Google Drive ends Photo backups on August 10, 2026

Google will end a long-standing feature that allowed users to automatically back up photos from their computer to Google Photos via the Drive desktop app, with the change taking effect on August 10, 2026. The company has been notifying users of the impending shift, which will require a new workflow for desktop photo management.

The change means that after August 10, any folders on a user's computer currently set to sync with Google Photos through the Drive for desktop application will stop uploading new images automatically. The feature to set up new backup folders through Drive was removed in mid-June. Google first announced the policy shift in May and has since been sending email alerts to affected users.

Importantly, all photos previously uploaded and stored in Google Photos will remain safe and accessible in the cloud. The change only affects the method for uploading new photos from a desktop or laptop computer moving forward.

To maintain an automatic backup from a computer, users must now set up the connection directly through the Google Photos website. The process involves visiting the site, clicking the plus icon in the top-right corner, and selecting "Back up folders."...