What you need to know
- The latest version of the Google Photos app shows Google’s continued development of the “storage recovery” feature for Android users.
- Similar to the web, Android users will be able to compress previously saved photos and videos to their cloud photo storage to free up space.
- Google warns that compressing older files is irreversible and will not affect future uploads if users choose to do so.
A new option hidden within the code for the Google Photos app triggers a familiar space-saving feature.
According to PunikaWeb, thanks to AssembleDebug, the latest 6.78 version of Photos contains information about the upcoming “Recover Storage” option. The feature was discovered in the “Account Storage” section, under “Storage Management”. When tapped, the Android app showed a page plugin that would allow users to “convert photos to save space.”
Google’s description says the keeper will “reclaim some storage space” by reducing the quality of your previously saved items in the cloud to save space. This method includes all of the user’s photos and videos saved through the cloud.
The next page states that Photos will not affect the original quality of items stored on Gmail, Drive, or YouTube. Additionally, other items on the user’s Pixel device may not be linked to this.
The publication states that Google’s continued development of Recover Storage has brought more information about photo/video compression. The company will apparently warn users in the app that compressing their older items to reduced quality “cannot be undone.”
Users should also be prepared to wait a while while the app does its thing, which could take several days.
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If this feature sounds familiar, that’s because the web version of Photos already offers this space-saving option. The good thing is that compressing your older media won’t affect your future uploads, as stated on the support page. So if you run out of space (again), you can always try to compress the files again.
There are speculations that Google might launch its Recover Storage option to Android users soon as its functionality seems to be almost finished. Moreover, it seems that it will arrive for iOS devices in combination with Android.
Yesterday (April 10), the company announced that several powerful AI editing tools will soon be coming to Photos for free. Starting May 15, all users can use Magic Eraser, Photo Unblur, Portrait Light, and more without a subscription. Eligible devices include those running Android 8 and later, Chromebook Plus devices, and iOS 15 and later.
The king of androids
Google Pixel 8 Pro has arrived with a paradigm shift. The device contains a bunch of Google’s AI software like Gemini and other tools to edit the blemishes in our photos. What’s more, the Pixel 8 Pro offers an impressive display for smooth scrolling, excellent tactility and more.