Google Photos storage full? Here are your options
By Matteo Vigliante · Updated 23 May 2026 · 2 min read
Google Photos shares one 15 GB free pool with Gmail and Drive, so when it fills up, photo backups stop. You can clear space, upgrade to Google One (€1.99/mo for 100 GB, €9.99/mo for 2 TB), or move your library elsewhere. If you need storage rather than Google's other services, several providers give you 2 TB for the same price or less.
Every Google account gets 15 GB free, shared across Gmail, Drive, and Photos. Original-quality backups use it up fast. Once you hit the limit, new photos stop syncing, and an account that's badly over the limit can even stop Gmail receiving mail.
You have three ways out. Clear space by deleting big Gmail attachments and old Drive files, which Google's storage manager helps you find. Upgrade to Google One, where 100 GB is €1.99 a month and 2 TB is €9.99. Or export everything with Google Takeout and move to another provider.
Key numbers: Cheapest 2 TB is Blomp at €2.74/mo. Biggest free tier is Blomp at 40 GB. Highest rated is OpenDrive at 4.4 / 5.
Upgrading makes sense if your mail and documents also live with Google. If you only need somewhere to keep photos, you're paying partly for services you may never touch. The providers below match Google's 2 TB price, and some sell lifetime plans that cost less over a few years.
2 TB alternatives, ranked by price
Frequently asked
Does deleting photos from my phone free up Google Photos?
Only if the photo is backed up and you delete it inside Google Photos. Removing it from your phone's gallery alone does not touch the cloud copy.
Can I move my Google Photos library to another service?
Yes. Google Takeout exports your whole library as downloadable archives, which you can upload anywhere else. It's a one-time job, then you switch backup off in Google Photos.
What happens when Google storage is completely full?
New photos and videos stop backing up, and a heavily overfull account can stop Gmail receiving mail. Files already stored stay safe.
Related
Is Google One worth it in 2026?
Google One is worth it if your photos, email, and files already live in Google's apps. The 2 TB plan is priced competitively and includes a VPN and family sharing. If you don't lean on Gmail or Google Photos, you can usually get the same storage cheaper from pCloud or Internxt, and with better privacy.
pCloud vs Google One: which should you pick?
Pick Google One if you live in Gmail and Google Photos. It's the smoother everyday experience and the family sharing is generous. Pick pCloud if you want a one-time lifetime price, the option of zero-knowledge encryption, and a Swiss company instead of a US one.
iCloud+ vs Google One: which should you choose?
Choose iCloud+ if your life runs on Apple devices. It backs up your iPhone automatically and works best on Mac and iOS. Choose Google One if you use Gmail and Google Photos, want storage that works the same on Android, Windows, and the web, or want the bigger free tier. At 2 TB they cost the same, €9.99/mo, so the choice is about ecosystem, not price.
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