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submitted 8 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

I've read on reddit that Google still provides unlimited photos backup if you own Pixel 5a and lower. On rooted Android you can fake that and get free backup storage, but who wants to give pictures to Google?! I was thinking if it's possible or done by someone to create an environment on Docker by faking device info to access that free storage and backup rclone crypted files as images (by .jpeg fake extension or something)?

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[-] [email protected] 42 points 8 months ago

I know it's not the point, but I do think it would be easier to set up a photo server than to hack around Google.

[-] [email protected] 15 points 8 months ago

Look into self hosting

Setup seafile for normal dropbox like functionality and immich for photogallerly.

In the end , after alk rhe effort to trick Google, all your shit aill still be on google.

MiniPCs are quite cheap now on Alibaba or Amazon etc. Wait for a sale on a large HD abd you're good to go.

[-] [email protected] 7 points 8 months ago

100% @gargari

Even something simple like syncthing is very easy

[-] [email protected] 4 points 8 months ago

Thakns for hte gerat tipS!?

[-] [email protected] 3 points 8 months ago

Immich is a great service and the app is basically Google photos

[-] [email protected] 2 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)

I use Immich. Highly recommend.

[-] [email protected] 27 points 8 months ago

That's a recipe for data wipeout.

[-] [email protected] 18 points 8 months ago

I have a 4a and it does not have unlimited, just a heads up. My old pixel did have it, but not this one.

[-] [email protected] 8 points 8 months ago

4a does but only for standard resolution

[-] [email protected] 6 points 8 months ago

And I'm on a 5a and don't have unlimited.

[-] praise_idleness 12 points 8 months ago

You're trying to trick Google into giving you paid service. It's very much different to ad blocks and whatnot. This will cause you mountains of problem, if possible in the first place...

[-] [email protected] 8 points 8 months ago

The word you're looking for is steganography

[-] [email protected] 4 points 8 months ago

Mm no, that is encoding a message in the image, but the image remains the same and normal. Only the msg within is hidden cryptographycally...

[-] [email protected] 8 points 8 months ago

at that point it'd be easier for you to encode the data as a video and upload it to YouTube. which someone did, btw (can't find the link tho)

[-] [email protected] 2 points 8 months ago

YouTube reencodes your uploads so I don't see how could you decode your original data.

[-] [email protected] 3 points 8 months ago

Because it encodes it visually

[-] [email protected] 1 points 8 months ago

This is true, but I forgot to mention that the PoC I saw encoded the data into what is essentially a bunch of QR codes, which reduces the density of the data but beats the compression of Youtube.

[-] [email protected] 7 points 8 months ago

I just buy a pixel 1 for 50 bucks. Then I use that to upload my current photos. Works flawlessly

[-] [email protected] 6 points 8 months ago

there are modded google photos apk but idk how much of that can be trusted

[-] [email protected] 3 points 8 months ago

I am not an expert but I suspect this isn’t realistically doable.

  1. Google sells you a serialized pixel 5a with a google controlled root of trust.
  2. You log into the phone with your account.
  3. Google adds a database entry to your account with the serial/root of trust info.

I don’t really see a way to beat this except maybe buying a “still in box” unopened pixel 5a that has never been registered to anyone before and setting it up.

This assumes the program is still open. Google may have time boxed it such that you must have registered before the announcement or whatever.

All this being said be careful. Don’t get you account banned. You can’t appeal if google thinks you are doing something shady they don’t like.

Lastly I have to say this. I may be worth escaping the google ecosystem. Why let a company control so much of your life? Not related to this community, but an important point.

[-] [email protected] 2 points 8 months ago

There are ways to do it on a rooted phone, many did. Use a different account for it.

[-] [email protected] 1 points 8 months ago

My Poco F1 with the pixel experience rom still gets me unlimited photo backup.

[-] [email protected] 2 points 8 months ago

I am not sure that can be done. For some devices, the free backups only apply to "Storage saver" quality, which means decreasing resolution and quality, which obviously couldn't be done here.
Secondly, there is some file size limit. I think 50MB/image, but you could split the files, if it worked in the first place.

[-] [email protected] 1 points 8 months ago

i don't have unlimited photo storage for any of my two pixel 3 anymore. is this regional?

[-] [email protected] 1 points 8 months ago

Yup. They spoof you as Pixel OG and you get Unlimited Backup in OG resolution. I have been using it on my main acc for past 6 months or so.

this post was submitted on 21 Oct 2023
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