How to install Google Photos on IOS devices and why you would want to.
I had heard of Google Photos, but with no convincing clarity of what it was and how to use it. But lately I was working with some photos in my Apple’s IOS iCloud Shared Library/Albums (sorry, Apple keeps changing names of their stuff) and some of my needed photos just disappeared!!! Never seen anything like that. (And yes, I tried online and every device I had for hours, but to no avail.)
Which got me looking at Google Photos and why I installed it.
I am an Apple user so I have a Mac and IOS devices. So not sure if this article will be of use to Windows users. Google Photos is of course available across multiple platforms.
Why Have Google Photos
If you are video person, this is the video that did the most to convince me to get Google Photos.
I also read the articles listed below in the references.
If you are in a rush and have no time for videos, here are the features of Google Photos (as taken from the App Store itself):
Why I Chose Google Photos
Or for an even shorter summary of why I have installed Google Photos:
- unlimited FREE storage/backup (by choosing to store in High Quality; i.e. up to 16 megapixels for photos, 1080p HD for videos. Even the highest end iPhone today only has a 12MP camera. Apparently they are pretty large and I have no problem with those specs).
- easy sync across all your devices
- easy access
- easy to create libraries
- easy to share photos/libraries
Now whether, after longer term use, I still feel as excited as I do now about Google Photos, I will let you know later. For now, lets just quickly go through the steps to install it to an IOS device (e.g. iPhone, iPad)
How To Install Google Photos app on your IOS Devices
You will want to install the Google Photos app on all your IOS devices which you want to use for accessing your photos.
On your device (iPhone/iPad), go to the AppStore app and search for “Google Photos” >> Get
Once the app has downloaded completely you can open it. And you will see something like the following. I just said OK and click Allow (you can change all these later if you need to).
IMPORTANT SETTINGS
These are the settings I chose.
The “High Quality ..” option is important if you want to have Google’s Free Unlimited backup and storage.
And I left the “Use mobile data…” off. It would cost me a huge bundle to pay for my mobile data.
Just “Confirm” and you are ready to go.
You might initially notice that it is still syncing and backing up your photos (to the cloud).
Those symbols will disappear when the sync is done.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Only your ‘Camera Roll’
Google Photos will only be able to access and sync photos that are in your device’s “Photos” or what was previously known as the “Camera Roll”.
If you have photos and Apple’s iCloud Shared Libraries/Albums, then know that you will NOT see them in your Google Photos.
I am going to leave you here. I am in the process of working out some of the basic benefits and limitations of Google Photos.
References:
- TechAdvisor.co.uk : Everything you need to know about Google Photos –
- YouTube/dottech : Google Photos 2018, The One-Stop Tutorial –
Your Comments? Tips to share?