Are you tired of paying monthly just to store photos and videos you rarely even look at? You’re not alone. Many users are now shelling out $10/month or more for Google One plans, and with rising data consumption, Google will eventually push you toward the 5TB plan costing $25/month.
But what if I told you there are 100% legal workarounds to get unlimited Google Photos storage, even in 2025? Whether you’re using Android or iPhone, these tricks can help you save storage space, money, and stress — and yes, you can still enjoy all of Google Photos’ features like face recognition, search, and editing.
Let’s dive into the top 3 methods to unlock unlimited Google Photos storage – starting from the easiest to the most powerful.
1. Use Partner Sharing to Outsmart Google’s Storage Limit
What is Partner Sharing?
Partner Sharing is a built-in Google Photos feature that allows you to link a secondary Google account and share your photos between them. Here’s the twist — any media shared FROM the second account TO the primary one won’t count toward your main account’s storage quota!
How to Set It Up:
- Go to Google Photos > Profile Icon > Photos Settings > Sharing > Partner Sharing.
- Add a second Google account (can be new or existing).
- Set sharing to “All Time” for complete photo access.
- Accept the invitation from the second account.
- Enable Auto-Save on your main account to view and manage those shared files.
Benefits:
- Shared files show up with full search and edit features.
- You’re technically using a second account’s storage for free.
- Great for photo backups and even better if you rotate accounts occasionally.
2. Recover Storage by Compressing Old Media (Huge Space Saver)
Remember choosing “Original Quality” during Google Photos setup? It eats up your space FAST. But there’s a hidden trick to retroactively compress old media to “Storage Saver” quality.
Here’s How to Compress Your Old Uploads:
- Open photos.google.com on your browser.
- Click the hamburger menu (☰) and scroll to Storage.
- Tap “Recover Storage” > Learn More.
- Compress your media and free up GBs of space instantly.
⚠️ Note: This action is permanent, but unless you’re a pro photographer, the quality difference is negligible for day-to-day users.
Result?
- Massive space savings.
- May even let you downgrade your Google One plan.
- No impact on search, sharing, or editing features.
3. Use an OG Pixel for Lifetime Unlimited Google Photo Storage
This is the ultimate hack — and yes, it’s completely legit.
Why It Works:
When Google launched the original Pixel phone, it came with a unique perk: unlimited original-quality photo and video backups for life. Unlike newer Pixels, Google is STILL honoring this.
You don’t need to use the phone as your main device. Just use it as a photo upload station!
What You Need:
- An OG Pixel (easily available on eBay for $60–$100)
- An app called Resilio Sync (available on Android and iOS)
Step-by-Step Setup:
- Install Resilio Sync on your main phone and the OG Pixel.
- Create a folder sync from your main phone (usually
/DCIM/Camera). - Scan the QR code to link it on your Pixel.
- In Resilio on Pixel, disable battery optimization to keep it running in the background.
- On the Pixel, enable backup for that folder in the Google Photos app.
Now, every photo or video you take gets auto-synced to the Pixel, which uploads it to Google Photos with unlimited, original-quality backup. Your main Google account doesn’t use any space.
Pro Tips:
- Keep the Pixel plugged in and connected to Wi-Fi.
- Clear duplicates before syncing to avoid repeats.
- Works with iPhones too using the same app!
Bonus Tip: Stay Secure with a VPN
Even if you’re backing everything to Google, security is still key. Data breaches happen — and Google accounts aren’t immune. Using a VPN like Surfshark protects your data, offers antivirus support, and even helps save money on online purchases by changing your virtual location.
Final Thoughts
Storing your memories shouldn’t cost you hundreds of dollars a year. With these smart and legal tricks, you can enjoy unlimited Google Photos storage without giving up your favorite features.
Summary:
- Use Partner Sharing to offload media to another account.
- Compress old uploads to recover space instantly.
- Buy an OG Pixel and set it up as an auto-upload station.