Google Photos is a widely used cloud storage service, convenient for automatically backing up your precious photos and videos. By default, it’s often set to automatically upload media from your phone’s gallery. However, there are valid reasons why you might want to disable Google Photos backup. If you’re looking for a guide on how to turn off Google Photos backup, you’ve come to the right place.
Why Disable Google Photos Automatic Backup?
For a long time, Google Photos was renowned for offering unlimited storage for photos uploaded in “High Quality”. “Original Quality” uploads, however, counted towards your Google account’s 15GB storage limit. This changed on June 1, 2021. Now, every photo and video you back up to Google Photos, regardless of quality, counts against your 15GB of free Google account storage.
With automatic backup enabled, this 15GB can fill up surprisingly quickly. Disabling automatic backup gives you greater control over what gets uploaded, helping you manage your storage space more effectively and avoid unexpected storage charges. Learning how to stop Google Photos backup is a crucial step in managing your digital storage.
How to Stop Google Photos Backup on Android Devices
If you’re an Android user and want to know how to stop auto backup in Google Photos, the process is straightforward. You’ll need to disable the “Backup and Sync” feature within the Google Photos app.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to stop backing up photos to Google on your Android phone:
Step 1: Open the Google Photos app on your Android device. Locate and tap your profile picture icon, usually found in the top-right corner of the screen.
Step 2: From the menu that appears, tap on “Photo settings”. In some versions of the app, you might see “Manage storage” instead; selecting either option will lead you to the settings you need.
Disabling Backup and Sync in Google Photos on Android
Step 3: On the “Settings” screen, find and tap the “Backup & sync” option.
Step 4: Finally, toggle the “Backup & sync” switch to the off position. It will usually be blue when enabled and grey when disabled.
Once you’ve completed these steps, Google Photos will no longer automatically back up your new photos and videos from your Android device. You can still view your media in the Google Photos app, but they will only be stored locally on your phone.
How to Stop Google Photos Backup on iPhones and iPads
Many iPhone users initially rely on iCloud for photo backups, but with only 5GB of free storage, Google Photos’ 15GB offer is often appealing. However, to effectively manage even this larger free storage, understanding how to stop photos from uploading to Google Photos on your iPhone or iPad is essential.
Here’s how to disable Google Photos backup on iOS:
Step 1: Launch the Google Photos app on your iPhone or iPad.
Step 2: Tap your profile photo located at the top-right corner of the screen. Then, select “Photo settings” from the menu.
Step 3: On the “Settings” page, tap on the “Backup & sync” option at the top.
Step 4: On the “Backup & sync” screen, locate the “Backup & sync” toggle and disable it by tapping the switch.
After completing these steps, automatic backups to Google Photos will be disabled on your iPhone or iPad. Photos already backed up will remain in your Google Photos account unless you manually delete them.
Bonus Tip: Explore Alternative Backup Solutions
While Google Photos is convenient, you might be looking for a backup solution that offers more features and flexibility. Consider exploring tools like AirDroid Personal. This software provides a robust and user-friendly way to backup your photos and videos to your computer.
AirDroid Personal allows you to easily set up automatic backups and disable them just as quickly. It ensures original quality backups, preserving the integrity of your photos and videos. Its streamlined interface and efficient performance make it a great alternative, even on less powerful computers.
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Key Benefits of AirDroid Personal
Here are some notable advantages of using AirDroid Personal for backups:
- Fast Backup Speed: Quickly back up large volumes of photos and videos.
- Flexible Backup Options: Offers both automatic and manual backup modes.
- Original Quality Retention: Backups are performed without any quality loss.
- High-Speed File Transfer: Efficiently transfer data between your smartphone and computer.
To start using AirDroid Personal for backups, follow these simple steps:
Step 1: Download AirDroid Personal on both your computer and your phone. Sign in to both apps using the same AirDroid account.
Step 2: Open the desktop application and click the “Transfer” icon. Under “My devices,” click on your phone’s name to establish a connection.
Connecting Devices with AirDroid Personal for Photo Backup
Step 3: Navigate to the “Backup” tab and click “Backup” to initiate the backup process.
Step 4: Choose your desired backup folder and destination in the settings, then click “Done” to begin. You can also enable automatic backups in this step if desired.
Step 5: Wait for the backup to complete. Use the “Open Folder” option to access your backed-up files.
Final Thoughts
Knowing how to stop Google Photos backup is essential for managing your Google storage and controlling your data. Disabling automatic backup is a simple process on both Android and iPhone, giving you more control over your photo and video storage.
If you’re seeking a more versatile backup solution, AirDroid Personal offers an excellent alternative. It provides comprehensive features for data backup, file transfer, and device management across different platforms. Consider exploring its premium features for an enhanced experience.
FAQs About How to Stop Google Photos Backup
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about disabling Google Photos backup:
1. How do I stop uploading photos in Google Photos?
To stop automatic photo uploads in Google Photos:
- Open the Google Photos app and tap your profile picture at the top right.
- Go to “Photo settings” > “Backup & sync” > and turn the toggle off.
2. How do I unsync Google Photos on Android?
To unsync Google Photos on Android, which effectively stops backups:
- Open the Google Photos app.
- Tap your profile picture and select “Photo settings”.
- Select “Backup & sync” and toggle it off.
3. If I delete photos from Google Photos, will they be deleted from my phone gallery?
No, deleting photos from Google Photos will not automatically delete them from your phone’s gallery if backup and sync is disabled. However, if backup is enabled, deleting photos from the Google Photos app can delete them from your device, depending on your settings and sync status. To avoid accidental deletion from your device, ensure backup is disabled if you only want to remove photos from the cloud.
