4 Fixes for Google Photos Unable to Save Changes Error

Sodiq has written thousands of tutorials, guides, and explainers over the past 3 years to help people solve problems relating to Android, iOS, and Windows devices. He also enjoys reviewing consumer tech products (smartphones, smart home devices, etc.) and previously worked with GearBest in that capacity.

Paurush dabbles around iOS and Mac while his close encounters are with Android and Windows. Before becoming a writer, he produced videos for brands like Mr. Phone and Digit. On weekends, he is a full-time cinephile trying to reduce his never-ending watchlist, often making it longer.

Basic Fixes

Fix 1: Uninstall Updates and Reinstall Google Photos

Check that theGoogle Photos appinstalled on your device is up-to-date. Some versions of the app had bugs that prevented images from being edited and saved, particularly on SD cards. Google’s new app updates should fix these bugs.

Step 1:OpenSettings > Apps > Google Photos.

Step 2:Tap thethree dotsat the top right and selectUninstall updates.

Step 3:CloseSettingsand openPlay Storeto reinstall the Google Photos app.

Fix 2: Modify Background Battery & Data Usage

For some reason, refusing Google Photos background access to your device’s internet and battery could cause some features of the app to malfunction. We found that some users could eliminate the “Unable to save changes” error by enabling Background data usage and disabling Background restriction for Google Photos.

Enable Background Data Usage

Step 1:OpenGoogle Photos app info>Mobile data and Wi-Fi.

Step 2:EnableUnrestricted Data Usage.

Disable Background Restriction

OpenGoogle Photos app info>Battery> selectUnrestricted.

Temporarily disabling Battery Saver could also help fix this issue. You can turn off the Android Battery Saver from the notification panel or by navigating toSettings>Battery>Battery Saver>Turn Off Now.

Fix 3: Modify Storage Location

We also discovered that this error majorly affects images stored on external storage (SD card). Luckily, there are two workarounds. First, configure the app’s storage location to your device’s internal storage. See method #5 for the second workaround.

Follow the steps below to change the Google Photos storage location.

Step 1:OpenGoogle Photos > profile icon > Photos Settings.

Step 2:SelectSD Card Accessand tap onGet Started.

Step 3:Tap thehamburger menu iconand select yourphone’s name/internal storage.

Step 4:Finally, tap theAllow Access to [Phone Name]button and tapAllowon the confirmation prompt.

That will give the Photos app access to your device’s internal storage and subsequently store edited photos in the said location.

Fix 4: Move Images From SD Card to Internal Storage

This is another effective troubleshooting fix for Google Photos ‘Unable to save changes’ error. Since the app won’t edit images on the SD card, moving the image(s) you want to edit from the SD card to your device’s internal storage will do the trick. Here’s how to do it.

Step 1:Launch theFiles appand select theimageorimage folderyou want to move.

Step 2:Tap thethree-dotted menuicon at the top right and tapSelect all.

Step 3:Tap thethree-dotted menu iconagain and selectMove to.

Step 4:Finally, selectInternal Storageand wait for the images to be moved.

Tip:Refer to our post if theGoogle Photos Save to Device feature is not working.

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Last updated on 07 August, 2024

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