Google Ditches Automatic Photo Backup

Google is ending automatic photo backup from Google Drive for desktop to Google Photos on August 10, 2026. New photos added to selected computer folders will no longer automatically move from Drive to Google Photos through this setup.

The change aims to separate the two services, with Google Drive focusing on file management and Google Photos designed specifically for photos and videos.

Existing photos will remain safe, but users will need to switch to Google Photos or another method to continue backing up new photos. To do so, they can use Google Photos on the web by clicking the + button in the top-right corner, selecting folders from their computer, and granting permission.

Mac users may also need to sync their Apple Photos library through iCloud before using Google Photos to back up their photos.