: Clean Google Drive and Gmail

Delete large Drive files you don’t need.
Empty the Drive trash.
Search Gmail for large attachments and delete what you can.
Empty the Gmail trash and spam.

Step 3: Keep your photos safe before deleting

Before you delete anything important, make sure you have another copy somewhere else. For most people, the fear is not “running out of space.” The fear is losing photos forever.

Option 3: Change Backup Settings or Use Another Google Account

If your goal is to keep backups going but you want to avoid paying right now, you may try moving backups to a different account. This can be helpful, but it can also get confusing. Many people end up with photos spread across accounts, which makes searching and organizing harder later.

What to consider before switching accounts

Organization: Your library may split across accounts.
Sharing: Shared albums and access can become messy.
Long-term: You may hit the same limit again over time.

Option 4: Set Up a Second Backup Outside Google (Recommended)

If you want less stress long-term, the best approach is usually not “delete and hope.” It’s having a second copy outside Google so you are never stuck with a single point of failure.

A second backup helps you:

Protect your memories even if you lose access to one account.
Avoid panic deleting when storage gets tight.
Keep options open if you later switch providers.

The Most Common Situation: “My Google Photos Storage Is Full, What Do I Do Right Now?”

Pause and avoid deleting important photos until you have a backup.
Clean obvious storage waste like big videos and Drive clutter.
Decide if you want to pay for convenience or move backups elsewhere.
Create a second backup so you never feel trapped again.

A Simple Way to Move Fast: Import to Megatech Photos in a Few Clicks

If you want a quick second backup (or an alternative to Google Photos), Megatech Photos gives you 100 GB free to start, and it’s designed for people who are tired of hitting Google’s limit.

100 GB free so you can offload photos and videos immediately.
Import from Google Photos in a few clicks so you are not manually uploading everything.
Secondary backup or full switch, depending on what you want.

If your goal is to stop the stress of “storage full,” the fastest path is usually: keep Google Photos if you want, but build a second copy somewhere else.

Try Megatech photos