How to Fix Google Photos Not Backing Up on Android and iPhone

“I tried to upload a photo of mine, but it got stuck on the uploading page. An endless notification that reads 'Uploading 1 item' keeps showing up. How to deal with this problem? Any advice for this Google Photos backup stuck?”

Google Photos is the home for all your photos and videos, which enables you to upload recent photos to free up more space on your mobile phone. Many of you may have encountered the Google Photos backup stuck problem. Generally, a notification like "Getting ready to backup", "Waiting for Sync", or "Preparing to backup xxx photos" may appear when you are using the Google Photos app on your phone.

Not backing up photos or being stuck on uploading photos can be annoying for loyal Google Photos users. But there is no need to worry about. In this post, we are going to share solutions for Google Photos stuck on backup issues on Android and iPhone.

Google Photos Backup Stuck Fix

Part 1. Why is Google Photos Stuck on Preparing Backup

It's pretty irritating when your pictures get stuck while uploading, and the app keeps displaying the message that the photo is loading. If you are getting Google Photos stuck on preparing backup', then it's because the app is struggling to process your files before uploading them to the cloud.

Some common reasons for this issue are: a slow/decent connection that is not allowing the Google Photos Backup to complete, or perhaps there is not enough free cloud storage available, as Google now does not allow you to have free unlimited storage, so once you have maxed out your quota, it will also stop uploading.

And also concerns such as corrupted cache files, outdated application versions, or power saving modes may disrupt background syncing. Sometimes, huge files or a multitude of uploads pending may be the culprit.

Knowing these problems may allow you to diagnose the problem more quickly and apply the correct fix, leading to properly functioning backups as soon as possible.

Part 2. How to Fix Google Photos Backup Stuck

If your pictures aren't syncing, there are quite a few easy ways to troubleshoot and get back to normal backup when you see errors, such as getting ready to back up Google Photos that are stuck.

Solution 1. Check Google Photos Backup Status (with Google One Storage Quota)

First things first, you should verify for yourself if the backup is actually turned on and whether your storage is running out. For example, the sync may have been stopped, or your Google mail account uses up its own storage, which is the case of the error message Google Photos backup stuck on iPhone and Android devices.

Step 1.
Open the Google Photos app on your device. Tap your profile icon at the top right.
Step 2.
Select Google Photos settings > Backup & Sync. Make sure Backup & Sync is turned ON. Check the backup status.
Turn On Backup
Step 3.
Return and either launch Google One or select Account storage. Review your available storage space. Upgrade your plan or remove any superfluous files if storage is full.
Select A Storage
Step 4.
To resume syncing, go back to Google Photos and select Back up now.

Once backup is active and storage is available, your photos should start uploading normally again.

Solution 2. Clear Cache and Application Data

If your Google Photos says "backing up 1 of xxx", you can go ahead to clear Google Photos cache. Clearing the cache and application data will remove the broken temporary files.

If you are using an Android phone, you should go to Settings > Apps > Photos, click CLEAR DATA/CLEAR CACHE to remove Google Photos cache on Android.

Clear Cache Android

If you are an iPhone user, you can go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage, scroll down to find Google Photos, and tap Delete App. This will delete this app, and all caches and data will be removed. After that, you can try installing this app again and see if the problem has worked out.

Delete Cache Iphone

Solution 3. Turn Off Power Saving Mode

Power saving mode reduces background activity to save power, which could prevent some apps, such as Google Photos, from uploading correctly. If your backup gets stuck, it is worth turning off to resume uploading.

Step 1.
Open the Settings app on your phone and tap Battery or Battery & Performance.
Step 2.
Find Power Saving Mode or Battery Saver and turn it OFF.
Turn Off Battery Saver
Step 3.
Go back to your apps and reopen Google Photos. Check if backup resumes automatically or tap Back up now.

Google Photos can operate in the background and continuously upload your files if you disable power saving.

Solution 4. Upload Photos and Videos Manually

If the Google Photos app gets stuck in uploading photos or videos, you can try backing them up manually. Here are detailed steps.

For Android users, find a photo or video you want to back up, and tap the upload icon to upload to Google Photos.

For iPhone users, open the Google Photos app and choose the photos or videos you want to back up. Click the three dots icon and select Back up to manually upload them to Google Photos.

Upload Photos Manually

Part 3. Backup Photos with Google Photos Backup Alternative

Google Photos is indeed a good tool to back up photos and videos. Since photos are taking up a large portion of space on our mobile phones, it is wise to free up space with Google Photos. Sometimes Google Photos still gets stuck in a backup status, even with the above 4 methods. Here, we have found a Google Photos alternative to help you save phone space and preserve memorable photos.

With more practical functions than Google Photos, Aiseesoft Android Data Backup & Restore provides you with a simple way to back up and restore Android photos, videos, messages, call logs, documents, etc. You can also preview data in detail on a Windows computer and a Mac.

Android Data Backup and Restore

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How to back up photos to a computer with a Google Photos alternative

Step 1.
Click the Free Download button to download Android Data Backup & Restore. Install and launch it on your computer. Click Android Data Backup & Restore to enter the main interface.
Android Data Backup Interface
Step 2.
Connect your Android phone to the computer via a USB cable, and tap OK to allow USB debugging.
Android Data Backup And Restore
Step 3.
Click Device Data Backup to selectively back up data. You can choose Gallery, Videos, Audio, Documents, Contacts, Messages, and Call logs, and click the Start button to start backup. You can also choose One-click Backup to back up all files on your Android phone directly.
Choose Data Type

This efficient backup tool offers an encrypted backup. If there is some private information, you can set a password for your backup. (See how to encrypt iPhone backup.)

Android Data Backup & Restore is specially designed for Android users. If you want to back up photos on your iPhone 17/16/15/14/13/12/11/XS/XR/X/8, you can rely on Aiseesoft iOS Data Backup & Restore to securely and quickly back up iPhone/iPad data.

Part 4. FAQs about Google Photos Backup Stuck

Question 1: Why does Google Photos say “waiting for Wi-Fi” even when I’m connected?

This may occur if the backup is limited to Wi-Fi and the connection is erratic. Consider moving to a different network or enabling mobile data backup in the settings.

Question 2: Why are only some photos backing up while others are skipped?

Some files may be stored in folders that weren't selected for backup, be too large, or be unsupported. Choose "Back up device folders" from the options to add every folder.

Question 3: Can I continue backup after clearing the app cache?

Yes. Cleaning your cache merely eliminates temporary files and can resolve syncing problems; it does not erase your photos or backup progress.

Conclusion

Now you are aware of 4 useful ways for Google Photos stuck on preparing backup fix that work on your Android Phone and iPhone after reading this guide. Just follow them to fix the syncing problem as well as enjoy your photo backup.

Optionally, if the issue persists, you may use Google Photos alternative Android Data Backup & Restorer to restore data on an Android phone without photos. Please let us know if you have any questions or if you need any assistance.

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Android Data Backup & Restore box

Provides a simple way to back up and restore all types of files like contacts, messages, call logs, gallery, videos, audio, etc. on your Android device safely and selectively.

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