Google Photos on Android Introduces ‘Undo Device Backup’ Feature
Google Photos has introduced a new feature that allows users on Android devices to “Undo device backup.” Previously announced in December, this capability provides users with more control over their media storage in the app.
This option allows users to remove all the photos and videos currently stored from a specific device in Google Photos, effectively stopping the backup of that device’s media to the cloud. The feature was first added for iOS users and is now included in Google Photos version 7.18 for Android users.
If you want to use this feature, you need to follow a few simple steps. First, open the Google Photos app on your Android device. At the top of the screen, you’ll see your profile picture or initials. Tap this icon to access your Photos settings, then select the Backup option. You may need to scroll down a bit to see additional settings. From there, tap on “Undo backup for this device.”
Before proceeding, you will be prompted to acknowledge that all your photos and videos from this device will be deleted from the cloud storage. To confirm this, check the box next to the message indicating your understanding. After that, tap on “Delete Google Photos backup.”
It’s important to note that once this backup is undone, your photos and videos will still remain on your device; they just won’t be stored in Google’s cloud anymore. This means they will no longer appear in cloud albums, shared albums, search results, memories, or your Locked Folder.
The purpose of this feature is to cater to users who may decide that they no longer want to back up all their device’s pictures and videos to the cloud. It gives them the flexibility to manage what gets stored without losing their local files.
Google Photos has been continuously evolving to meet user needs. Alongside this new feature, the app offers tools for organizing, sharing, and enhancing your photos and videos. Users can create albums, edit images, and use features like facial recognition to find specific people in their pictures effortlessly.
Users have also appreciated Google Photos’ ability to merge multiple photos into animations or collages, and its advanced search capabilities allow finding images by the objects or activities they depict, even without specific tags.
The undo backup feature plays a significant role in privacy management, giving users more control over their content. This is especially pertinent for individuals who have concerns about cloud storage and wish to have greater control over their data.
Additionally, Google has reinforced its commitment to security, which includes ensuring that photos are backed up safely when users choose to do so. They provide options for encrypting your data, and you can also set up two-factor authentication for added security while using their services.
In conclusion, the latest update to Google Photos enhances the user experience by providing more options for managing and protecting personal media. Whether you’re looking to stop backups temporarily or permanently, these features give you the flexibility to handle your photos and videos in a way that suits your lifestyle.
