13 Google Photos settings I always change on every new device – and why – ZDNET

June 30, 2026

13 Google Photos settings I always change on every new device – and why

Before I let Google Photos loose on my Android or iPhone camera roll, I check these backup, privacy, and AI settings first.

Written by Elyse Betters Picaro, Senior Contributing Editor, June 27, 2026 at 3:01 a.m. PT

1. Choose the right backup account 2. Turn backup on, but with limits 3. Turn off cellular backup 4. Turn on overnight backups 5. Pick ‘storage saver’ quality 6. Turn off ‘Ask Photos’ AI-powered search 7. Turn off Gemini entirely 8. Limit Gemini features and access 9. Hide certain memories 10. Manage sharing activity 11. Turn off notifications and offers 12. Quiet suggestions 13. Change color theme to dark FAQs

13 Google Photos settings I always change on every new device - and why — Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET

ZDNET’s key takeaways

Google Photos works best after a quick settings check.
Backup quality and account settings can impact your storage fast.
Review AI tools, sharing, alerts, and more before using the app.

I’ve used Google Photos for more than a decade. It just works so well across Android, iOS, the web, and desktop. As primarily an iPhone user, I love that it gives me an alternative to Apple Photos, a service I don’t especially love, but that’s another story.

For me, the biggest draw is having a searchable, cloud-backed photo library. I can use it to find a specific photo buried deep in my account, whether it’s that Christmas photo of my dog, a Home Depot receipt, a beach sunset, my daughter’s birthday cake, or a person, in seconds. It’s also packed with fun editing features that make it easy to turn old photos into something new.

The thing is, no matter how much I like Google Photos, I never install it fresh and let it loose on my camera roll without checking a few settings. Sometimes, that means tightening up privacy and security. Other times, it means enabling useful backup or turning off AI features that make the app feel busy. Either way, these are the Google Photos settings I change first, and why.

1. Choose the right backup account

This sounds basic — until 12,000 toddler photos are backed up to the wrong Gmail account. On iOS and Android, open the app, tap the profile picture, go to Photos settings > Backup, and check the account listed under Account and storage. I make sure it’s my main Google account, not a work account, burner account, or ancient YouTube-commenting account I haven’t used since 2016.

2. Turn backup on, but with limits

Backing up is one of the main reasons to use Google Photos, right? So, on iOS and Android, I make sure Backup is enabled. Just tap the profile picture > Photos settings > Backup, then turn Backup on. Next, I decide what I actually want to save to my account.

On iPhone, go to iOS Settings > Privacy and Security > Photos > Google Photos and select Limited Access. Now choose which photos, videos, and device folders Google Photos can see.
On Android, open Settings > Apps > Photos > Permissions > Photos and videos, then select Allow limited access. Another option is to open Google Photos, tap the profile picture > Photos settings > Backup, and look for Backup options. From there, switch from backing up all photos and videos to backing up only specific device folders.

I don’t need every photo, screenshot, download, or random image folder stored in the cloud forever. If I let everything in or grant full access, my storage will fill up faster, search may get messier, and the app will keep photos I never wanted it to have in the first place.

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