Android users are gradually embracing cloud storage as a reasonable alternative to SD cards, which have long been the first choice for mobile phone storage expansion. In addition to the extra space, the Cloud gives you the chance to store photos in a location that is separate from your vulnerable smartphone.
Proper cloud services will also enable you to access your media files from all your smart devices. And, unlike in SD modules, where the need for more storage can only be fulfilled by buying a new card, you can expand your cloud easily by upgrading your subscription.
So, if you take a lot of photos with your smartphone, cloud storage that syncs automatically will keep all your pictures secure and accessible. Android has a host of paid and free cloud services that can be excellent for storing photos. All you have to do is know how to choose the one that will serve you best.
How to Pick A Suitable Cloud Storage Service to Backup Android Photos
Getting a great cloud storage solution for photos can be a challenge but knowing what to look for will make it much easier to sort through the pile.
1. Space
Although free services with unlimited storage exist, most utilities offer customers some space for free, after which payment is needed to upgrade your quota. Ideally, you’ll want to look for a cloud solution that provides a fair amount of storage for the price.
2. Functionality
In addition to space, it is also important to consider the level of functionality that the cloud service app offers. For instance, if you already have thousands of photos on your phone and would like to upload them to your new space in the cloud, you wouldn’t want an app that will force you to open the folder and select all the pictures in it one by one to upload them.
3. File Formats
Most services will accept common image formats like JPEG, PNG, and GIF, but if you’re planning to store less mainstream types like RAW or TIFF files, you’ll need a solution that offers enough flexibility.
4. Security
Whether you’re looking to save sensitive pictures about an upcoming product launch or just your every-day selfies, comprehensive security features are a must-have on your checklist. Although today’s increasingly sophisticated crop of cybercriminals makes it next to impossible to guarantee security on any digital storage utility, a feature like two-factor authentication or zero-knowledge encryption can significantly minimize the chances of an attack.
Top Free Cloud Storage Services for Backing Up Photos on Android
Finding a solution that meets all your requirements will be tricky, more so if you’re not willing to reach into your wallet. Nevertheless, the Android cloud market has more than a few free apps that, despite some notable downsides, could be excellent choices.
1. Google Photos
Arguably the best free cloud storage service for photos, Google Photos offers free, unlimited space for images whose resolution is 16 megapixels and below, and 15GB of space via Google Drive for higher-resolution pictures. The intuitive app allows you to set auto back-up to keep your media files accessible from any device, and you can also search for anything you store by typing the name of the person, place or thing that appear on the photo.
2. Flickr
The best thing about Flickr, besides the 1000GB of free space, is that it is designed for presenting your photos rather than merely storing them. Its interface displays your content in an enjoyable, attractive and interactive photo stream, which other users can follow and comment on your shots. Because Flickr displays pictures, however, you will only be able to upload JPEG, PNG and GIF files.
3. Microsoft OneDrive
Unlike Flickr, OneDrive isn’t designed solely for photographers. Nonetheless, what it lacks in the interface, it makes up in functionality. In addition to being straightforward to navigate, the app will integrate seamlessly with the office utilities you have on your phone or laptop, as well as other Microsoft applications, such as Arrow Launcher for Android. You can choose to upload your photos and videos automatically using Camera backup or manually, and it also works with Android Wear, in case you would like to be flicking through pictures from your wrist. OneDrive offers 5GB storage for free, beyond which you’ll need to pay some cash.
Honorable Mentions:
Google Photos, Flickr, and Microsoft OneDrive may be the top three best free cloud backup solutions for photos on the Android platform, but other reasonable options exist if you’re itching for something different.
For instance, while the 5GB that Sync.com’s free plan offers is nothing remarkable, the service gives you the chance to earn an extra 1GB of additional storage for every friend you refer, with no cap on the number of referrals you can make.
Amazon Prime Photos, on the other hand, provides free unlimited photo storage to Amazon Prime Subscribers, and also comes with some useful features for sharing pictures, including a folder called “Family Vault” that lets you create photo albums with family and friends.
Despite its relatively limited 2GB of free capacity, Dropbox is a favorite among professional Android users, thanks to its fast, intuitive and glitch-free app, as well as its wide range of business-focused tools, which make it easy to share pictures and collaborate. Box, another business-centric cloud storage app offers most of Dropbox features along with a more generous 10GB of free space.
Conclusion
Cloud storage, even a free subscription, can be exceedingly beneficial. It’s efficient, frees up your phone’s internal storage, and it’s far more reliable than a microSD card. If you don’t have a backup service for your photos, now is as good a time as any to get one.