Google Drive Will Stop Automatic Photo Backups to Google Photos on August 10: What Users Need to Know

Google is making a change to the way photos are backed up from computers. Starting August 10, 2026, automatic syncing between Google Drive for desktop and Google Photos will no longer be supported.

The change mainly affects users who rely on Google Drive to automatically send photos stored on their computers to Google Photos. Existing photos will not be deleted, but users will need to change how they back up new images.

What Is Changing on August 10?

Google Drive for desktop will no longer automatically transfer newly backed-up photos to Google Photos after the August 10 deadline.

Photos that have already been uploaded will remain available in Google Drive and Google Photos. The change only affects future uploads and the automatic connection between the two services.

For users who want their computer’s photo folders to continue appearing in Google Photos, Google recommends setting up folder backups directly through the Google Photos website.

How to Back Up Computer Photos to Google Photos

Users can configure Google Photos to back up selected folders from their computer. Here’s how:

1. Open Google Photos on the web.
2. Click the + button in the upper-right corner.
3. Select Back up folders.
4. Choose the folders containing your photos.
5. Give Google Photos the required permissions.
6. Select Allow or Allow on every visit when prompted.

Once configured, Google Photos can automatically back up images from the selected folders. However, users need to keep the Google Photos website or its dedicated web app open for the backup process to continue.

Existing Photos in Google Drive Are Safe

The upcoming change does not mean Google is deleting photos already stored in Drive.

Images that have already been uploaded to Google Drive will remain there. What changes is that new images will no longer automatically move from Drive to Google Photos through the previous backup arrangement.

Therefore, users who only want their photos stored in Google Drive do not necessarily need to make any changes.

Be Careful About Duplicate Backups

Users planning to switch to Google Photos should also check their existing Google Drive backup settings.

If the same photo folders continue to be backed up to Drive while also being uploaded to Google Photos, users could end up storing multiple copies of the same files. Since Google Drive and Google Photos use storage associated with the user’s Google account, unnecessary duplicates could consume available cloud storage.

That could eventually require users to purchase additional Google One storage.

How to Stop Photo Folders From Syncing With Google Drive

If you decide to move your photo backups to Google Photos, you can disable syncing for selected folders in Drive for desktop.

Follow these steps:

1. Open Google Drive for desktop.
2. Click Settings.
3. Select Preferences.
4. Open Folders from your computer.
5. Select the folder you no longer want to sync.
6. Turn off Sync with Google Drive.
7. Click Done and then Save.

This can help prevent unnecessary duplicate copies from being stored in your Google account.

Mac Users Face an Additional Limitation

There is an important limitation for Mac users. Google Photos cannot automatically back up the Apple Photos library directly from a Mac using the new folder backup method.

Users with an Apple Photos library may need to first sync their photos through iCloud and then use the Google Photos app on an iPhone or iPad to upload those images.

How to Check Where a Photo Was Uploaded From

If you’re unsure how a particular image reached Google Photos, you can check its upload information.

Open Google Photos on the web, select the image and click the Info (i) button. The details can show how the photo was uploaded, helping you identify whether your current backup setup needs to be changed.

Should You Do Anything Before August 10?

If you currently use Google Drive for desktop to automatically back up photos and want those images to appear in Google Photos, it is worth changing your setup before August 10, 2026.

However, if you only use Google Drive to store your photos, your existing files will remain available and no immediate action is required.

It is also a good idea to maintain a second backup, such as an external hard drive or another cloud service. Keeping important photos in only one location can leave your personal collection vulnerable if something goes wrong with that account or service.

Key Takeaways

• Google Drive will stop automatic photo syncing with Google Photos on August 10, 2026.
• Existing photos in Google Drive will not be deleted.
• New photos can be backed up directly through Google Photos.
• Users should check their Drive settings to avoid duplicate backups.
• Duplicate files can consume Google account storage unnecessarily.
• Mac users cannot directly back up the Apple Photos library using the new folder method.
• Maintaining an additional backup is recommended for important photos.