Google Ends Drive to Photos Automatic Sync on August 10, 2026, Asking Users to Change Photo Backup Methods

Google Drive users who rely on automated photo backups must make a change shortly. Google has announced that it will discontinue automatic syncing between Google Drive for desktop and Google Photos on August 10, 2026. After this date, new pictures saved in PC folders will no longer be automatically move from Google Drive to Google photos. Users who wish to back up their photographs will have to use Google photographs online instead.

To enable photo backups, open Google Photos on your computer, click the Plus button, then select Back up folders, select the folders to store, and provide the necessary permissions. However, Google claims that the backup will only occur automatically if the Google Photos website or its dedicated web app is active.

Existing photographs are not being deleted. Any photos that have already been uploaded to Google Drive or Google Photos will be secured. The update only applies to future automated syncing between the two services. Google also notifies people about redundant backups. If you continue to backup the same photo folders to Google Drive and Google Photos, you may end up using more cloud storage than is necessary. Users may eventually need to acquire more Google One storage.

Users can avoid this by opening Google Drive for desktop, heading to Settings and Preferences, selecting the appropriate computer folder, and disabling the Google Drive sync feature.

The update could be especially crucial for people who utilize dedicated cameras or have extensive photo libraries on their desktops. Smartphone users may experience less impact because images from Android and iPhone devices are frequently backed up using Google Photos or Apple Photos.

Still, experts generally recommend keeping more than one backup. Users can save important photos on an external hard drive, SSD, or another cloud storage service. Having multiple copies can help protect personal photos if one storage service becomes unavailable or files are accidentally deleted.

Information referenced in this article is from How to Geek