NEW DELHI, India — Google is ending support for Google Photos backups through the Google Drive for desktop application on August 10, 2026, requiring users who depend on the feature to review their backup settings and shift the process to Google Photos. The change does not mean Google Photos is shutting down or that existing photos will automatically disappear.
- Deadline: Google Drive for desktop will stop supporting Google Photos backups from August 10, 2026.
- Who is affected: Users who automatically back up computer folders to Google Photos through Drive for desktop.
- What to do: Move folder-based photo backups to Google Photos and verify that files are syncing correctly.
- Mobile users: Smartphone users who back up directly through Google Photos are not affected by this particular change.
Google Drive Google Photos backup is ending
Google Drive for desktop has traditionally allowed users to select folders stored on their computers and automatically send photos and videos from those folders to Google Photos. That option is now being retired as Google changes the way desktop photo backups are handled.
Google has already stopped allowing users to create new Google Photos backup folders through the Drive desktop application. Existing folders have continued syncing during the transition, but the Google Drive for desktop backup option is no longer being maintained.
The key distinction is that this is a change to the desktop connection between Google Drive and Google Photos. The Google Photos service itself is not being discontinued.
What users should change before the deadline
Anyone currently relying on Google Drive for desktop to back up photographs and videos should move the process to Google Photos before the August 10 deadline.
The new approach involves opening Google Photos on a computer and selecting the folders that contain the photographs or videos that need to be backed up. Users should then allow the new backup process to finish before checking the Google Photos library.
- Open Google Photos on your computer.
- Select the option to back up folders.
- Choose the folders containing the photos and videos.
- Allow the backup process to complete.
- Check Google Photos to confirm that the files are appearing correctly.
Users with large photo collections should not assume that the transition has worked automatically. Checking the Google Photos library after configuring the new backup is important, particularly for folders containing important or irreplaceable files.
Who needs to change their backup settings?
The update primarily affects people who use the Google Drive for desktop application to send photos and videos stored in computer folders to Google Photos.
If photographs are backed up directly from a smartphone using Google Photos, this particular change does not affect that routine. Similarly, users who do not use the Google Photos backup feature inside Drive for desktop may not need to make any changes.
Why Google is changing desktop photo backups
Google is moving computer-based photo backups away from the Drive for desktop interface and toward a dedicated Google Photos experience. The change effectively separates the photo backup process from the desktop Drive application.
For casual users, the difference may be relatively small. However, people maintaining extensive photo libraries on computers, including users who regularly transfer photographs from their systems, may need to adjust their workflow.
The change also means users should understand exactly which folders are being backed up rather than assuming that every photo stored on a computer is automatically protected.
Will existing Google Photos disappear?
No. The end of Google Photos backup support through Drive for desktop does not mean Google is deleting existing photographs from Google Photos. The change concerns the method used to upload new photos and videos from computer folders.
Users who already have photographs stored in Google Photos should therefore distinguish between their existing cloud library and the future backup process from their computer.
Why an additional backup may still be useful
People with valuable personal photographs may also want to maintain another copy outside their primary cloud storage. An external drive or another secure backup location can provide an additional layer of protection if access to one copy is ever interrupted.
The August 10, 2026 deadline is therefore a useful reminder for desktop users to check exactly how their photo collections are being backed up and whether the folders they consider important are included.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Google Photos shutting down on August 10, 2026?
No. The change only concerns Google Photos backups through the Google Drive for desktop application. Google Photos itself is not shutting down.
Will my existing Google Photos pictures be deleted?
The provided information does not indicate that existing Google Photos pictures will be deleted because of this change. The update affects the desktop backup method rather than the Google Photos service itself.
Do smartphone Google Photos backups stop too?
No. The change specifically affects users who use Google Drive for desktop to back up computer folders to Google Photos. Direct smartphone backups through Google Photos are not affected by this particular update.
How can I back up computer folders to Google Photos?
Users can open Google Photos on their computer, select the folder backup option, choose the folders containing their photos and videos, and then verify that the files appear correctly after the backup completes.
What happens if I do nothing before August 10?
After August 10, Google Drive for desktop will no longer support backing up photos to Google Photos. Users who depend on that feature should configure their folders through Google Photos to avoid an interruption in their computer-based photo backup routine.
Bottom line: The August 10 change is not the end of Google Photos. It is the end of one particular desktop backup route. Users who currently depend on Drive for desktop should review their folders and move the backup process to Google Photos before the deadline.
