Find photos and videos

Photos/videos you took

To search for photos or videos:

  1. Open the Photos app.
  2. Touch Search, then in the search box, type a search term, such as a location or person's name.

Make sure back up and sync is on. You can only search backed up photos.

To browse for photos or videos:

  1. Touch > Gallery.
  2. From the left edge of the screen, swipe right to open the menu. Or touch .
  3. Touch the view you want:

    • Camera roll: view photos and videos captured on your phone.
    • Albums: View all by type. You'll see albums for screenshots, downloads and third-party media apps.
    • Highlight Reels: view highlights from your photos, by date.
    • Videos: view videos you've taken and highlight reels you've saved.
    • People: view by person when you enable face recognition.
  4. Touch a thumbnail to open the photo or video.
TipTo go to the Gallery from an open image or video, touch the screen, then touch .

Photos/videos from text messages

To find photos you've saved from text messages:

  1. Open the Photos app.
  2. Touch Library.
  3. Touch the name of your messaging app. (Swipe left if needed.)

Photos/videos from WhatsApp, Instagram and other apps

  1. Open the Photos app.
  2. Touch Library.
  3. Touch the name of the app. (Swipe left if needed.)

Missing photos/videos

If you're having trouble finding photos or videos, read Google's support information.

Storage location

Photos and videos you've taken are stored on your phone (internal storage) or on your SD card, depending on your setting.

For either internal storage or the SD card, look in these folders.

FolderType of photo/video
DCIMTaken with Camera app
Pictures/PhotosEditorYour edited photos. Also check DCIM for edited photos.
Pictures/ScreenshotsScreenshots
Pictures/[app]Saved from messages or photo sharing apps