How to Stop Automatic Backup to Google Photos

Method 1: Stop Automatic Backup on Android and iPhone

Step 1: Open the Google Photos app and tap the profile icon at the top-right corner.

Step 2: You can tap on Manage Storage or Google Photos Settings.

Step 3: Tap on Back up and Sync at the top and disable the toggle for Back up and Sync.

Once you disable this feature, your photos and videos will stop uploading on Google Photos. You can still view them from the Google Photos app, but they will be saved on your smartphone. However, your previously backed-up photos will remain on your drive account.

You can also check our guide to learn how to delete photos from Google Photos but not from your phone.

Method 2: Stop Automatic Backup of Pictures in Photos App to Google Photos

The Google Photos app on your iPhone lets you back up images that you mark as Favorites in the Photos app. While that helps save space on iCloud, it eventually syncs to your Google account. To stop automatic backup to Google Photos, follow the below steps.

Step 1: Open the Google Photos app on your iPhone and tap the profile icon at the top-right corner.

Step 2: Tap on Google Photos Settings.

Step 3: Tap on Apple Photos > turn off the toggle for Sync Favorites.

Check out our guide to delete photos from Google Photos but not from iCloud and better manage your cloud storage and data.

Method 3: Stop Automatic Backup to Google Photos on Desktop

The Google Drive app is also available for Desktop users. Let us show you how to stop the automatic backup of photos and videos from your Mac or Windows PC to Google Drive.

Step 1: On Mac, click on the Google Drive icon on the right side of the top Menu Bar.

On Windows, click the arrow icon at the bottom-right corner of the desktop and click the Google Drive icon.

Step 2: Click the Settings icon from the popup message.

Step 3: Click on Pause Syncing from the list of options.