To unsync Google Photos, turn off Backup in the Google Photos app. This stops new photos and videos from uploading from that device. It does not automatically delete items already backed up to your Google Account, and it does not remove local files from your phone.
“Sync” is the phrase many people use, but Google now labels the main setting Backup. The steps below cover Android, iPhone and iPad, and computers, plus the important difference between stopping uploads and removing existing cloud copies.
What Happens When You Turn Off Google Photos Backup?
- New photos and videos from that device stop uploading automatically.
- Items already stored in Google Photos remain in your Google Account.
- Local photos already on the device remain there unless you delete them separately.
- Other phones or tablets signed into the same account can continue backing up if Backup is still enabled on those devices.
- You can still open Google Photos, view cloud items, edit photos, create albums, and upload selected files manually.
Important: turn off Backup on every device you want to disconnect. Changing it on one phone does not necessarily stop another signed-in device from uploading.
How to Unsync Google Photos on Android
- Open the Google Photos app.
- Confirm that you are signed in to the correct Google Account.
- Tap your profile picture or initial in the top-right corner.
- Tap Photos settings.
- Tap Backup.
- Turn Backup off.
Google’s current Google Photos backup guide uses this path. Afterward, the account menu should report that Backup is off.
Stop Only Screenshots or Other Device Folders
Android lets you control folders separately. Go to Profile picture > Photos settings > Backup > Back up device folders, then turn off folders such as Screenshots, WhatsApp Images, Downloads, or social-media folders while leaving camera backup enabled.
This is often better than disabling all backup when unwanted screenshots or app images are the main problem.
How to Unsync Google Photos on iPhone or iPad
- Open Google Photos.
- Tap your profile picture or initial.
- Open Google Photos settings.
- Tap Backup.
- Turn Backup off.
Your Apple Photos library and iCloud Photos are separate services from Google Photos. Turning off Google Photos Backup does not turn off iCloud Photos.
Optional: Remove Google Photos Access to Apple Photos
If you want a stronger separation, open the iPhone or iPad Settings app, find Google Photos, and change its Photos permission. Choosing limited or no access prevents the app from seeing all items in your Apple Photos library.
Permission names can vary by iOS version. Do this only after confirming that important items exist where you expect them.
How to Stop Google Photos Backup on a Computer
The Google Photos website does not automatically scan and upload every file on your computer by itself. Automatic computer uploads normally come from Google Drive for desktop or another configured upload workflow.
- Open Google Drive for desktop.
- Open Preferences.
- Select the computer folder that is sending photos.
- Turn off the option to back up that folder to Google Photos, or remove the folder from the backup configuration.
- Review the change before confirming so you do not disconnect files you still want backed up.
If you upload through a browser, simply stop selecting files for upload; there is no background photo sync controlled by photos.google.com.
How to Stop Backup Without Deleting Anything
- Wait for any important pending uploads to finish—or make a separate copy first.
- Turn off Backup in Google Photos on every device you want to disconnect.
- Check several important photos in both your device gallery and photos.google.com.
- Do not use Free up space or delete cloud items unless you understand which copy will be removed.
Turning off Backup is reversible. You can re-enable it later from the same menu.
How to Remove Backed-Up Photos from Google but Keep Them on Android
This is different from simply unsyncing. Google’s documented workflow is:
- Turn off Backup on the Android device where you want the local copies to stay.
- Turn off Backup on any other device where those photos should remain local.
- Using a computer or mobile browser, open photos.google.com and delete the selected backed-up items.
- Wait a few minutes, keep the Android device connected to Wi-Fi, then close and reopen Google Photos.
- Check an item’s details to confirm that the remaining copy is local and not backed up.
- Leave Backup off so the items are not uploaded again.
Google Photos may also offer Undo backup for this device on supported Android versions. That feature is designed to remove photos and videos currently found on the device from Google Photos while retaining the device copies. Read the confirmation screen carefully before proceeding.
Why Deleting Inside the App Can Be Risky
When Backup is enabled, deleting a photo in Google Photos may delete the backed-up item and synchronize that deletion across devices. If your goal is “remove from Google but keep on phone,” first turn off Backup and verify the local copy.
Also distinguish these actions:
- Turn off Backup: stops future automatic uploads.
- Delete: removes selected items, potentially across synchronized locations.
- Free up space: removes local device copies that are already backed up.
- Archive: hides items from the main Photos view but keeps them in the account.
- Locked Folder: changes visibility and access; it is not the same as disabling backup.
How to Check Whether a Photo Is Backed Up
- Open the photo in Google Photos.
- Tap the three-dot menu or swipe up.
- Review Details.
- Look for the backup status and account information.
When Backup is off, a cloud-check indicator can identify an item that is already stored in Google Photos, while a cloud-slash indicator can show that an item is not backed up. Interface icons can change, so Details is the safest place to confirm.
How to Unsync One Google Account
If several Google Accounts are signed in, make sure you are changing Backup for the correct account. Open Photos settings > Backup and review the account shown under Account and storage. You can switch the backup account or turn Backup off.
Signing out, removing the account from the device, or uninstalling the app is not a substitute for checking the Backup setting and confirming where your photos are stored.
Google Photos and iCloud Photos: Are They Synced Together?
They are separate cloud libraries. On an iPhone, both services may have access to the same local Apple Photos library, so the same image can be uploaded to both. Turning off Google Photos Backup stops Google uploads but does not disable iCloud Photos. Change iCloud settings separately in Apple Settings if needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will unsyncing Google Photos delete my pictures?
No. Turning off Backup by itself does not delete existing cloud or local copies. Deletion and Free up space are separate actions.
Will turning off Backup free Google Account storage?
No. It prevents new uploads but does not remove items already stored in Google Photos. Existing backed-up photos continue to use Google Account storage unless they qualify for an older storage policy or are deleted.
Can I keep camera backup but stop screenshots?
Yes, on Android. Open Back up device folders and disable the Screenshots folder while leaving the camera folder enabled.
Can I still upload selected photos manually?
Yes. With automatic Backup off, you can choose individual photos or videos and upload them manually.
Does deleting the Google Photos app stop backup?
Removing the app prevents that installation from running, but the safest approach is to turn Backup off first and verify the status. Other devices signed into the account may still upload.
Why do I still see photos after turning off Backup?
Turning off Backup does not hide cloud items or local device photos. The Google Photos app can display both. Check each item’s Details to see where it is stored.
Bottom Line
To unsync Google Photos safely, turn off Backup on each affected device and verify important pictures in both the device gallery and your Google Account. Do not delete anything until you understand whether you are viewing a local copy, a cloud copy, or both.
