Google Drive ends automatic photo backup to Google Photos

Google has discontinued the automatic synchronization of photo folders from the Google Drive desktop application to Google Photos, effective August 10. While standard file and folder synchronization within Google Drive remains operational, the direct bridge that allowed Drive to act as an intermediary for photo backups has been removed.

Users who previously relied on this feature to automatically secure images and videos must now manually manage backups. To sync specific computer directories, users must visit the Google Photos website, select the upload option, and designate the desired folders. Once configured, the website will upload new images from those folders whenever the site is visited, though this process is no longer a continuous, invisible background task.

Existing photos already uploaded to Google Photos are unaffected and do not require re-uploading. To avoid consuming extra storage space, users are advised not to sync the same folders with both Google Drive and Google Photos simultaneously, as this could result in duplicate uploads. For mobile users, the Google Photos app continues to offer automatic backup functionality.