Google Drive Ends Google Photos Desktop Backups on August 10

Google is ending support for Google Photos backup through the Google Drive for desktop app on August 10, 2026, requiring users to switch to a new backup method to continue automatically syncing photos and videos from their computers. The change affects Windows and macOS users who currently rely on Google Drive for desktop to upload images from local folders directly to Google Photos. Google says the feature will instead be managed through Google Photos’ dedicated “Back up folders” option, separating photo backups from Google Drive’s file synchronization service.

The transition is part of Google’s broader effort to simplify its desktop backup experience by moving photo management entirely under Google Photos. While existing photos already stored in Google Photos will remain safe, users who do not migrate before the deadline will no longer have new images and videos automatically uploaded from their computers after August 10, 2026.

What Is Changing?

Google is discontinuing the ability to back up photos and videos to Google Photos through the Google Drive for desktop application.

Timeline

Date	Change
June 15, 2026	Users could no longer add new folders for Google Photos backup through Drive for desktop. Existing folders continued syncing.
August 10, 2026	Google Drive for desktop will stop supporting Google Photos backups entirely.

After August 10, Google Drive will continue syncing files with Google Drive, but it will no longer upload photos or videos from desktop folders into Google Photos.

Who Is Affected?

The change impacts users who:

• Use Google Drive for desktop on Windows or macOS.
• Have configured folders such as Pictures, Desktop, or custom folders to automatically upload media to Google Photos through Drive.

If you already upload photos using:

• The Google Photos mobile app, or
• The Google Photos website,

then your existing workflow is largely unaffected.

What You Need to Do

To continue automatic backups after August 10:

1. Open Google Photos on the web.
2. Sign in with your Google account.
3. Set up Back up folders for the folders containing your photos and videos.
4. Confirm that backup status shows your folders are syncing correctly.
5. Once configured, Google Photos—not Google Drive—will handle future uploads.

Migration Checklist

Task	Status
Check if Drive currently backs up photos	✓
Configure “Back up folders” in Google Photos	✓
Verify backup status	✓
Confirm new uploads appear in Google Photos	✓

Will Existing Photos Be Deleted?

No.

Google has clarified that:

• Photos already stored in Google Photos will remain available.
• Only the desktop backup method is changing.
• You simply need to configure the new backup workflow before August 10 to avoid interruptions.

Why Google Is Making the Change

Google says the goal is to separate two different services:

• Google Drive for document and file synchronization.
• Google Photos for photo and video management.

By moving desktop photo backups entirely into Google Photos, the company aims to provide a more consistent experience across desktop and mobile devices while simplifying backup management.

Looking Ahead

Google’s decision to discontinue Google Photos backups through the Drive for desktop app marks another step in separating its cloud storage and photo management services. While the change does not affect files already stored in Google Photos, users who rely on desktop backups must migrate to the new “Back up folders” feature before August 10, 2026 to ensure photos and videos continue uploading automatically.

Looking ahead, the transition reinforces Google’s strategy of making Google Photos the dedicated platform for image and video backups while leaving Google Drive focused on file synchronization and cloud storage. Users who complete the migration should experience little disruption, but delaying the switch could result in new desktop photos no longer being backed up after the deadline.