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Google Photos is widely used to automatically back up photos and videos captured using a smartphone camera, but some Android users may be uploading considerably more content to their Google Account than they realize. Depending on the backup settings enabled on the device, Google Photos can automatically upload images and videos stored in other device folders, including WhatsApp media, screenshots, downloads, and content saved by other apps.
This behaviour can have two unintended consequences. Personal screenshots or media received through messaging apps could end up stored in the cloud, while thousands of unnecessary images and videos may gradually consume the storage shared across a user’s Google Account.
Google Photos Can Back Up More Than Your Camera Photos
On Android, Google Photos provides separate backup controls for device folders created by apps and other parts of the operating system. Google specifically notes that users can choose to back up photos and videos from other apps, including WhatsApp, alongside their regular camera photos.
These folders can potentially include:
- WhatsApp images and videos
- Screenshots
- Downloaded images
- Images saved from social media apps
- Photos and videos created or downloaded by other applications
However, simply seeing these images inside the Google Photos app does not necessarily mean they have been uploaded to the cloud. Google Photos can display locally stored media from different device folders even when backup for those folders is disabled.
The “Back up all device folders” Setting is Worth Checking
One setting users should pay particular attention to is Back up all device folders. According to Google, when this option is enabled, photos stored in newly created device folders can automatically be backed up as well. Users can alternatively disable this option and individually choose which folders they want Google Photos to back up.
This means that someone who previously enabled broader device-folder backup may not always realize that media stored outside the camera folder is being uploaded.
For example, if WhatsApp Images is selected for backup, photos received and downloaded through WhatsApp can be uploaded to Google Photos. Similarly, screenshots can be backed up when the corresponding folder is included in the user’s backup configuration.
The exact folders available and their behaviour can vary depending on the smartphone manufacturer, Android version, app configuration, and where individual apps save their media.
Why This Could Consume Your Google Account Storage
Photos and videos backed up through Google Photos count toward Google Account storage under Google’s current storage policies. As a result, automatically backing up unnecessary screenshots, memes, forwarded WhatsApp videos, and other downloaded media can gradually consume available cloud storage.
This can become particularly noticeable for users who are part of active WhatsApp groups where large numbers of photos and videos are regularly received. If the corresponding media folders are being backed up, content that users never intended to permanently preserve could remain stored in their Google Photos library.
Users should also distinguish between WhatsApp media uploaded individually to Google Photos and a WhatsApp chat backup. They are separate systems. Enabling the WhatsApp Images or Videos folder in Google Photos can upload individual media files, independently of WhatsApp’s own chat-backup system.
How to Check Which Folders Google Photos is Backing Up
Android users can check their current configuration by opening Google Photos and navigating to Profile picture > Photos settings > Backup > Back up device folders.
Google Photos will display the available device folders, allowing users to turn backup on or off individually. Users who want tighter control over what reaches their cloud library should also check whether Back up all device folders is enabled. If it is turned on, Google says content in new device folders can automatically be included in backup.
How to Check Whether a Specific Photo Was Actually Uploaded
Seeing an image in the Google Photos mobile app alone isn’t enough to determine whether it exists in the cloud. Users can check the backup status of an individual photo or video inside Google Photos. Google also recommends checking the Google Photos website to determine which items are stored in the account; content visible there has been backed up.
Users concerned about privacy or unnecessary storage consumption should therefore review their backup settings rather than assuming Google Photos is only uploading pictures taken with the camera. Disabling backup for unwanted device folders can prevent future media from those folders from being automatically uploaded, while keeping backup enabled for the folders users actually want to preserve.
