Google took back one amazing feature which is Google Photos free unlimited storage from its latest generation Pixel phones for whatever reason. It’s disappointing for not only the prospective buyers but for the followers as well. It’s even more frustrating when iPhones are still getting this valuable feature and Google’s phones do not.

As uncovered by a Reddit user stephenvsawyer and reported by 9to5Mac, iPhone users enjoy unlimited storage of all of their photos at an original quality on Google Photos. But before you get envious of users from the iOS world, understand this. All the modern iPhones shoot photos in HEIC format, which is even smaller than Google’s compressed JPG files. Thus iPhones get free unlimited original quality backups.

On the other hand, the Pixel 4 series’ original photos are saved in a much higher size, thus it may go heavier on Google Photos cloud. The reason behind pulling back this amazing feature from its phones is still formally untold but this bigger size reason makes sense. It’s being also assumed that Google wants to push users on its new and rebranded Google One service and that’s why it has stopped offering unlimited storage options with Google Photos.

Interestingly, the original Pixel retains its lifetime free full quality backup while the Pixel 2 and 3 are set to lose this benefit in 2021.

If you are an iPhone user and would like to enjoy Google’s free unlimited feature on Google Photos then make sure you’re saving your pictures in HEIC format. If not then head over to the Settings and go to Camera then Format and select High Efficiency. Note that this only applies to photos and not with the videos.