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Google Photos rolling out ‘Undo device backup’ setting

The Google Photos mobile app is rolling out a new setting that basically lets you undo a backup, and “remove all of the photos and videos that are currently found on your device in Google Photos.” 

Notably, this new option will not delete “those photos and videos off of your device.” This option is for when you “might not want all of your photos on your device backed up anymore.” Note that:

  • When you undo device backup, your deleted photos will also be removed from albums, shared albums, search results, and memories.
  • Photos and videos in Locked Folder will be included.

Undo device backup is rolling out now to Google Photos for iOS and will “soon” be available on Android. To access:

  1. Open the Google Photos app.
  2. At the top, tap your Profile picture or Initial and then Google Photos settings, and then Backup.
  3. To view the off-screen items below, scroll.
  4. Tap Undo backup for this device.
  5. Next to “I understand my photos and videos from this device will be deleted from Google Photos,” check the box.
  6. Tap Delete Google Photos backup.

After your Google Photos backup is deleted, “Backup will be turned off automatically on that device.” More details are available in this support article.

Meanwhile, Google last week confirmed the change to Partner Sharing wherein “photos from third-party Android apps are no longer automatically shared with your partner’s account.” This change was made to reduce “clutter and helps to keep your partner’s feed more focused.” You’re advised to manually share images and videos.

More on Google Photos:

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Avatar for Abner Li Abner Li

Editor-in-chief. Interested in the minutiae of Google and Alphabet. Tips/talk: abner@9to5g.com

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