Google Drive for desktop stopped backing up photos and videos to Google Photos on Aug. 10 [1].
This change affects how millions of global users sync media from their computers to the cloud. If users do not update their settings, new photos and videos saved to their desktop folders will no longer upload automatically to the Google Photos library.
Google is consolidating its photo backup systems into the dedicated Google Photos application [3]. The company said this move is intended to streamline backup processes and improve the overall organization of photos for its users [3]. By moving these functions away from the general Drive for desktop app, Google is separating general file storage from specialized media management.
To maintain automatic uploads, users must now utilize the "Back up folders" feature found within the Google Photos settings [1]. This transition requires a manual change in how folders are designated for synchronization. Users who previously relied on the Drive app to handle this in the background must now ensure the specific Google Photos tool is active.
Existing photos and videos already backed up to Google Photos will remain available. The change only impacts new media added to the desktop after the Aug. 10 [1] cutoff. Users are encouraged to verify their folder settings to avoid data loss, or gaps in their cloud libraries.
Google Drive for desktop continues to function for general file synchronization, such as documents and spreadsheets. However, the specific pipeline that routed media files into the Photos ecosystem has been closed [2].
“Google Drive for desktop stopped backing up photos and videos to Google Photos on Aug. 10.”
This move signals Google's effort to reduce overlap between its productivity suite and its media services. By forcing a migration to the Google Photos app, the company can implement more specialized AI organization and search tools that are native to the Photos ecosystem rather than treating images as generic files within Google Drive.
