Google Photos API

API

Integrate Google Photos media management & sharing into your apps

Overview

The Google Photos API enables developers to integrate Google Photos' media management into apps via RESTful endpoints. Responses are JSON-formatted. Key endpoints include mediaItems (list, get, search), albums (create, add media), sharedAlbums (join, leave), and library operations. It supports filtering media by date, location, or content type, plus metadata extraction (EXIF, geotags). Use cases: build auto-backup tools, create custom photo albums, share media with users, sync photos across devices, or analyze media metadata. Authentication uses OAuth 2.0 for secure user data access.

Example Integration (JavaScript)

script.js JS


fetch('https://developers.google.com/photos')
  .then(res => res.json())
  .then(data => console.log(data))
  .catch(err => console.error(err));

Key Features

RESTful Architecture
JSON Response Format
OAuth 2.0 Authentication
Media Item Management
Album Creation & Sharing
Metadata Extraction
Batch Operations

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is the Google Photos API free to use?

Yes, it provides free quota tiers (e.g., up to 10,000 requests per project daily). For higher usage volumes, you can upgrade to paid plans through Google Cloud.

? Does the Google Photos API require authentication?

Yes, it uses OAuth 2.0 to securely access user-specific Google Photos data. An API key is also needed for non-user-specific operations like checking quota.

? What response format does the Google Photos API use?

All API responses are in JSON format, including media metadata, album details, and pagination information for large result sets.

Top Alternatives

Amazon Photos API Search Google

Apple Photos API Search Google

Dropbox Media API Search Google

Tool Info

Pricing Freemium

Category Photography

Platform Public API

Pros

⊕ Reliable Google Infrastructure
⊕ Comprehensive Media Tools
⊕ High-Resolution Media Support
⊕ Seamless Google Account Integration
⊕ Batch Processing for Large Datasets

Cons

⊖ Requires OAuth 2.0 Setup
⊖ Quota Limits on Requests
⊖ No Direct Media Editing
⊖ Limited to Google Photos Ecosystem