Are you experiencing trouble playing videos downloaded from Google Photos, especially on devices like your Mac? Many Google Pixel users have encountered this frustrating issue where downloaded videos fail to play correctly, exhibiting glitches or errors. If you’re facing this problem, you’re not alone, and thankfully, there’s a solution.
The issue often stems from a specific setting on Google Pixel phones related to video storage. Initially, users might suspect a problem with Google Photos itself or the download process. However, the root cause often lies in how Pixel phones store videos before they are even uploaded to Google Photos.
One user discovered that the “efficient storage” option within the Google Pixel camera settings is the culprit. When this setting is enabled, videos are saved in a format that, while space-saving, may not be universally compatible with all devices and platforms. This can lead to playback problems when you download these videos from Google Photos to your computer or try to use them on other online platforms.
The solution is straightforward: disable the “efficient storage” setting in your Google Pixel camera app. Here’s how you can do it (steps might slightly vary depending on your Pixel model and Android version, but the general principle remains the same):
- Open the Camera app on your Google Pixel phone.
- Navigate to Settings. This is usually accessible via a gear icon within the camera app interface.
- Look for Advanced settings, Video settings, or a similar menu option related to video recording.
- Find the “Efficient storage” or “Store videos efficiently” setting and turn it off. It might be described as saving space by using a more efficient video format.
By disabling this setting, your Pixel will record videos in a more widely compatible format, likely H.264 instead of HEVC when “efficient storage” is on. After making this change, record a test video and upload it to Google Photos. Then, download the video to your Mac or another device and check if it plays correctly. You should find that the playback issues are resolved.
While disabling “efficient storage” means your videos might take up slightly more space on your phone, it ensures smoother compatibility and avoids playback headaches when downloading from Google Photos. It’s important to note that this setting is within the Pixel camera app settings, and is separate from the “Storage Saver” setting in Google Photos itself, which compresses photos and videos after they are uploaded to the cloud. You can still use the “Storage Saver” in Google Photos to manage your cloud storage without impacting the video download playback issue, as the problem originates from the initial video recording format on your Pixel.
In conclusion, if you’re struggling to play videos downloaded from Google Photos after capturing them on your Google Pixel, adjusting the “efficient storage” setting in your camera app is a simple yet effective fix. This ensures your videos are recorded in a compatible format right from the start, resolving playback problems and streamlining your video workflow.
