You are viewing the legacy documentation for the Google Photos Library API.
Library API overview
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Using the Google Photos Library API your app can read, write, and share photos and videos in
Google Photos.
The Library API is a RESTful
API with JSON payload. The structure
of the API is based on the product concepts of Google Photos:
- Library: media stored in the user's
Google Photos account.
- Albums: media collections which can be
shared with other users.
- Media items: photos, videos, and
their metadata.
- Sharing: feature that enables users to
share their media with other users.
Authorization
Like other Google REST APIs, the Library API uses OAuth
2.0 to handle authorization.
Your app can request access to the user's Google Photos library via the
various authorization
scopes provided by the
API.
Note that the Library API does not support service accounts; to use this
API, users must be signed in to a valid Google Account.
Using the Library API
Before you get started on your app development, keep the following in mind:
Explore the API
To try out the Library API without writing any code, use the API Explorer
available in the reference documentation.
Here are some methods to try using the API Explorer:
Check out our code sample that shows some of the key
features of the Library API.
Partner program
You can integrate with the Google Photos Library API without joining the partner program.
However, if your app is likely to exceed the general availability quota
limit, express interest in the Google Photos
partner program.
Learn more
Some places to go from here:
- Get started: configure your project and
try out the sample.
- Guides: the how-to guides and concepts around
using the Library API.
- Reference: the API reference documentation
- Support: the support options for
requesting help or giving feedback.
Except as otherwise noted, the content of this page is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License, and code samples are licensed under the Apache 2.0 License. For details, see the Google Developers Site Policies. Java is a registered trademark of Oracle and/or its affiliates.
Last updated 2025-08-28 UTC.
[null,null,["Last updated 2025-08-28 UTC."],[[["\u003cp\u003eThe Google Photos Library API allows your app to read, write, and share photos and videos stored in Google Photos.\u003c/p\u003e\n"],["\u003cp\u003eIt uses a RESTful API with JSON payload and OAuth 2.0 for authorization, requiring users to be signed in to a Google Account.\u003c/p\u003e\n"],["\u003cp\u003eBefore developing your app, review the acceptable use policy, UX guidelines, and API limits and quotas.\u003c/p\u003e\n"],["\u003cp\u003eExplore the API through the API Explorer or by checking out the provided code samples.\u003c/p\u003e\n"],["\u003cp\u003eConsider joining the Google Photos partner program if your app is likely to exceed the general availability quota limit.\u003c/p\u003e\n"]]],["The Google Photos Library API enables apps to interact with Google Photos content, reading, writing, and sharing photos and videos. It's a RESTful API using JSON payloads, organized around libraries, albums, media items, and sharing. Access requires OAuth 2.0 authorization via specific scopes, and service accounts are not supported. Developers should adhere to usage policies, UX guidelines, and quotas. The API can be explored through the API Explorer, and code samples are available. Those who need more quota should apply to the Google Photos partner program.\n"],null,["# Library API overview\n\nUsing the Google Photos Library API your app can read, write, and share photos and videos in\nGoogle Photos.\n\nThe Library API is a [RESTful\nAPI](/photos/library/legacy/guides/about-restful-apis) with JSON payload. The structure\nof the API is based on the product concepts of Google Photos:\n\n- [Library](/photos/library/legacy/guides/list): media stored in the user's Google Photos account.\n- [Albums](/photos/library/legacy/guides/manage-albums): media collections which can be shared with other users.\n- [Media items](/photos/library/legacy/guides/access-media-items): photos, videos, and their metadata.\n- [Sharing](/photos/library/legacy/guides/share-media): feature that enables users to share their media with other users.\n\nAuthorization\n-------------\n\nLike other Google REST APIs, the Library API uses [OAuth\n2.0](/identity/protocols/OAuth2) to handle authorization.\nYour app can request access to the user's Google Photos library via the\nvarious [authorization\nscopes](/photos/library/legacy/guides/authorization) provided by the\nAPI.\n\nNote that the Library API does not support service accounts; to use this\nAPI, users must be signed in to a valid Google Account.\n\nUsing the Library API\n---------------------\n\nBefore you get started on your app development, keep the following in mind:\n\n- [Acceptable use policy](/photos/library/legacy/guides/acceptable-use)\n- [UX guidelines](/photos/library/legacy/guides/ux-guidelines) for designing your app\n- The Library API [limits and\n quotas](/photos/library/legacy/guides/api-limits-quotas)\n\nExplore the API\n---------------\n\nTo try out the Library API without writing any code, use the API Explorer\navailable in the reference documentation.\n\nHere are some methods to try using the API Explorer:\n\n- [List](/photos/library/legacy/reference/rest/v1/albums/list) your albums.\n- Apply filters to a [media item\n search](/photos/library/legacy/reference/rest/v1/mediaItems/search).\n\nCheck out our [code sample](/photos/library/samples) that shows some of the key\nfeatures of the Library API.\n\nPartner program\n---------------\n\nYou can integrate with the Google Photos Library API without joining the partner program.\nHowever, if your app is likely to exceed the general availability [quota\nlimit](/photos/library/legacy/guides/api-limits-quotas), express interest in the [Google Photos\npartner program](/photos/partner-program).\n\nLearn more\n----------\n\nSome places to go from here:\n\n- [Get started](/photos/library/legacy/guides/get-started): configure your project and try out the sample.\n- [Guides](/photos/library/legacy/guides/list): the how-to guides and concepts around using the Library API.\n- [Reference](/photos/library/reference): the API reference documentation\n- [Support](/photos/library/support/how-to-get-help): the support options for requesting help or giving feedback."]]
