How to Upload Files to Google Drive, Amazon, and Dropbox

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If you take a lot of photos on your smartphone/digital camera or are considering digitizing vintage photos, cloud storage is a great option for keeping images safe. Cloud storage also allows you to access and share photos with family and friends from any device with an internet connection, whenever you wish. A growing number of cloud storage options are available, so learning the basics of each is advised before making a decision. Below is a summary of key features of Google Drive/Photos, Dropbox, and Amazon Photos and answers to frequently asked questions, such as how to move pictures to cloud storage.

How to Upload Photos to Google Drive

From a computer: Visit photos.google.com, click Upload > Computer or Google Drive on the top right, find and select your photos, and then click upload.

How to Save Photos in Google Photos

  • Open the Google Photos app and tap on the menu icon (three lines) on the top left corner
  • Tap on Settings
  • Tap on Back up & and sync
  • Toggle the Back up & sync switch to the on position

How to Save Photos in Google Drive

  • Launch the gallery app (e.g. Google Photos) from your home screen or from the app drawer
  • Tap the photo you'd like to upload to Google Drive; or tap, hold, and select multiple photos to upload
  • Tap the share button (typically at the top of the screen) - this resembles a right-facing 'V' with dots on each point
  • Tap Save to Drive

How to Share Photos in Google Drive

With the Google Photos app, you can share a photo in a conversation or create a shared album by opening the app and signing into your Google Account on your android device. Follow these next steps for each method:

Conversation

  • Select a photo, album, or video
  • Tap Share
  • Under "Send in Google Photos," select people with whom you wish to share
  • To share with one person, tap their name
  • To find someone specific, tap Search and then enter their name, phone number, or email address
  • To share with more than one person, select multiple people
  • An optional step is to add a message to accompany photos
  • To share, tap Send

Shared Album

  • Tap Photos, located on the bottom
  • Select photos or videos for the album
  • Tap Add, located on the top
  • Tap Shared album
  • Enter an album title
  • After you complete the album, tap Share
  • Select people with whom you wish to share the album

Google Drive Storage capacity: Althohow_to_upload_files_to_google_drive_amazon_and_dropboxugh you get 15GB space for free, that’s spread across Google Drive, Gmail (including spam), and Google Photos. It’s easy to eat up space quickly when you upload high-resolution photos.

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Dropbox for Photos

If you wish to sync across multiple devices, install the Dropbox app on all computers, phones, and tablets, then sign in to the same Dropbox account from each and add files to Dropbox folder(s).

How to Upload Photos to Dropbox

Now that everything is synced, the uploading method is similar. Follow these steps when you use the mobile app:

  • Open Dropbox on your phone
  • Open the Dropbox folder where you'd like to store your photos
  • Tap the + (plus) icon at the bottom of the screen
  • Choose Upload Photos
  • Tap the photos you wish to upload
  • Tap the folder icon (Android) or Next (iOS), and select where you'd like the files added
  • Tap Set location
  • Tap Upload

How to Share Photos on Dropbox

  • Dropbox photo sharing is available via email or by sharing a link to the folder via text message or email from Android, iOs, or Windows devices. To share photos via email, follow these steps:
  • Tap the Files icon at the bottom of the screen (or tap ..., then Files on Windows)
  • Find the file or folder you wish to share
  • Tap the ... (ellipsis) icon below the file or folder
  • Tap Share
  • Enter the name or email address of the recipients
  • Add a message if you wish, then tap Share (or Send Invitation on Windows)

Dropbox storage capacity: A free account includes 2GB total to upload and store photos, videos, docs, and any other files in the Dropbox cloud. Dropbox Plus provides 2TB (2,000GB) while Professional boosts that by 1TB (3,000GB), thereby greatly expanding the capacity of Dropbox for photo storage.

Dropbox vs Google Photos

  • Dropbox was designed primarily as a business platform to store and share documents, not photos per se, whereas Google Photos was designed exclusively for photos and videos. As such, Google supports many formats including GIFs but no other types of files (e.g. WORD docs). The Google Photos app includes a powerful photo editor and artificial intelligence for organizing images.
  • Upgrades on Google Photos are more numerous and affordable than the two upgrades currently available on Dropbox.
  • Google Photos supports high quality and original quality images, but only the first option qualifies for storage up to 15GB. Moreover, the images are compressed up to 16MP and videos up to 1080p resolution. Dropbox only offers 2GB storage.
  • Dropbox restricts the number of devices to three, while Google Photos allows you to use an unlimited number of devices at the same time.
  • Dropbox provides superior file management, offering the ability to organize images in folders and subfolders versus only albums with Google Photos.

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How to Use Amazon Photos

You can download the Prime Photos app for Android or iOS devices. Once you install and run the app, you need to log in with your Amazon credentials. Tap allow “Prime Photos” to access photos on your device.

How to Upload Amazon Photos

You can allow the app to automatically upload all your photos or select photos to upload manually. When prompted, click “OK” to start the upload process immediately, or “Not Now” to explore the app first before deciding which pictures to upload.

How to Share Photos on Amazon

Amazon photo sharing via email, Facebook, or Twitter is easy to accomplish following these steps:

  • Go to Prime Photos
  • Select the photos and videos you wish to share
  • Click Share
  • Select the method you want to use to share them; either email or a direct link
  • Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the sharing process

Storage capacity: Amazon Prime photo storage includes unlimited full-resolution photos and 5GB video storage. Non-Prime customers receive 5GB photo and video storage combined.

Amazon vs Google Photos

  • Amazon offers free unlimited storage for both JPEG and RAW photos if you're a Prime Member, while Google offers free storage up to 15GB if you don’t mind photos being downsized, which means no RAW files.
  • The Amazon Photos app can automatically sync photos from your main library if you choose, eliminating worrying about doing so manually.
  • Google upgrades are more cost-effective if you need less than 100GB, while Amazon Prime is a better deal if you need a TB or more of storage space.

Whatever option you choose to store digital memories, rest assured that ScanCafe provides easy integration with all these platforms. We’re dedicated to helping you preserve precious memories – from providing the highest quality scanning services available – to offering versatile ways for you to access files after they’re digitized.

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