New Flash Frenzy deals for Monday have dropped
What app do you use for that?
What does the app do?
@DontNeedThis: Synchronises files in the folder of one phone to the other, where the folder is where the photos are kept and the other phone is then uploading to Google.
I have 2 original pixels v1 setup for this for mine and my wifes phone - using a tool simply Resilo Sync - its free and works well https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.resilio.sy…
I found Syncthing a bit less reliable personally - so its an alternative if you find the same.
Great system thou, must have backed up 100's of GB's of stuff via these phones since they started charging. Well worth the investment as I got the phones dirt cheap as started looking for a solution the minute they annouced the charge and there were stacks on gumtree etc for almost nothing.
@Meridianz: I nabbed mine from CeX for hundred bucks or so. Fearing the day when the Google Photos App stops working. May then need to go down the custom ROM route.
@tonyamazing: But if the app stopped working then surely its not free uploads for life as it says. So surely they have to keep the app support going ?
@fozzie: Sorry no idea as I dont use Iphones - Just search for some sort of syncing tool. May not be any as Iphones are so much more locked down.
@fozzie: I’ve used OneDrive from my iPhone into my pixel using similar software to mentioned above.
It was the last straw when they removed free pictures after using billions of images to hone their camera algorithms and replaced it with 200gb > 2tb!! So exploitative.
Moved to iOS.
Slightly off topic, I’ve a share album in Google Photos for my folks in the UK, caps out at 20k images, anyone found a way to keep auto uploading past this or automating into a part 2 folder, only option appears to move manually (once uploaded via OG pixel) into new folder.
@tonyamazing: Just out of curiosity, if you pay a $100 for the phone to get free/quota free uploads, doesn't that work out more than the cost to pay for Google One storage? Assuming the phone doesn't last forever.
@krouton24: I haven't really done the maths. It was more out of principle and an exercise of "can I do this?"
I'm already paying for Google One storage at the bottom tier. I suspect it would climb pretty quickly if I was uploading from my Samsung device. I'd definitely be passed the 100 GB tier and quite possibly past the 200 GB tier, putting me at A$12.49/month for 2 TB.
The content that gets uploaded via the Pixel will "never" go towards storage costs, and it's currently uploading uncompressed not-further-compressed videos of my kids. These videos are hundreds of megs, maybe even over a gig. And I have potentially hundreds of videos since I've started doing this. Not to mention all the high quality
I guess the argument would be different if I upload as "Storage Saver". I would probably still be at Tier 2 at A$4.39/month.
@tonyamazing: Do you think buying an OG Pixel is still worth it if you're paying much less for Google One storage? https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/710753
@rosco385: That's a fair option. Honestly I can't say if this is the true OzBargain way to maximise storage and minimise cost. I'm a tinkerer at heart so things like this interest me. It's hobby work.
@krouton24: Once your past 200gb the next capacity is 2TB, used to be $14.99 per month so you’ll go past $100 pretty quickly, also I don’t use my OG often, usually wait until there’s a mth or so to upload set it off then store half charged. Hoping it’ll last a while longer….
I was hoping some tech wiz could work out hosting the motherboard inside a pi box, I’ve no idea it’s even feasible?
I believe only Pixel 1 series get the unlimited Google Photos storage at Original OG quality.
Pixel 2 qualifies but it's only under Google's compression that you'll get unlimited storage for.
But those interested, you can set it up with syncthing as I detailed here:
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/640380
Hey just saw your set up - what did you mean when you said you don't specify any folders on G1 because you don't want any stuff coming back?
I set Syncthing to sync only folders from my main phone.
If you set folders on the Pixel, then it will sync those folders back to your main phone - Not ideal! So you only need to send photos/videos from main to Pixel and clear the pixel once every blue moon when it starts to get full.
@Bottom G: I never figured how to set that. What happens when the pixels is full and google photos wipes media on the device? It doesn't know what's already on Google photos and what's not?
Is there a setting to schedule say only last week's media?
@krisspy: It knows what's backed up to Google Photos since it also has a "free up space" feature which deletes pictures which are already saved! I've run it manually before so I don't know if it clears everything in one go, or just so there's enough room for more photos.
@The-Real Team Doge: As in syncthing know what's already on gphotos? If I sync my camera folder (close to 400gb full) how is syncthing gonna know what's new photos and what's old that needs to be copied to the pixel
hey mate, do you know if photos from from 2 google accounts can sync from 1 phone?
@tonyamazing: It give me only youtube, gmail and chrome to create a clone. Gphotos was not an option but I figured out a solution by creating a new user profile for the 2nd user. The limitation is that only 1 can work at a given time.
If we've already been uploading to Google Photos at the compressed option, is there any easier way of getting our photo collections backed up on max res other than downloading the whole Google Photos, then re uploading on a Pixel 1?
I'm not sure what are you asking
if you download photos that have been backed up in the "space saver" mode then they wont magically turn back to "max res"
That is a great idea! Would you mind sharing how you go about setting this up? Are you using the same Google account on your OG Pixel and your current Android phone?
As mentioned in another comment, I use an app called Syncthing. Both devices have the same Google account.
I've only set it up once so I can't remember the fine details but I believe I set up a Folder on the main shooter pointing at the DCIM folder (or whatever folder you wish to synchronise) as a "Send Only" with "Watch for changes" checked. Other details may not matter. Then on the Pixel Proxy I add a device by scanning a code generated on the main shooter. After than I think you need to enable the Pixel as a destination device in the Folder settings of the main shooter.
I periodically "free up space" on the main shooter first and then the same on the Pixel. I might be able "push" delete operations to the Pixel thereby only needing to perform the "free up space" task on the main shooter but I haven't figured that out.
My Pixel is only 64gb, so it can't hold all that many photos and videos. I'm considering adding a USB attached storage to the Pixel and moving the folder there so that there's less management, but it's not realyl that much of a pain point.
Edit: I found that Syncthing isn't always running and that my photos haven't uploaded in a while. Tweaking battery management settings may be able to fix it but I couldn't be bothered figuring it out. It was easier for me to set up Tasker on both devices to launch Syncthing on a schedule of midnight every day. Works well.
This is super helpful, thank you!
@eswes: Reading through my steps I realise that you can probably add the devices to each other first
I do this too. Syncs my phone and my wife's phone. Also spent several weeks manually transferring then deleting terrabytes worth of RAW photos from my Sony A7 and old Canon archives.
@0 0 0: Does it upload in real time/date image was taken or when it was copied/moved to pixel device?
@tonyamazing @Baka Baka @Meridianz
Hey you guys seem knowledgeable on this, sorry if this has been asked previously…
How would I go about downloading the content I currently have in Google photos (60gb) and reuploading via the pixel?
Also having two Google accounts (mine and my wife's) how can you sync both Google photo accounts to the pixel?
Thanks!
@Jolo: @BigLeviathan suggested Google Takeout. I ended up with 141 X 2 GB downloads. I haven't attempted to download yet.
Re-upload would be a very manual process for that much data, unless I attached external storage.
I haven't found a solution for multiple accounts.
@Jolo: I have never done what your asking in terms of downloading and reuploading - as I got in before they closed it so all my old stuff was grandfathered free (and thank god for that as it would have been in the TB's) - but it sounds possible, the biggest issue would be the storage available on the phone is quite limited depending on the model and a lot is used by the phone itself, I think my devices only at best have like 15-18gb free at any one time which is fine for most of the time. Google takeout will definitely let you get the stuff reasonably easy I have done that in the past.
When I want to put something on there not normally auto syncing - say photos or video from somewhere else, I just use Google drive ie put stuff in a google drive folder and then download it to the phone via the drive app with the Google photos app set to pick it up from downloads. Works fine. You could do that - it just would be in batches. Probably otherways but thats how I do it .
As for syncing 2 accounts - I have this need, but I just bought 2 phones so one each - this was the easiest option for me. I assume you could probably play around with accounts etc on the phone maybe - but i wanted as close to hands off as possible.
Worth pointing out that while the OG Pixel and Pixel XL still has unlimited Google Photos storage at full quality, the Pixel 2 XL here (and every other Pixel after the OG Pixel) only has unlimited storage at 'Storage Saver' quality
It's only Pixel 2 & 3 that get the unlimited at storage saver quality. Anything after that, you got jipped
@tonyamazing: Thanks for the clarification - I'm on a 4a 5G and definitely still get unlimited storage at Storage Saver quality 👍🏻
@tonyamazing: Oooh interesting, I was just basing it off the now evidently factually incorrect articles. Or elgoog was generous enough to expand the eligible lineup.
Maybe the Pixel 6 & 7's will be eligible as well in 10 years time when they're not supported & mostly all out of circulatory use.
I believe only Pixel 1 series get the unlimited Google Photos storage at Original OG quality.
Pixel 2 qualifies but it's only under Google's compression that you'll get unlimited storage for.
So is this true or not? Anyone know?
What's your set up for that?
I have a Pixel 2 and use nearby share to transfer photos from my Pixel 6 to Pixel 2, then delete from Pixel 6, and then Pixel 2 has auto sync from Downloads folder
Only issue is photos that are saved from Messenger lose their original date, and appear in my Photos the date it was uploaded from my Pixel 2 rather than the original date it was saved on my Pixel 6.
nvm just saw Baka's reply. Gonna try it later
Set up SyncThing to sync your phone both ways.
Note that you can even backup pics from laptop this way, the desktop client is quite good.
I've got mine rooted and installed Advanced Battery Controller (get from F-Droid) to stop charging at 80% to minimise the risk of getting a swollen battery.
I've also installed EX File Manager to act as a FTP server so I can copy things over as needed (also allows for remote deletion when on Pc). Syncthing is handy when doing mobile to mobile transfer.
Plenty of options to customise your setup. My next step is to find a compatible usb-c hub with power pass through which also has an Ethernet port.
Nice. I couldn't get battery management to work despite rooting the Pixel. I ended up getting a wifi plug and then using Tasker to send On and Off commands to the plug based on <50% and >60% battery.
I just got Google to replace my secondhand Pixel 1 that I bought off eBay. Despite it being 6 yrs old they still replaced due to swollen battery. They don't want liability of an explosion or fire.
I have a pixel 2 with a swollen battery, can I ask how you went about getting Google to fix yours? I feel like I keep going around in a loop on their support page.
@harshlaughter: I think it took a lot of escalation but just explain it is dangerous. I think I found a Google article as well that mentioned they would replace swollen batteries
Interesting, thanks for that! Will keep this in mind if my Pixel 1 starts to get fat from feeding off electricity all day and not moving
Does the pixel have to be turned on all the time to allow syncing to occur?
You only need it on when you want to sync things over to it and backed up onto google photos, otherwise it can be left off to conserve battery.
You can set up the sync to compare what's on the pixel and source phone and only transfer what's not already copied. (I find it easier to have a secondary folder on the source phone where you'd copy photos into to sync over, avoids the issue of accidentally syncing photos which have already been uploaded).
This is only for the first version of the Pixel, right? Not the 2nd one being sold here.
1st generation Pixel devices allow for unlimited full quality uploads, whereas Pixel 2 - 5 allow for unlimited "high quality / storage saver" uploads where Google compresses / resizes the uploads.
Why go to ask this trouble when custom ROMs can just fake being a pixel and get you the unlimited photos on your current phone? I had this on my OnePlus 6 until I retired it.
Probably because Google can easily detect this scenario but have chosen not to do anything about it… yet. Don't get too attached to your google account.
What's its name?
I thought they sunset their terms of service?
I'll need to dust off the pixel og in my filing cabinet.
It's good to see people find a creative way to centralise the photos backup to Google photos.
What will be the best way to extract photos out of Google photos to other backup media such as NAS or backblaze?
Google provides takeout method, but it's manual and cumbersome
What android version is pixel 2 running ?
11 Last security Oct 5 2020
FYI Volte not working on Vodaphone , but worked fine on Tesltra wholesale - even sent sms unlike wifes 3
There's a bug with the Pixel 3
Telstra Wholesale doesn't do SMS over 4G at the moment - even though calls do.
Most phones will try SMS over 4G, and when it fails, send it over 3G
The Pixel 3 has a bug where it'll never try and fall back and send over 3G if it fails over 4G.
Wholesale is supposed to get SMS over 4G at some point this year….
Isn't that a bug with Telstra really?
@ShouldIBuyIt: The bug only seems to affect the Pixel 3; all other phones seem to gracefully fall back to 3G to send SMS if 4G isn't available.
Be warned, the Pixel 2 is several years out of software support.
What if we use 3rd party rom?
Yes you can
For those that may not know, Pixel 2 are no longer supported and do not receive any updates
I am not sure about the battery in the p2, even it's brand new. It's been several years now. I did have the p2xl and I like it so much.
Mines still going strong 😀
Can always put after market rom to give more life
Pixel 2 was such a perfect phone. In hindsight I would have replaced the battery instead of upgrading to a Pixel 6.
My 2 XL is still going strong, just about to transfer to my Pixel 7 Pro.
I thought it'd keep it as a spare, barely worth selling for $100 😂
It does everything I want, just upgraded because it's been 5+ years.
So it's 7.5w, right. Not 10w?
Specs on other sites are pointing towards 10W charging speed compared to the 7.5W eBay deal that I linked in the description
I don't know if I can trust their description. They said pixel 2 xl has wireless charging on their site. Which it doesn't
Every phone camera is a gangsta until pixel 2 enters room
Those Soundcore Life any good?
Any feedback on the earbuds ?
Hey guys I ha a question.
Would the pixel 2 be a better phone then my OPPO Reno z
Have a Oppo A52 as a backup phone, tested it and ended up using it over the Samsung A30, Oppo phones are generally decent units.
A search engine is your friend!
https://www.google.com/search?q=pixel+2+vs+oppo+reno+z&rlz=1…
Yes it would be better; whether it's worth it or not is a different question
See other comments on end updates /rom etc.
Not sure how they get all this really old stock. Other products such as JBL speakers (with micro USB!) had flat batteries you couldn't even charge. I won't be surprised if this isn't the same.
All lithium-ion/lithium polymer batteries will not charge if completely flattened, you have to connect another low current battery or Lab PSU set to a suitable current and voltage to the flat battery to get a enough current in them for the charging system to recognise the battery, which is rubbish on these not so easily accessed phone batteries.
I would rather use the money to buy Google drive storage instead of buying an old phone.
What's that got to do with people that need a cheap good quality phone with an awesome camera though.
Fantastic phone, had the 1 and the 2, stopped buying them as the Lithium Polymer batteries swell and destroy the screen after about 2 yrs, and I'll keep a phone for as long as it still works, hopefully these have new batteries.
Mine is over 5 years? No issue
But I had this with my Sony Z2 or X2
It just stopped working, but screen was lifting over a period of time and it basically doesn't charge anymore or turn on.
Do you know if they replace the battery I can get it working to save all old photos?
The screen lifting is the battery swelling! I live Far North Qld, it's hot, lithium Polymer is not you friend up here!
Don't bother replacing the bat, every component has a digital serial number and if parts are replaced the thing won't boot, found out the hard way!
All your photos are backed up to your google account unless you changed that setting.
I'm in SA
This is on my old Sony Z2 or X2.
It's not my Pixel 2.
I don't back up anything online, this Sony is 6-8 years old.
Contact google. They will replace under warranty. Accepted my eBay order email as proof of purchase. Mine was secondhand.
Typing this on Pixel 2 XL. Still a great phone, does eventing I need, keep saying I'll get the next Pixel, but here we are. Definately don't be put off by its age if you're after a quality phone on a budget.
Pixel devices work well as a Google Photos free upload proxy. I have an OG Pixel XL that lives in a cupboard whose sole purpose is to upload my photos to Google.