Google Photos website can now directly back up folders on your computer

Abner Li | Oct 18 2024 - 12:20 am PT

Google Photos on the web is getting an interesting new backup capability that can upload a folder “from your computer automatically.”

Every time you visit photos.google.com, Google will look at folders you’ve selected for new images and videos to upload. In concept, this is similar to the Google Drive for desktop app (Mac or Windows).

If this feature is rolled out to you, tap the Upload button in the app bar and select “Back up folders.” This will let you browse your computer to select a folder. Afterwards, you have to “Give Google Photos permission to back up your selected folders.”

Opening that menu again lets you access the “Folder backup” window that shows selected files, which you can remove, and add new ones.

We’re seeing this Google Photos folder backup feature with desktop Chrome, including on Chromebooks.

Compared to the Google Drive desktop app that works in the background, you still have to periodically navigate to photos.google.com. That said, this web solution is nice if you don’t want to download anything.