Google Drive Ending Photo Backup: What to Do Now?

As of August 10, 2026, with Google Drive ending photo backup services, desktop users must adapt their sync workflows. If you used Google Drive for desktop to backup photo folders from your Windows or Mac computer, you need to use the Backup folders feature on Google Photos from now on.

Important: The new method requires you to keep Google Photos open in your browser for backups to continue—this is very different from the old automatic process.

The good news is that Google will not remove any previously backed-up photos from Google Photos. The update only changes how photos will be uploaded from your computer.

This article explains who will be affected by Google Drive ending photo backup and what changes you need to make to keep backing up photos from your computer to Google in the future.

What Happened to Google Drive Photo Backup?

Google no longer supports desktop photo backing up via Google Drive.

Google previously allowed users to backup their photos via Google Drive for the desktop version. With Google Drive ending photo backup, Google started transitioning users to their new system via Google Photos (blocking new folder configurations on June 15, 2026), and support for backing up photos through Google Drive was discontinued on August 10, 2026.

Although Google Drive photo backup is discontinued, Google Drive for desktop has many other functions that will still work normally.

Who is Affected?

Users affected by Google Drive ending photo backup are those who:

• Utilize Google Drive for desktop on either a Windows PC or Mac.
• Have configured computer folders that backup to Google Photos.
• Want to allow any new photos in those folders to automatically upload.

Users who utilize the Google Photos app on their Android or iPhone are not impacted by the changes made to desktop mobile backup cases.

It must also be mentioned that images already saved in Google Photos will stay in your library after the discontinuation of the old backup method. If you prefer to move away from Google’s services altogether, you can download an archive of your library using Google Takeout. From there, many Apple users choose to import Google Takeout to iCloud to keep their media natively synced across iOS and macOS devices.

First Check Your Existing Google Drive Backup

Before taking action following Google Drive ending photo backup, ensure that you have confirmed that your crucial pictures have been uploaded to Google Photos.

Using your computer, launch Google Photos and check for any backup status updates at the top of your album. Google Photos will indicate status such as “Preparing backup”, “Photos backing up”, “Backup done”, or “Backup on hold”.

You may also click on an individual photo, select Info, and check its backup status.

This is a necessary yet simple step, as confirming whether your settings have changed does not automatically guarantee that all pictures were uploaded.

How to Stop the Old Google Drive Photo Backup

If you still have the old settings active prior to Google Drive ending photo backup, you can remove the backup option for Google Photos:

1. Open Google Drive on your desktop.
2. Click on More.
3. Choose Settings.
4. Select My Computer from the options.
5. Select the folder which was set up earlier.
6. Uncheck Backup to Google Photos.
7. Click on Done and then Save.

There is no need for you to log out of your Google account just to stop the old folder backup. In fact, Google explicitly states that syncing with Google Drive is optional while changing these settings.

Does It Mean My Photos Will Be Deleted?

No.

Turning off folder backup will stop future uploads through that configuration. The photos that have already been uploaded to Google Photos will remain there until you delete them manually.

How to Backup Computer Folders to Google Photos Now

With Google Drive ending photo backup on desktop, Backup folders is the new service that replaces the old desktop option from Google. Note: This new method requires active browser management and is less seamless than the previous automatic syncing.

1. Launch Google Photos in any web browser.
2. Click the + sign or Create to add photos.
3. Click on Backup folders.
4. Select the folders from your computer that contain photos or videos.
5. Allow Google Photos to access the selected folders.
6. Keep your browser tab open—backups only continue while the tab is active.

Google Photos will try to upload all the files that you have selected. Files that were already uploaded earlier will not be uploaded again, preventing duplicate uploads.

Keep Google Photos Open for Automatic Uploads

Critical difference from the old system: The new Backup folders feature requires manual browser management.

According to Google, when using the Backup folders function, you must keep your Google Photos browser tab or web application open for the backup process to continue automatically. In other words, if you close the browser tab, Google will not continue with the upload task in the background. This is a significant departure from the old Google Drive method, which synced silently in the background. Users needing truly automatic, set-and-forget photo backup may need to consider third-party solutions.

Will Google Photos Upload the Same Photos Twice?

Transitioning from an outdated Google Drive to a new system is frequently a worry.

Google has reported that preexisting data will not be re-uploaded when the folder gets incorporated. However, it is still smart to check your Google Photos library and backup status first before making substantial folder adjustments.

⚠️ Storage Alert: Remember that Google storage is used for Google Photos, Google Drive, and Gmail. If you run both the previous drive backup and new photos backup by accident, you may eat up your storage quickly and force yourself into a Google One upgrade. Make sure to toggle off the drive backup after completing your photo backups.

For organizations managing storage space, it is worth noting that enterprise users frequently use a Google Workspace backup tool to archive their business emails, attachments, and contacts, though this does not apply to personal photo libraries.

What About Photos on Your Phone?

The change implemented regarding Google Drive putting an end to backup of pictures on desktop does not change the regular manner in which Google Photos backs up pictures on mobile devices.

For example, the Google Photos app continues to offer the possibility of backing-up other folders on your devices besides the primary camera folder.

If you are already using Google Photos to backup phone images, there is no need to change your current configuration.