Google Drive Is Ending Google Photos Backup from August 10 – What You Need to Know

Google has announced a big change. Starting August 10, 2026, the Google Drive desktop app will stop automatically backing up your photos and videos to Google Photos.

Don't worry – Google Photos is not shutting down, and your existing photos are safe. Here’s everything you need to know in simple words.

What Is Changing?

Right now, if you use the Google Drive app on your computer (Windows or Mac), you can choose a folder on your computer and have all photos in that folder automatically backed up to Google Photos. It's a handy feature that does the work for you.

After August 10, that automatic connection will stop working. Any folders you set up for this backup will no longer upload new photos or videos to Google Photos.

What Is NOT Changing?

· Google Photos itself is not going away.

· Your existing photos that are already backed up to Google Photos will stay safe. You don't need to re-upload them.

· Regular file syncing through Google Drive will continue to work as before.

· Phone backups through the Google Photos app on your phone are not affected.

Why Is Google Doing This?

Google says this change is part of its effort to simplify backup tools and focus on managing photos through the Google Photos app instead of Drive.

Who Is Affected?

This change only affects people who use Google Drive for desktop on a Windows or Mac computer to automatically back up photos from their computer folders.

If you only back up photos from your phone, you don't need to do anything.

What Happens If You Do Nothing?

If you don't make any changes before August 10:

· Your old photos will stay in Google Photos – they will not be deleted.

· But any new photos you add to your computer after this date will NOT be backed up automatically.

· You would need to upload them manually until you set up a new backup method.

What Should You Do?

To keep your photos backing up automatically after August 10, you need to switch to Google Photos directly.

Here's how:

1. Open Google Photos on your computer (go to photos.google.com in your browser).

2. Click the "+" button in the top right corner.

3. Select "Back up folders" and choose the folders on your computer that contain your photos and videos.

4. Make sure Backup is turned on.

Important: Unlike the old Drive setup, this new method only backs up your photos while the Google Photos website is open in your browser. It won't run automatically in the background.

Quick Summary

Question Answer

When does this happen? August 10, 2026

Will my old photos be deleted? No – they stay safe

Will Google Photos shut down? No

Do phone users need to do anything? No – phone backups still work

What should desktop users do? Switch to backing up through Google Photos website

Bottom Line

This change isn't the end of the world – but if you use Google Drive on your computer to back up photos, take a few minutes before August 10 to set up backup folders in Google Photos instead. Your photos will thank you!