How to quickly find photos and videos in Google Photos and other service features

How to enable or disable auto-upload and synchronization

Before you start, you should make sure that your Google account is active. After this, it is recommended to perform the following algorithm of actions:

• open the Google Photos service on an Android smartphone;
• At the top of the display there is a “Menu” button, press it;
• then click the “Settings” button, after “Startup and synchronization”;
• the slider must be set to the desired mode, enabled or disabled.

When the storage space is completely gone, you need to scroll to the bottom of the page and click “Turn off startup.” You need to remember that deleting Google Photos from your phone will not automatically disable synchronization and auto-upload. This must be done before deleting the service by following the instructions above.

These functions can be turned off just like that, without waiting for the cloud to run out of memory. However, such actions may lead to incorrect operation, for example, when changing a document on a smartphone, the file will remain the same on the PC. Therefore, it is important to disable such options only if the allocated volume has run out.

Also, these options increase privacy and display changes to documents on all connected devices, be it a computer, laptop, tablet or phone. Therefore, it is not recommended to disable them unless absolutely necessary.

How to change startup settings

It must be said that any changes to startup settings will also affect other programs that use this service, for example, Google Drive. You can change the settings as follows:

• to select a profile where documents will be uploaded, in the “Account for auto-upload” tab, click on the name of the required account;
• to change the dimensions of uploaded files, for example photos, click on “Photo Size”;
• you need to click on the words “Selected folders” when you need to configure auto-downloading of videos and pictures from certain folders;
• You can download files while roaming; to do this, in the “When to download” item, the switch is set to on.

In the case when the user urgently needs to download information and there is no Wi-Fi connection, you can use mobile communications. To do this, in the “Use mobile Internet” item, set the “Photo” or “Video recording” slider to the on position.

It is recommended to remember that the servicing mobile network provider may charge a fee, this is regulated by the connected tariff plan.

Popular cloud services for data storage

Most services are available for free, so disk space is limited, and the developer may insert advertisements while using the application. Additional megabytes of memory are another way to earn money for owners of virtual drives.

Popular storage options include applications that offer the largest amount of storage and advanced service features.

"Yandex.Disk"

The Russian IT giant Yandex.Disk offers stable online storage with 10 GB of memory. It is possible to increase this volume by participating in company shares. The following are available to service clients:

• user-friendly interface;
• high data loading speed;
• accessibility of using documents offline;
• the ability to store an unlimited number of photos for those who install the mobile application.

Built-in synchronization with gadgets saves time. There is an integration feature with Office Online.

To log into Yandex.Disk, you need to log in using your email and you can use the cloud on Android.

Google Drive

Google Drive is one of the most common cloud storage services. It is located in the installed Android programs and is tied to your account, so you do not need to register again. File synchronization occurs automatically.

Google Remote Storage has its benefits:

• of all cloud storages supports the greatest variety of formats;
• there are custom add-ons;
• the service is connected to Google Docs and Google Sheets and allows you to work with materials without downloading to physical media;
• free memory 15 GB.

You can purchase additional storage space by selecting an option from your Google One subscriptions.

Mail.Ru

Mail.Ru is one of the top services on the Russian market. Provides users with a small amount of memory - 8 GB. The cloud is available after registration.

The advantages include:

• the ability to work with documents without the Internet;
• simultaneous use of the drive from several devices;
• co-viewing and editing function for team work;
• Links can be sent in several ways: via social networks, e-mail, SMS and instant messengers.

Microsoft OneDrive

Cloud storage provides users with 5 GB of free space, which can be expanded up to 1 TB by purchasing a Microsoft 365 subscription. It has advanced features and has a reputation as one of the most reliable virtual drives.

There are a number of advantages to working with OneDrive:

• despite the small amount of initial memory, additional space is inexpensive;
• works with a large number of languages;
• integration with Office Online;
• ability to manage folders;
• the function of joint document editing and group work is available;
• automatic synchronization with Windows-enabled devices.

pCloud

pCloud storage provides users with maximum data protection using a special encryption system. However, this service is only available in the paid version. 10 GB of memory available for free.

Main advantages:

• a one-time lifetime subscription guarantees complete confidentiality of files in the cloud;
• autoloading information from the gadget to disk;
• offline access to information in the storage device;
• There is an audio and video player in which it is convenient to store books and music.

The subscription cost is comparatively higher than other cloud services, but does not require renewal.

DropboX

The DropboX application has a nice design and a clear interface. An obvious drawback is the maximum 2 GB of memory in the free version. Purchasing a family subscription allows six users to work with the storage simultaneously.

Among the advantages are:

• scanned documents are saved in high-resolution pdf format;
• the convenient Dropbox Spaces feature allows you to add descriptions, lists, tasks, and links to folders;
• standard file sharing capability;
• as in the pCloud application, all information is protected by additional encryption.

The small amount of disk space provided is compensated by an affordable subscription fee.

MEGA

This cloud storage will provide 50 GB of memory for a trial month and 15 GB thereafter absolutely free. Mega has the option to automatically upload photos to disk.

Peculiarities:

• file encryption system to protect information;
• an unlimited number of users who can be given access to materials hosted in the cloud;
• convenient search in the file system;
• ability to block the application using a PIN code.

When paying for a premium package, the memory can be expanded up to 4 TB.

Cloud features and capabilities

As already mentioned, the main function of the platform is to save data. However, this is not its only possibility; there are other interesting options. They are presented in the following list:

• organization of joint work with information;
• you can edit files;
• You can create presentations, tables and folders in your account;
• there is a function for setting access, that is, the data will be visible only to selected people;
• you can sort documents as needed.

Using all the functionality of the cloud, you can significantly simplify the work with documents, making it more comfortable not only for yourself, but also for those who work in a team with the user himself.

It must be said that the option to configure access to data will be most useful to companies and various organizations that need to outline the circle of people who receive permission to use and edit certain information.

What is a cloud on a phone and why is it needed?

Under the cloud, you can imagine the platform as a virtual flash drive to which a certain amount of information is moved. The user must always have a USB device with him in order to have access to downloaded information, while access to the cloud service can be obtained from a computer or mobile gadget when accessing the Internet.

It turns out that to access documents you need to enter personal data, in some situations this is not even required. In this case, the information in the storage is completely synchronized. When uploading a document, you can leave it in both public and private access, then only certain people can view it.

The cloud is required to store information that is too heavy. That is, the file cannot fit into the memory of a mobile device, so it is more expedient to place it on a remote server. This will free up the phone and reduce the load on its system.

In addition, such storages are popular because they keep data intact. The phone may malfunction and all information on it will be deleted. Therefore, it is important to have a cloud service so that important information does not disappear anywhere.

How to Find Any Photo in Google Photos

Google became what it is because of search. So it's no surprise that this aspect of the app works very well. Photo doesn’t just upload your photos - the service “understands” what is depicted in them, and as a result, even copes with semantic (meaningful) queries. What does it mean? That through the search bar you can search for your photos by topic! For example:

• Birthday - all photos from birthdays of yours or your friends will be displayed
• Cake
• Cat
• Dog
• Selfie
• New Year
• Gifs (meaning Gif format)
• Children
• Different colors
• A park
• Beach
• Moscow

The search bar will also offer suggestions that are relevant to you.

Some more useful search tips:

Search queries can be combined - for example, “Selfie for the New Year.”

You can even search by emoji - if you want all your photos in sunglasses, enter the “smile” emoji in glasses into the search bar.

If you need to quickly see pictures from, say, 2021, type “2016” in the Photo search. If necessary, you can enter the month and even the day.

ON TOPIC: Search by image on iPhone or Android: 3 ways.

Features of cloud data storage

In some cases, it is not necessary to download a special application from the Google Play Market. All you need to do is go to the website of any cloud on the Internet, enter your login information and gain access to your information. You can also register an account from your phone.

Mega application interface

The Mega service works on this principle. It has several distinctive features:

• instant data decryption and fast loading;
• the ability to set a password for a file added to the cloud;
• When registering, it is not necessary to indicate your email;
• You can access information from any device with an Internet connection;
• no advertising inserts.

Thus, cloud storage helps Android device users keep their information safe. You can store the necessary information in the cloud without fear of losing it. Thanks to the information above, there should be no difficulty in how to save files from Android to the cloud.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of storing data in cloud storages?

Before choosing a cloud server, you should consider all the strengths and weaknesses of storage.

Advantages and disadvantages

the right to access a remote storage can be obtained from any device;

It is more convenient to store large files or transfer them via the cloud;

management allows you to set up work with information simultaneously by several users;

if the gadget is lost, everything downloaded remains safe;

Sorting into folders allows you to store files in an orderly manner.

working with the cloud requires the presence of the Internet;

Disk space is limited; if you need to expand the space, you will have to buy it;

in the event of a hacker attack on the servers of the selected drive, there is a risk of violating the privacy of the stored data.

Cloud volume

An important factor when choosing a cloud is the amount of space that is provided by the service organization. It is usually free to use. In most cases, the volume is in the range from 5 to 50 GB, it depends on the server.

If the provided volume is too small, you need to increase it. For this you will have to pay a fee, which includes additional space and user service for a certain period of time. The latter is specified when purchasing the auxiliary volume and can also be different.

Also, some services allow you to receive auxiliary volume by sending invitations to friends and acquaintances. This opportunity can be used on Yandex.Disk and OneDrive. Of course, you won’t be able to earn a lot of money this way, but you can expand your disk space somewhat.

How to Add Old Paper Photos to Google Photos

For those who want to digitize ordinary photos, Google has made a special PhotoScan application. The program is available for iOS and Android, it allows you to make high-quality digital copies of your photos within a few seconds. PhotoScan can do everything - find corners in old “photos”, straighten, rotate images and even remove glare. The digitization result can be sent directly to Google Photos.

Google Photos also has albums that can be shared by multiple users. It’s very convenient when you and your family/friends/colleagues have been somewhere and want to collect all the “photos” from the event.