To change which account Google Photos backs up to, open the Google Photos app, tap your profile picture, go to Photos settings > Backup, and tap Backup account. Choose another signed-in Google account, or add one. New photos and videos then back up to that account. Photos already backed up to the old account stay there; they don’t move automatically.
Quick Answer
Google Photos > profile picture > Photos settings > Backup > Backup account > pick an account.
Change the Backup Account
- Open Google Photos on your phone.
- Tap your profile picture (top right), then Photos settings.
- Tap Backup.
- Tap Backup account and choose a different account. If it’s not listed, add it first from the profile menu.
Google changes menu labels occasionally. If you don’t see Backup account, turn backup off, switch to the other account from the profile menu, and turn backup on there.
What Happens to Your Existing Photos
| Photos | Where they end up |
|---|---|
| Already backed up to the old account | Stay in the old account |
| New photos after switching | Back up to the new account |
| Photos on the phone never backed up | Back up to the new account |
Move or Share Old Photos
- Partner sharing: Share your library with another account and have it saved automatically (profile picture > Photos settings > Sharing).
- Google Takeout: Download the old library and upload it to the new account.
- Another cloud: See moving Google Photos to OneDrive.
You can also edit a video from Google Drive with Photos.
Troubleshooting
- New account runs out of storage: Each account has its own storage quota. Check storage in the profile menu.
- Want to stop using the app with an account? See signing out of Google Photos.
- Work or school account won’t back up: Your administrator may have turned off Google Photos.
Related: Back up Google Photos.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I back up to two accounts at once?
No. Only one backup account per device at a time; use partner sharing to copy to another account.
Does switching delete anything?
No. Nothing is deleted from either account.
Summary
- Profile picture > Photos settings > Backup.
- Tap Backup account and choose the new account.
- Old backups stay in the old account.
- Use partner sharing or Takeout to move old photos.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.