Whoever decided to use dark patterns at @googlepixel to trick users into activating backup on photos while just trying to browse their Pixel just added to my chaos pile today.
Oh, yeah, I turned off the backup feature a year ago when I decided to go crazy with videos and one little push of the backup button would shut down my quota instantly.
Hand phone to child to view photos. Miss them hitting the backup all button. Quota destroyed.
The first few generations that were sold with the promise of unlimited photo backups still get that deal - if you find an old Pixel / Pixel XL and use it to upload your photos, they will not count towards your storage. A few more models then get unlimited uploads in “high” quality, and everything since I think Pixel 5 is completely out of luck.