Enable backups in Photos; otherwise you’ll lose all your pictures:Google Drive to end photo backup on August 10; tips to secure your memories

If you use Google Drive on your computer to automatically back up photos, there’s an important change you need to know about. From August 10, 2026, Google will stop supporting automatic photo backup from Google Drive for desktop to Google Photos.
But the relaxing part is that your existing photos will not suddenly disappear.
However, if you depend on the current Drive setup to keep uploading new photos, your future backups could stop unless you switch to another method. Here’s what is changing, why Google is making the move, and what you need to do before the deadline. What exactly is changing on August 10? Google is ending the feature that allows Google Drive for desktop to automatically back up photos and videos from selected computer folders to Google Photos. After August 10, new photos added to those folders will no longer automatically move from Drive to Google Photos through the existing setup. Google is instead directing users to Google Photos for photo backups. So, if you currently use Drive to back up your computer’s photo folders, it is worth checking your settings before the deadline. Why is Google making this change? The change is essentially about separating the two services. Google Drive is designed mainly for storing and managing files, while Google Photos is built specifically for photos and videos. Google wants users to manage their photo backups directly through Google Photos instead of using Drive for desktop as a bridge between the two services. What is Google Drive? Google Drive is Google’s cloud storage service, launched in 2012. It allows users to store files online instead of keeping everything only on their computer or phone. Over the years, Drive has become a central part of Google’s wider ecosystem, connecting with services such as Google Docs, Sheets, Gmail and Google Photos. Will your existing photos be deleted? Your already-backed-up photos will remain safe. The August 10 change does not mean Google is deleting photos already stored in Google Drive or Google Photos.
The main change is that new photos will no longer be automatically transferred from your computer to Google Photos through the old Drive backup system. So, if you do nothing, your existing photos will remain where they are. However, your future photos may not be backed up automatically in the same way. How to continue backing up your photos Google recommends using Google Photos on the web to back up folders from your computer. Follow these steps: 1. Go to Google Photos on your computer. 2. Click the + button in the top-right corner. 3. Select the folders on your computer that contain your photos. 4. Choose “Allow” or “Allow on every visit” when asked for permission. One important catch: The backup will work only while Google Photos on the web or its dedicated web app remains open.
What about photos on a Mac? Mac users should be aware of another limitation. Google Photos cannot directly and automatically back up the Apple Photos library through this method. If your pictures are stored inside Apple Photos, you may need to first sync them through iCloud and then use Google Photos on an iPhone or iPad to save them to Google Photos. Should you stop backing up photos to Google Drive? If you plan to use Google Photos for your photo backup, it may be worth reviewing your existing Drive settings. Why? Because keeping the same photos backed up in both Google Drive and Google Photos could use your Google storage twice. That could eventually push you towards buying additional Google One storage even when you may not actually need it. How to stop a folder from syncing with Drive How to check if a photo is already backed up If you’re unsure about a particular picture, Google Photos lets you check information about how the photo was uploaded. Open the photo in Google Photos, select the Info (ⓘ) option, and check its backup details. This can help you determine whether a photo has already been uploaded and where it came from. Don’t keep your only copy in the cloud The Google Drive change is also a good reminder about an important rule of digital storage: Never keep irreplaceable photos in just one place. For your most important memories, consider maintaining another copy on: Don’t panic, but check your backup Google’s August 10 change doesn’t mean your existing photos are going to vanish. The bigger issue is what happens to new photos after the deadline if you currently depend on Google Drive for desktop to automatically back them up to Google Photos. So, before August 10, check your current backup setup, move to Google Photos if needed, and make sure your most important pictures have a second copy.