Google officially ended the perk in 2021 for almost all devices, meaning uploads now count against your account’s storage. BUT there’s still a little-known exception that works in 2025 (Video Demo): the Google Pixel 1st Generation (2016) and the Google Pixel XL (2016).

If you own one of these devices, you can still enjoy unlimited, original-quality backups of all your photos and videos through Google Photos with no expiration date, no storage limits, and no hidden catches.

The only small catch is that you need to actually use the Pixel 1 device for the uploads. This means that while the storage itself is free, you must either already own a Pixel 1/XL or purchase one.

Can You Really Store Unlimited Pictures and Videos on Google Photos?

Yes. Google’s promise still stands untill today (20.09.2025) (Video Demo). If you use a first-generation Pixel or Pixel XL, any photos or videos uploaded through that device are stored in original quality and do not count toward your Google Drive storage quota.

This is different from later Pixel models, which only offered unlimited “High Quality” (compressed) storage and even that perk ended in June 2021. The Pixel 1 and Pixel XL remain special because of Google’s original lifetime guarantee.

To make this work, your uploads must pass through the Pixel 1 device. That means you should either:

  • Take photos/videos directly on the Pixel and let Google Photos automatically back them up.
  • Transfer photos/videos from another phone or computer to the Pixel, and then allow Google Photos on the Pixel to upload them. Once uploaded, they’ll appear in your Google Photos library, accessible on any device… unlimited and forever.

Why the Pixel 1 is Still Special

  • Lifetime Promise: When launched in 2016, Google marketed the Pixel 1 with unlimited, original-quality backups for life. Unlike later perks, this had no expiration date.
  • Original Quality Storage: Unlike “storage saver” mode, which compresses files, uploads from the Pixel 1 are preserved in their full resolution and quality.
  • No Quotas: These uploads don’t count against your 15GB free Google account storage or even paid Google One plans. It’s truly unlimited.
  • Still Active in 2025: Even though Google ended unlimited backups for most users, Pixel 1 owners can still enjoy this unique feature forever.

This makes the Pixel 1 more than just an old smartphone, it’s essentially a lifetime unlimited cloud storage key. The phone is getting expensive. I bought one for 80$ two years ago and now i can’t fine one cheaper than 150$. In the future maybe even more expensive.

How to Use a Pixel 1/XL as Your Unlimited Backup Device

  • Back up from your main phone: Use apps, cables, or wireless transfer to move photos/videos from your daily phone to the Pixel 1.
  • Upload from the Pixel: Open Google Photos on the Pixel and let it sync. The app will upload everything to your Google account in original quality.
  • Keep the Pixel online: Leave it connected to Wi-Fi with Google Photos running so uploads complete smoothly.
  • Use it like a hub: Treat your Pixel 1 as a dedicated “backup station” where all your media libraries funnel through before going into unlimited cloud storage.

Tricks and Creative Ideas

Here are some clever ways to take this further:

1. Multiple Google Accounts

You’re not limited to one account. You can sign into different Gmail accounts on the Pixel and upload different libraries. For example:

  • Account 1: Vacation photos and family videos
  • Account 2: Personal/private content
  • Account 3: Very large and long video files

Each account gets its own unlimited space, as long as uploads happen from the Pixel 1.

2. Turn the Pixel into a Media Server

Upload your favorite royalty-free content (movies, shows), or home videos to Google Photos via the Pixel. Then, generate share links and stream them anytime and anywhere, almost like a free Netflix-style server powered by Google.

You can even remove the battery and make the phone run forever, similar to this tutorial.

3. Use It for Website Storage

Running a blog or website with limited hosting space? You can upload large images and videos to Google Photos from your Pixel and then embed them on your site. This bypasses hosting limits while still offering fast, reliable delivery of your media.

4. Cheap Dedicated Backup Device

Since Pixel 1 devices are cheap on the second-hand market, you could even buy multiple and dedicate each one to different accounts or projects. Think of them as tiny unlimited-storage “keys.”

We are not responsible for any content you upload using this method. Think twice before uploading any material to the cloud you don’t have the rights for. We strictly prohibit the uploading of unlawful or unauthorized videos, images or files.