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Google is removing the ability to back up PC folders to Google Photos via its Drive desktop app, with changes taking effect in June and August.
Google is removing the ability to back up PC folders to Google Photos through the Google Drive desktop app [1]. The company confirmed that this integration will be discontinued, though any items previously backed up via this method will not be affected by the change [1]. Users will need to transition to new methods starting in mid-June as the feature is phased out completely by August [1].
Key takeaways
Google detailed the schedule for this transition on its support page and via email notifications to subscribers [1]. The process begins on June 15, at which point users will no longer be able to set up new backup folders for Google Photos within the Drive desktop app [1]. While existing folders will continue to sync during this interim period, the company will issue in-app notifications to alert users of the impending change [1]. The feature will be fully terminated on August 10, when the Drive desktop app will cease all support for Google Photos backups [1].
To continue backing up media from a computer, Google recommends setting up the "Back up folders" feature directly through the Google Photos website [1]. Users can access this option by clicking the plus icon in the top right corner of the site [1]. However, this approach has a significant limitation: backups will only occur while the Google Photos website is open in a browser, preventing seamless background operation [1]. The company also suggests using the Google Photos web app as an alternative, which does allow backups to run in the background [1]. This solution, however, requires users to run two separate applications instead of relying on the single Drive desktop app [1].
This decision impacts power users who have utilized the Drive desktop app to manage media backups across multiple platforms [2]. The removal of this integration creates a less streamlined workflow, as users must now choose between a manual browser-based process or maintaining multiple background applications [1]. Although previously backed up content remains safe, the change forces a significant adjustment in how PC users interact with Google’s cloud storage services [1].
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