How to Back Up Only New Photos on Your New Phone with Google Photos

If you're transitioning to a new phone and want to back up only the new photos taken on your new device, here's how you can set up Google Photos to do just that without downloading all your old photos. This way you can maintain a clear view of your recent memories while keeping your old photos safely stored.

Step 1: Install Google Photos App

Before we dive into the setup process, make sure you have the Google Photos app installed on your new phone. You can download it from the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store.

Step 2: Sign In to Google Photos

Open the app and sign in with your existing Google account. If you don't have one, you can create a new account or use an existing one you trust.

Step 3: Configure Backup Settings

Now let's configure the backup settings to only back up new photos:

Tap on your profile picture or initials in the top right corner to open the settings menu. Select Photos settings. Under Back up sync, ensure that the switch is turned on. Navigate to Back up device folders from the same menu. Here, you can choose which folders on your new device you want to back up. Ensure that only the folders containing the new photos are selected.

Step 4: Hide Old Photos (Optional)

If you want to avoid seeing your old photos:

Use the Archive feature in the Google Photos app to hide them from your main view. Alternatively, you can simply avoid accessing the old photos by not browsing the library or using a separate account, as described below.

Alternative Solutions

If the above methods don't suit your needs, consider these alternative solutions:

Option 1: Archive Old Photos to Google Drive

You can archive all your old photos to Google Drive before switching devices. This way, you retain the safety of your photos while maintaining a clean view on your new phone:

Archive all your photos from your old device to your Google Drive. As you start using your new device, you will only see the new photos taken on your new phone. You can still access the archived photos at any time if needed.

Option 2: Create a Separate Google Photos Account

Create a new Gmail account and a fresh Google Photos account:

Create a new Gmail account. Link this new Gmail account to a new Google Photos account on your new device. While you maintain access to your old account via your previous device, you can now use a separate account for your new phone. Google will verify that the account is yours, allowing you to switch between accounts in Gmail.

By following these steps, you can transition to a new phone with peace of mind, knowing that only new photos are being backed up, and old photos are safely archived or stored in a separate account.

Key Takeaways

Google Photos allows you to set up a custom backup that only includes new photos. Use the Back up device folders feature to control which photos are backed up. Consider archiving old photos or creating a separate Google Photos account to manage old and new photos effectively.

Implementing these strategies will help you maintain a clean and organized photo library, ensuring that you don’t accidentally access or clutter your old photos while enjoying your new device.