Google Drive Stops Automatic Photo Backups to Google Photos on Desktop

Google Drive has stopped automatically sending photos from desktop folders to Google Photos, so new files added to previously backed-up folders will no longer appear there unless users change their setup.

As of Aug. 10, Google Drive for desktop no longer supports automatic backups from computer folders to Google Photos, ending a feature many users relied on to keep desktop photo libraries synced to the cloud.

The change affects only the connection between Google Drive for desktop and Google Photos. Google Drive will continue syncing files, and Google Photos will continue storing and managing photos and videos. Any photos or videos that were already backed up through the old system will remain available.

Google confirmed the change in its support documentation, explaining that users who want to keep backing up desktop folders must now add their photos and videos to Google Photos through Google Drive instead of relying on the previous automatic backup setup.

What users need to do now

Until yesterday, users could choose a folder on their computer and have Google Drive automatically upload photos and videos from that folder into Google Photos. That background syncing has now stopped.

To continue backing up desktop photos, users must set up backups directly through the Google Photos website. The new process allows folders to be selected using the “Back up folders” option, or users can import photos already stored in Google Drive into Google Photos.

Google also recommends removing the old Drive-based backup setting first to avoid duplicate uploads.

Who is affected?

The change will mostly impact photographers, creators, and anyone who imports images from cameras, scanners, SD cards, or other desktop sources. Users who primarily back up photos from a smartphone through the Google Photos mobile app are not affected.

One concern is that the transition may go unnoticed. Existing photos remain intact, but new images added to previously synced folders will no longer be uploaded automatically unless users reconfigure backups.

The catch with Google’s replacement

Google has not announced a dedicated Google Photos desktop app, so for now the browser-based method is the only replacement for automatic desktop photo-folder backups.

Users who relied on the old Drive integration should update their setup now; otherwise, new desktop photos may stop reaching Google Photos without any obvious change to the files already stored there.

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