Google Photos - changes are coming!

Google Photos is a tool I've recommended for several years as an additional backup for your photos and videos.  If you have a Gmail account, Google Photos can be accessed on the web at photos.google.com or by downloading the Google Photos app. Once the app is installed on your phone it runs in the background automatically uploading photos as they are taken. Those photos can then be accessed on any phone, computer, or tablet when you are logged into your Google account.  Google Photos presently offers free unlimited storage if you upload in "High Quality" but that is changing on June 1. 

What you need to know and do before June 1:
1)  All photos and videos uploaded before June 1 will remain in your Google Photos account after June 1.  They will not disappear.
2) I'd recommend uploading as many photos and videos from your devices (computer, thumb drives, external drives, etc.) as you have time to do before June 1.  Those will continue to be included in your free Google Photo storage if done before June 1 and not count against your total storage.
3) Read and watch the resources  below to learn more about the specifics of the changes being made to Google Photos.  The video will also show you the "how-to's".   
Read: https://learngooglephotos.com/free-no-more/ This is an excellent article that is easy to understand with ALL the information you need regarding your Google Photos
Watch at least part of this video; the link starts the video at the 10:59 mark:  https://youtu.be/ERUfY1aSk98?t=659

Google Photos will remain a great cloud storage solution.  If you decide/need to purchase more storage after exceeding the 17 GB of free storage provided by your Google account in the future, 100 GB of storage can be purchased for $1.99/month or $19.99/year, not really a bad price to ensure you have a backup of all your photos.  But remember - whatever photos are uploaded before June 1 will remain in Google Photos for free.

Interesting fact:  Over 1 billion people back up 28 billion photos to Google Photos each week.  No wonder Google can't continue to provide free unlimited storage!

Have a terrific Tuesday and, if you have time, start gathering all of your thumb drives, flash drives, external drives and get your pictures uploaded to Google.  :-)