How to Change Your Default Google Photos Backup Account and Transfer Your Photos
Want to change your default Google Photos backup account? If you’re an Android user, you know how crucial a Google account is. When I first created mine, I gave little thought to the organization and put everything in one place. It wasn’t until later that I realized I needed a separate Google account with more storage for photo backups.
The problem was that I had been backing up to a different Google Photos account all along, and changing it didn’t seem very easy. Unlike other Google services like the Play Store or Gmail, where switching accounts is just a swipe away, Google Photos doesn’t simplify it.
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Signs You Need a New Google Photos Backup Account
You might want to change your default Google Photos backup account for various reasons, such as:
Check Which Account You’re Currently Backing Up to
You can check this from the Google Photos app settings. Tap yourprofile picturein the top right corner, then tapPhotos Settings>Backupto see which account you’re currently backing up to.
Google Photos also lets you quickly change the account from which you’re viewing photos by tapping yourprofile picture in the top right corner andchoosing any accountsthere. However, this only changes the account you’re viewing photos from, not the one you’re uploading to.
Choose a Different Default Account for Google Photos Backup
To change the Google account you’re using to back up your photos and videos, follow the steps below:
1.Open the Google Photos app on your phone.
2.Tap yourprofile picturein the top right corner. verify the account you want to use for backups is selected.
3.Tap on yourprofile pictureagain and choosePhotos settings>Backup.
4.UnderAccount and storage, tap your current account.
5.You will see a list of available accounts. Select the one you want to use for backups.
Your phone will now start backing up photos and videos to your new account, as shown in the screenshot above.
If you seeonlyyour current account here:The account you want to use might not be listed because you haven’t added it to your device yet. To add it, go to your device settings underAccounts. Once the account is added, it should appear in Google Photos.
If the account still doesn’t appear at all:If the account is already on your phone but doesn’t show up in the list, it’s likely because it hasn’t been used with the Photos app. Tap your profile picture in the top right corner and switch to that account. Back up at least one photo to ensure it’s registered. Then, return to settings and change the backup account.
Transfer Photos from Your Old Google Account to Your New One
After changing your default backup account, you may want totransfer your old Google Photosto the new account. Here’s how:
1. Easy Transfer if All Photos Are on Your Phone
If the current phone is the first device you used to back up photos to Google Photos, and all those photos are still on your phone and haven’t been deleted, you don’t need to transfer photos between accounts.
Simply change your default backup account (as shown in the guide above), and Google Photos will back up all the photos on your phone to the new account.
2. Use Shared Albums for Fewer Photos
If you only need to transfer a bunch of photos and videos, useShared Albums:
3. Use Partner Sharing if You Have Too Many Photos
If you have too many photos to move, usePartner Sharing:
4. Use Google Takeout to Transfer Everything at Once
If you want to transfer everything from your old Google Photos account to the new one, useGoogle Takeout feature:
you’re able to upload the photos to your new account from the Google Photos website or mobile app. I prefer thedesktop methodbecause it allows you to manually select and upload all the photos from the Takeout folder at once.
5. Third-Party Platforms
Several third-party apps and tools, such as MultCloud, allow you to transfer your backed-up photos and videos from one Google account to another. However, I generally don’t prefer or recommend these because these platforms can access your photos, which could be a privacy concern.
Avoid this option entirely if you have sensitive media in your Google Photos account.
Switching Accounts in Google Photos
In short, simply tapping your profile picture and choosing another account (or swiping) in Google Photos only changes the account you’re viewing photos from. You’ll see photos from that account plus those stored locally on your phone.
To change your default backup account, you must do so within Google Photos settings. Once you’ve changed your backup account, you can also transfer your existing photos and videos to this new account using the methods described in this guide.
Ritik Singh
With over 7 years of experience in tech, Ritik currently heads content at Techwiser.com. His journey started by sharing knowledge and helping others in online communities. That passion soon turned into a career in tech journalism, backed by a formal education in Electronic Media. He’s held editorial roles at GadgetsToUse and PC-Tablet, and has contributed to popular publications like HowToGeek and TheWindowsClub. With over 2,000 how-tos, reviews, and in-depth guides under his belt, Ritik has helped millions of readers get more out of their tech—from smartphones to smart homes.
