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. Open the Photos app.

  2. Do one of the following:

    • To scroll through photos and videos by date, touch Photos.
    • To view photos and videos stored on your phone, touch Collections.
  3. Touch a thumbnail to open the photo or video.

To learn more, touch your profile icon > Help & Feedback in the Photos app.

Photos/videos from text messages

To find photos you've saved from text messages:

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

Photos/videos from WhatsApp, Instagram, other apps

  1. Open the Photos app.
  2. Touch Collections.
  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.

Folder Type of photo/video
DCIM Taken with Camera app
Pictures/PhotosEditor Your edited photos. Also check DCIM for edited photos.
Pictures/Screenshots Screenshots
Pictures/[app] Saved from messages or photo sharing apps