Google Photos may skip backing up RAW images to save space

Samsung phones can save captured images in the usual JPEG and HEIF formats, as well as, in the DNG format. While the first two are compressed, the third is uncompressed (also known as raw format). Raw photos offer more details and are easier to edit professionally compared to JPEG and HEIF.

However, RAW images are also very large in size compared to JPEG and HEIF. It means that if you are backing up pictures to Google Photos, the uncompressed images will take up a lot of your pricey cloud storage. Well, Google is working to fix that problem where Photos will not backup raw images.

Google's working of keeping RAW images from getting backed up to Google Photos

According to Android Authority, the latest version of the Pixel Camera app (version 9.8), has a string of code that says “Show option to turn on RAW+JPEG in the viewer. RAW files preserve details and offer more controls while editing. They take up more storage space. RAW photos will not be backed up by default.”

Earlier, the same string of code said “RAW photos will be backed up by default if automatic backup is enabled in Google Photos.” The publication also came across evidence which suggests that the app will place JPEG images in one folder and raw images into another folder in the device's storage to solve the problem.

Going by these strings of codes and evidence, it looks like Google is working on offering an option either in Android, in the Pixel Camera app, or in Google Photos to keep raw images or from backing up to Google Photos. This solution will save up a lot of your cloud storage, which doesn't come free.

Samsung phones will give you even more flexibility

Galaxy devices can save images in compressed and uncompressed formats simultaneously. That coupled with the feature Google is working on, the JPEG copy of an image can be backed up to Google Photos, allowing you to share it with people or on social media anytime from anywhere, whereas, the raw copy of that image will not be backed up to the cloud, saving space in Google Photos and allowing you to edit them professionally.

We hope that Google extends this feature to Samsung devices with either an update to Google Photos or Google Play System so that everyone can benefit from it and not just Pixel users.