Like many, I relied on Google Photos for years. It was my essential solution to save precious memories. However, Google Photos has become swollen and feels slower. Even simple tasks such as access to the files of devices such as screenshots require several taps. This is where Microsoft’s recent youthful treatment on Android and iPhone drew my attention. Being a Microsoft 365 subscriber, I decided to try it. The trip has revealed surprising advantages and an appropriate photo storage solution for my workflow.
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The previous OneDrive application on Android was at best basic. It was similar to Dropbox, Box, Google Drive and other traditional cloud storage services. Like its web application, OneDrive Mobile focused on managing files and folders, and the integration of the media felt a reflection afterwards.
The last Cure de Jouvence OneDrive looks like a breath of fresh air. With his mobile experience first photos, OneDrive gives life to your favorite memories. The application acts as a gallery, putting your photos and videos before and in the center instead of hiding them under endless files. Like Google Photos, there is a dedicated tab for your top to check your memories. In addition, accessing your albums and your favorites is only a scan, which is intuitive.
Flexible backup options
Like Google Photos, OneDrive offers several options to save your memories. You can include or exclude videos, save data on Wi-Fi only and import photos and cloud files from other cloud services.
My favorite additional module is the possibility of saving only during the load. This functionality changes the situation to keep the life of the battery, especially when I am on the move. I can capture a day of photos without battery concern, and the photos download when the device is connected.
OneDrive has several complementary modules reflected to level the organization of the media. I can create albums, mark photos and videos as favorites for easy access and save them for offline use. With the backup of the camera, I can exclude several files of devices such as screenshots, WhatsApp, etc.
There is also an option to organize the media downloaded by year and month. In this way, I can go to the photos of the photos, choose a year and find my photos and videos in the files of the month. Like Google Photos, OneDrive allows you to free up space on your device by cleaning the supports downloaded with a single tap.
Microsoft also offers a safety feature that locks OneDrive with biometrics. He hides my media library, my files and my Prying Eyes folders.
Here is where OneDrive surprised me. Most cloud suppliers offer basic editing tools and one day call it. However, OneDrive is one step ahead with thoughtful integrated tools. I can change orientation, resize the images, crop them, adjust the brightness, exposure and contrast, and apply a catchy filter to create a trendy image.
There are also several marking tools. My favorite editing tool is the background blur. He adds a vague portrait to the images and, according to my experience, he works as announced. OneDrive may not include all the editing features available on Google Photos, but it provides a range of tools that should be sufficient for the most part.
Personal integration of the safe
The personal safe is one of the reasons why I prefer OneDrive to its rivals. This feature proved to be invaluable to protect my most sensitive and private photos. The personal safe is a protected area within your OneDrive which requires a second layer of identity verification, such as a pin, a fingerprint or facial recognition.
This additional security guarantees that even if someone has access to my general OneDrive account, my most personal images remain locked. For me, it meant having peace of mind regarding sensitive documents, private family photos and other confidential visuals. Google Photos has a similar functionality called locked folders, but Microsoft’s implementation is better.
Windows OneDrive Configuration on Windows
I use a Windows desk fueled by AMD and an HP Specter X360 in my workflow. With Google Photos, I have to use its web version to access my media library downloaded from the desktop. However, this is not the case with OneDrive. It is integrated into the office bone. For example, I can open Microsoft photos on Windows and check all my OneDrive photos and videos. Likewise, all my OneDrive library is just a click in the File Explorer menu.
My photos, in my own way, with OneDrive
My passage from Google Photos to OneDrive was positive. He offered a more integrated and manageable photo storage solution in my Microsoft 365 environment. While Idrive gets the right bases, it is not without oddity. The new application, although promising, still has room for improvement. The research fueled by AI has been a disappointment because it does not work half the time. I would also like to see more widgets from OneDrive.
I recommend exploring the new OneDrive application when it is launched. In the meantime, see our dedicated guide to get the most out of Microsoft’s cloud storage solution.
