Google Photos is a widely-used platform for cloud storage, seamlessly working on both Android and iPhone devices. By default, it often automatically backs up all the photos from your phone’s gallery. While convenient, this automatic backup might not always be desirable for every user. If you’re looking for ways on how to stop Google Photos backup, you’ve come to the right place. This guide will walk you through the steps to disable this feature on both Android and iPhone, giving you more control over your photo storage.
Why Should You Stop Google Photos Automatic Backup?
For a long time, Google Photos was favored for its offer of unlimited storage for photos saved in “High Quality”. Only photos backed up in ‘Original Quality’ counted towards your Google account’s 15GB storage limit. However, this policy has changed.
Since June 1, 2021, every photo you back up to Google Photos counts against your free 15GB Google account storage. With automatic backup enabled, this 15GB can quickly fill up. This policy change is a primary reason many users are now seeking to manage or disable Google Photos backup.
Learning how to turn off Google Photos backup is crucial if you want to manage your cloud storage effectively, control which photos are backed up, and prevent unexpectedly running out of storage space. Let’s explore how to disable this feature on your devices.
How to Stop Google Photos Backup on Android
If you’re an Android user and want to learn how to stop auto backup in Google Photos, the process is straightforward. Disabling the “Backup and Sync” option within the Google Photos app is all it takes.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to stop backing up photos to Google on your Android device:
Step 1. Begin by opening the Google Photos app on your Android phone. Tap your profile picture located in the top-right corner of the screen.
Step 2. In the menu that appears, you will see options such as “Manage your Google Account” and “Photo settings”. Tap on either Manage Storage or Photo Settings. The wording might slightly vary depending on your app version, but both options lead to the settings panel you need.
Step 3. Within the Settings menu, find and tap the “Back up and sync” option. This will open the backup settings.
Step 4. You will see a toggle switch next to “Backup and sync” at the top of the screen. Simply turn this toggle off to disable automatic backups.
Once you complete these steps, Google Photos will no longer automatically back up new photos from your Android device. You can still view your photos in the Google Photos app, but they will only be stored locally on your phone unless you manually choose to back them up.
How to Stop Google Photos Backup on iPhone
While iPhone users often prioritize iCloud for photo backups, Google Photos remains a popular choice due to its initial generous storage and cross-platform accessibility. However, to effectively manage your 15GB of free storage, knowing how to stop Google Photos from backing up is essential.
Here’s how to stop photos from uploading to Google Photos on your iPhone:
Step 1. Open the Google Photos app on your iPhone.
Step 2. Tap your profile photo at the top-right corner of the screen. From the menu, select the “Google Photos settings” option.
Step 3. In the “Settings” menu, tap on “Backup and Sync” at the top.
Step 4. On the “Backup and Sync” screen, you’ll find a toggle switch next to “Backup and Sync”. To stop Google photo upload, simply disable this toggle.
That’s it! You have successfully stopped the automatic backup of your photos to Google Photos on your iPhone. Remember, photos already backed up will remain in your Google Photos account and can be deleted manually if needed.
Read also: Google Photos Backup Stuck? Here’s How to Fix It
Bonus Tip: Exploring Alternative Backup Solutions
If you’re looking for a backup solution that offers more flexibility and features compared to Google Photos, consider AirDroid Personal. This powerful tool provides a user-friendly way to back up your photos and videos to your computer.
AirDroid Personal allows you to easily back up all your photos and videos on a PC with a straightforward process. It offers both automatic and manual backup options, giving you greater control. Unlike some cloud services, AirDroid Personal ensures no quality loss during backup and restore, preserving your photos in their original quality. Its intuitive interface and efficient performance make it suitable even for less powerful computers.
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Key Features of AirDroid Personal:
- Fast Backup Speed: Guarantees a quick process for backing up photos and videos.
- Flexible Backup Options: Offers both automatic and manual backup choices to suit your needs.
- Original Quality Backup: Preserves the original quality of your photos and videos during backup and restore.
- High-Speed File Transfer: Enables rapid data transfer between your smartphone and PC.
Here’s a quick guide on how to back up your phone using AirDroid Personal:
Step 1. Download AirDroid Personal on both your PC and phone and sign in 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.
Step 3. Navigate to the Backup tab and click “Backup” to start the process.
Step 4. Choose your desired backup folder and destination on your PC. Click “Done” to initiate the backup. You can also enable automatic backup in this step if desired.
Step 5. Wait for the backup to complete. Once finished, use the “Open Folder” option to access your backed-up files.
Connect devices for backup using AirDroid Personal
Final Remarks
Understanding how to stop Google Photos backup is simple and gives you better control over your 15GB free storage. By disabling automatic backup, you can manage what gets backed up and avoid unexpected storage depletion.
However, for a more versatile and feature-rich backup solution, AirDroid Personal is an excellent alternative. It offers comprehensive device management, file transfer capabilities, and reliable PC backups for both iPhone and Android users. Consider exploring its premium features to unlock even more functionalities for managing your digital life across devices.
FAQs About How to Stop Google Photos Backup
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about stopping Google Photos backup:
1. How to stop uploading photos in Google Photos?
To stop automatic Google Photos backup:
- Open the Google Photos app and tap your profile picture at the top right.
- Select “Photo settings” or “Google Photos settings” > Backup and Sync > and turn the toggle off.
2. How to unsync Google Photos on Android?
To unsync Google Photos on Android, effectively stopping backups:
- Launch the Google Photos app.
- Tap your profile picture and select “Photo Settings.”
- Select Backup and Sync and disable the toggle.
3. Does deleting from Google Photos delete from the gallery?
No, deleting photos from Google Photos will not delete them from your phone’s gallery if backup is disabled. However, if photos are backed up to Google Photos and then you delete them from the Google Photos app, they will also be deleted from your device if “Free up space” feature was used or if deletion was synced across devices while backup was active.
