How To Stop Google Photos From Syncing & Taking Up All Your Space

Google Photos is an app ubiquitous and useful enough that information technology requires finer no introduction. And, among its plethora of features is its ability to automatically support every photograph you snap with your phone. For categorization, backing up, and more. But, while Google Photos syncing is undoubtedly ane of its all-time features, that doesn't hateful you won't ever want to cease it. Fifty-fifty momentarily.

Well, if that's what yous're looking to do and you tin't quite work it out, that's what this guide is here for.

Here's why you might want to end Google Photos from syncing

Now, it very nearly goes without saying that Google Photos is one of the all-time such apps around. In fact, information technology essentially set the bar for other apps in its category to aspire to. All merely creating the category all on its own. And, as noted in a higher place, syncing betwixt the cloud and your phone with Google Photos can be useful, upwardly until the point that it isn't and you want it to stop. But why would you want to stop syncing, to begin with?

In that location is a number of reasons why bankroll up photos can become a nuisance. 1 of the near prominent is that non every device you'll likely sign into is a personal 1. For users with work-related gadgets, automatic syncing can go across a uncomplicated hassle. Peculiarly when that device is your only prison cell phone. Then putting a stop to syncing in Google Photos can be more of a requirement than anything else. And the same holds true for photos takenfor work on a personal device.

Conversely, since Google now charges for storage space in the first place, images backing upwardly automatically isn't something everybody wants. Or can beget. Turning the characteristic off and syncing manually and then that only the captures yous know you want to continue forever are stored is, therefore, indispensable. At the very least for users to attain a truly enjoyable feel.

And, of course, there is any number of reasons well beyond these examples. Whether for storage space-related reasons, privacy, keeping your photos stored locally and away from Google, or for any other reason.

Stop Google Photos from syncing

Google makes information technology relatively easy to stop files from syncing to Google Photos, simply in that location is a caveat to that. Namely, you'll need to follow these steps for every device you currently have syncing photos.

That comes downwards to the fact that syncing in Google Photos is on a per-device basis. With each Android gadget or calculator that y'all're using uploading photos individually. With that said, the process actually couldn't be any easier. And the steps will be virtually identical for but about whatsoever device from the Photos app. Nosotros'll exist using Android for our example. So permit's get started.

Open the Google Photos application
Tap — or click — on your profile image at the top-right-paw side of the UI
Inside the resulting menu, provided you lot've got syncing turned on for Google Photos, there should be an option that reads "Backup complete" or like. That volition the be 2d option from the top on the menu. Tap or click on that
Tap or click on the three-vertical-dots menu at the top-right-manus side of the resulting page
Select the "Backup settings" pick
Further downward on the resulting folio, you'll exist able to purchase more storage or manage storage. In that location are as well options for selecting a smaller — but still high definition — syncing option. Also as options to use or non use cellular data for uploads. But the option we're looking for, for this segment of the guide, is right at the acme. Labeled "Back up & sync." Flip the associated toggle to "off"
Google Photos volition no longer be syncing any photos that weren't already syncing or that aren't selected to upload manually

You can, of course, upload photos manually still. That'due south via the home page of the app and by outset selecting an individual photo y'all'd like to sync. And then past tapping the cloud-shaped upload icon at the height of the page. Or by selecting multiple photos, so tapping the three-dot icon at the top-right-hand side of the UI before selecting "Back up now."

Stop individual types or folders of photos from bankroll up, or back them up

Of form, Google also offers the option to sync or stop syncing on specific device folders or types automatically in its Photos app that'south relatively straightforward too. That way, if you accept an private file type or binder that you don't want to be backed upwards, you don't take to. For example, screenshots or images from whatever given mobile app.

However, the process may not be as intuitive equally some users might like since information technology isn't necessarily plant where you lot'd expect.

Open up Google Photos
Navigate back to the "Backup settings" page, following steps two through 5 above
Almost the lesser of the page, tap on the "Back up device folders" option
Toggle on or off any device folders you'd like to support or stop bankroll up
Conversely, yous tin can besides navigate to the Library tab of the Google Photos app by tapping or otherwise selecting the "Library" icon. That's labeled and located in the bottom bar of the UI — at the correct-hand side, as of this writing
Virtually the meridian of the resulting UI is a horizontally scrollable bar labeled "Photos on device" and a "View all" push. Tap View All
Within the resulting UI, folders that aren't being backed upwards are labeled with a crossed-out cloud icon. Those that are backed upwards are labeled with just a cloud icon. Y'all can select folders that are or are not bankroll up and toggle the switch from in that location instead of via the "Fill-in settings" carte

Turn Google Photos sync back on

Of course, at some point, it's not unlikely that you'll desire to plough Google Photos syncing back on, even if only for a moment before stopping it over again. And that's fairly straightforward too. The task can be accomplished by following this guide to get to the appropriate setting folio. And then by but toggling the switch back into the on position.