Google Photos is a fantastic service for backing up and accessing your photos across devices. Its desktop sync feature conveniently uploads your precious memories from your computer to the cloud. However, there might be times when you need to stop this automatic syncing. Whether you’re concerned about storage limits, data usage, or simply want more control over what gets uploaded, understanding how to stop Google Photos syncing on your desktop is essential.
This guide provides you with five straightforward methods to stop Google Photos from uploading your photos from your desktop computer. Each solution offers a different level of control, from temporarily pausing uploads to completely disabling the sync feature. Choose the method that best suits your needs and take charge of your photo syncing preferences.
Pause Google Drive Sync to Temporarily Stop Google Photos Uploads
The simplest way to interrupt Google Photos upload is to pause the Google Drive sync process. Google Photos desktop syncing is integrated within the Google Drive Backup and Sync application. Pausing Google Drive effectively pauses all syncing activities, including Google Photos uploads. This is a temporary solution, perfect for when you need a quick break from syncing without permanently altering your settings.
On Windows PC:
Step 1: Locate the Backup and Sync app icon in your taskbar, usually found in the system tray in the bottom right corner of your screen. Click on the icon to open the Backup and Sync menu.
Step 2: Within the menu, you will see three vertical dots (ellipses). Click on these ellipses to reveal more options.
Step 3: From the options presented, select “Pause”. This action will immediately pause Google Drive sync, and consequently, stop Google Photos upload. If syncing is already paused, you will see a “Resume” option instead.
Pause Google Drive Sync on Windows to stop Google Photos upload
On Apple Mac:
Step 1: Find the Backup and Sync app icon in your macOS menu bar, typically located at the top right of your screen. Click the icon to access the Backup and Sync menu.
Step 2: Similar to Windows, click on the ellipses (three vertical dots) within the menu to expand the options.
Step 3: Select “Pause” from the list. This will halt the Google Drive sync process and stop your photos from syncing to Google Photos. As with Windows, if sync is paused, you’ll see “Resume”.
Pause Backup and Sync on Mac to stop photo syncing to Google Photos
Disconnect Your Google Account: A Quick Way to Halt Photo Syncing
Another immediate way to stop Google Photos upload is to disconnect your Google Account from the Backup and Sync application. This action breaks the link between your computer and Google Drive, effectively stopping all syncing processes, including photo uploads.
On Windows PC:
Step 1: Click the Backup and Sync app icon in the taskbar to open the menu. Select the ellipses (three vertical dots) and then choose “Preferences”.
Open Backup and Sync Preferences on Windows to disconnect Google account
Step 2: In the Preferences window, navigate to the “Settings” tab.
Step 3: Within the Settings tab, you will find the “Disconnect Account” option. Click on this button.
Disconnect Google Account from Backup and Sync on Windows
Step 4: A confirmation prompt will appear. Confirm your decision to disconnect your account. This will immediately stop Google Photos upload.
On Apple Mac:
Step 1: Click the Backup and Sync app icon in the macOS menu bar. Select the ellipses and then choose “Preferences”.
Access Backup and Sync Preferences on Mac to disconnect account
Step 2: In the Preferences window, go to the “Settings” tab and click on “Disconnect Account”. Confirm your decision when prompted. This will disconnect your Google Account and stop Google Photos syncing.
Quit the Backup and Sync App to Immediately Stop Photo Uploads
Closing the Backup and Sync application is a straightforward method to instantly stop Google Photos uploads. When you quit the application, it ceases all background processes, including the syncing of photos. This method is effective for temporarily halting uploads, and syncing will resume when you relaunch the application.
On Windows PC:
To quit the Backup and Sync app on Windows, locate the app icon in the taskbar. Click on it to open the menu, select the ellipses, and then choose “Quit”. This action will close the application and stop Google Photos from syncing.
Pause Google Drive Sync on Windows to stop Google Photos upload
On Apple Mac:
To quit the app on macOS, click the Backup and Sync app icon in the menu bar. In the menu, select the ellipses, and then choose “Quit Backup and Sync”. This will close the application and immediately stop Google Photos upload on your Mac.
Pause Backup and Sync on Mac to stop photo syncing to Google Photos
Uninstall Backup and Sync: The Most Drastic Method to Stop Photo Syncing
Uninstalling the Google Backup and Sync application is the most definitive way to stop Google Photos uploads from your desktop. This action removes the application entirely, eliminating any syncing activity between your computer and Google Drive, including Google Photos. This is a more permanent solution for users who no longer wish to use the desktop sync feature.
On Windows PC:
Step 1: Open the Windows Start Menu by clicking the Windows icon in the bottom left corner of your screen and click on “Settings” (the gear icon).
Access Windows Settings to uninstall Backup and Sync
Step 2: In the Settings window, click on “Apps”.
Step 3: In the “Apps & features” section, scroll down to find “Backup and Sync from Google” in the list of installed applications. Select it.
Locate Backup and Sync in Apps & Features to uninstall
Step 4: Click the “Uninstall” button that appears. Confirm your decision when prompted to uninstall the application.
On Apple Mac:
Step 1: Open macOS Finder. In the Finder sidebar, click on “Applications”.
Step 2: Locate the “Backup and Sync” app in the Applications folder. Drag the Backup and Sync app icon to the “Trash” or “Bin” icon in your Dock. Alternatively, you can right-click (or two-finger tap on a trackpad) on the Backup and Sync app icon and select “Move to Trash”.
Drag Backup and Sync to Trash to uninstall on macOS
Step 3: To completely uninstall the application, empty the Trash. Click on the “Trash” or “Bin” icon in the Dock, and then select “Empty Trash”. Confirm when prompted.
Empty Trash to finalize Backup and Sync uninstall on Mac
Prevent Future Photo Syncs: Unchecking Photo Upload in Preferences
If you wish to continue using Google Drive sync but want to prevent photos from being uploaded to Google Photos, you can adjust the Backup and Sync preferences. By unchecking the folders containing your photos, you can stop future photo uploads while keeping other Google Drive syncing active.
On Windows PC:
Step 1: Open the Backup and Sync app menu from the taskbar icon. Select the ellipses and then click on “Preferences”.
Step 2: In the Preferences window, locate the section “My PC”. Here you will see a list of folders being backed up. Uncheck the “Pictures” folder, or any other folder that contains photos you don’t want to sync to Google Photos. Additionally, under “Google Photos”, uncheck the option “Upload newly added photos”.
Deselect Pictures folder in Backup and Sync preferences to stop Google Photos upload on Windows
On Apple Mac:
Step 1: Open the Backup and Sync app menu from the macOS menu bar icon. Select the ellipses and then choose “Preferences”.
Step 2: In the Preferences window, under “Choose folders to back up from your computer”, uncheck “Pictures” and “Photo Library”, or any other folders containing photos you wish to exclude from Google Photos sync. Also, uncheck the option “Upload newly added photos to Google Photos” to prevent automatic uploads of new photos.
Uncheck Pictures and Photo Library folders in Backup and Sync preferences to stop Google Photos sync on Mac
By using these methods, you can effectively manage and stop Google Photos from syncing photos from your desktop, giving you greater control over your photo backups and storage. Choose the solution that best fits your needs, whether it’s a temporary pause or a permanent stop to photo syncing.
