Photo storage management becomes a real headache in the all-digital age. Between vacation photos, screenshots and uploaded images, our space quickly becomes clogged.
Google Photos offers a solution as simple as it is effective to save space on the cloudand thus avoid a new expensive subscription.
High-quality compression: the secret of Google Photos
Google Photos incorporates a sophisticated compression algorithm. This technology significantly reduces file size while preserving a visual quality almost identical to the original.
For the human eye, the difference remains imperceptible on the majority of photos. Suffice to say that activating this feature is the best solution if you do not want to delete your most beautiful memories.
How to Enable Google Photos Compression Feature on PC
On your PC, the operation is done in just a few clicks. First go to photos.google.com and log in to your account.
Click on the settings icon at the top right, symbolized by a toothed wheel. From the menu that appears, select “ Settings “. A new page opens. Locate the section “ Quality of photo and video backup » and choose the option “ Space saver “.
Google Photos automatically compresses your existing and future photos. Obviously, it would be good to also visit the storage space manager to clean up your photos and other videos that have become superfluous in order to save even more space.
Activate the compression function of Google Photos on smartphone

On your Android phone, open the Google Photos app. Tap your profile picture at the top right then select “ Photos app settings “. In the section “ Backup ”, press “ Backup quality “. Select “ Space saver “.
The application then starts compressing your library, saving you precious gigs of storage. Compressed photos take up to 70% less space than originals. This reduction allows you to store more images without having to increase your Google One storage plan.
The ideal solution for budding photographers
This function is particularly aimed at users who prioritize practicality. Amateur photographers find the best compromise between quality and storage space. For everyday photos, family photos or travel memories, high-quality compression is more than enough.
Certain details still deserve attention. Compression applies to new photos and existing images. The process is therefore irreversible.
Therefore, professional photographers will prefer to keep their original files. For very high resolution photos or large format prints, original quality is still recommended.