Samsung has introduced a new feature in its Gallery app that allows users to sync photos and videos directly with their Google accounts. This change comes after the company discontinued its integration with Microsoft OneDrive back in September. The update enables Samsung Galaxy device owners to back up their media files using the native Gallery app instead of relying on Google Photos.
The feature is currently available on select Galaxy devices running One UI 9, with Samsung planning to roll it out to more devices in phases. Users can enable the sync by tapping the Cloud icon in the Gallery app or through the Gallery Settings. Once enabled, media files can be accessed on other Samsung devices by logging into the same Google account and enabling sync.
For those looking to free up space on their devices, Samsung has added a 'Free up space' option. This feature deletes original files from the device after they have been synced to Google storage, while keeping thumbnails visible in the Gallery app. However, users should be aware that syncing media files will consume storage space on their Google accounts, which come with 5GB of free storage by default.
To expand storage beyond the free 5GB, users can verify a phone number to get an additional 10GB, bringing the total to 15GB. For more storage, a Google One subscription is required, starting at $2 per month for 100GB or $3 for 200GB.