TL;DR
A long-time Google Photos user says the service has declined: an increasingly cluttered interface, intrusive AI features, slower search and performance, and squeezed storage tiers pushed them to switch. They exported their library and tried alternatives including OneDrive, a lightweight local gallery fork, and self-hosted Nextcloud.
What happened
Parth Shah, a technology analyst and long-time Google Photos user, says he has decided to stop using the service after growing frustration with its direction. He describes a shift from a simple gallery-and-cloud app to one dominated by AI-driven features and highlighted reels the user did not request. Basic editing tools and local folder access were moved behind multiple menus as Google emphasized a single unified cloud timeline. Performance has also degraded for him: with thousands of images and years of 4K video in his library the app shows lag pulling thumbnails, slows searches and stresses his phone. Subscription structure compounded the issue — after reaching a 200GB cap he found no reasonable intermediate plan and felt compelled to buy a much larger 2TB tier. He exported his collection and migrated to alternatives that include OneDrive, an offline open-source gallery fork called Fossify, and a self-hosted Nextcloud instance.
Why it matters
- User experience can deteriorate when product focus shifts from core functionality to AI showcases, affecting basic tasks like browsing and editing.
- Performance problems with large media libraries can turn a convenience tool into a source of friction for long-term users.
- Storage tier design (lack of mid-range options) can push users toward more expensive plans or competing services.
- Available alternatives — cloud services bundled with other subscriptions, lightweight local apps, and self-hosting — give users different trade-offs for cost, privacy and convenience.
Key facts
- The author says Google Photos moved from a gallery-first approach to one emphasizing AI-powered highlights and features.
- Basic editing controls and direct access to local device folders were moved deeper into menus, according to the writer.
- With a large library including years of 4K video, the author reports laggy thumbnail loading, slower searches and higher device load.
- After exceeding 200GB, the author found no intermediate paid tier (such as 500GB or 1TB) and was offered a 2TB plan instead.
- The author describes being forced to pay for substantially more storage than needed — referenced as 1,500GB of unused space — to avoid service limits.
- OneDrive (via Microsoft 365) is presented as a cheaper cloud alternative with 1TB included and auto-camera upload plus PC integration.
- Fossify Gallery, a fork of Simple Gallery, is cited as a lightweight, open-source, offline gallery option focused on folder-based access.
- Nextcloud is mentioned as a self-hosted private-cloud option that requires setup effort but offers more control over storage and access.
- Migrating away from Google Photos was called a large project by the author but resulted in clearer control over data and access.
What to watch next
- Whether Google responds to user complaints about navigation, performance and storage tiers: not confirmed in the source
- Adoption or product updates from alternatives such as OneDrive, Fossify Gallery and Nextcloud that improve migration or feature parity
- User feedback on long-term reliability and convenience of self-hosted solutions versus mainstream cloud offerings: not confirmed in the source
Quick glossary
- Google Photos: A cloud-backed photo and video management app from Google that offers backup, search, editing and AI-driven organization.
- OneDrive: Microsoft’s cloud storage service that integrates with Windows and, when bundled with Microsoft 365, typically includes 1TB of storage.
- Nextcloud: An open-source platform for running a self-hosted cloud, allowing users to store and manage files on their own hardware.
- Fossify Gallery: A fork of Simple Gallery referenced as a lightweight, offline, open-source gallery app that emphasizes folder-based access.
- Self-hosting: Running servers or services on your own hardware or rented machines instead of relying on third-party cloud providers, often trading ease of setup for greater control.
Reader FAQ
Why did the author leave Google Photos?
They cite a cluttered interface, intrusive AI features, poorer search performance, lag on large libraries and unfriendly storage tiers.
Which alternatives did the author try?
OneDrive (via Microsoft 365), Fossify Gallery (an offline open-source fork), and a self-hosted Nextcloud instance.
Is migrating away from Google Photos simple?
The author describes the migration as a 'massive project' and necessary cleanup; step-by-step details are not provided in the source.
Are there mid-range storage plans between 200GB and 2TB?
According to the author, Google did not offer 500GB or 1TB tiers and the next option presented after 200GB was a 2TB plan.
I'm finally giving up on Google Photos, here's why Credit: Lucas Gouveia / Android Police | PeopleImages / Shutterstock By Parth Shah Published 14 minutes ago Parth is a technology analyst…
Sources
- I'm finally giving up on Google Photos, here's why
- Google Photos Is Too Creepy
- Overwhelmed by software subscriptions? Let's fix that
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