Google Photos has introduced a new feature for Android users called “Undo device backup,” allowing them to remove cloud-stored photos and videos without affecting the local copies on their device. This update gives users greater control over their backed-up content, making it easier to manage storage while keeping important memories safe on their phone.
What Is the ‘Undo Device Backup’ Feature?
Previously, once photos and videos were backed up to Google Photos, removing them from the cloud often meant losing access to them unless they were manually saved elsewhere. With the Undo device backup option, users can now erase their cloud backups while keeping local copies intact on their Android devices. This feature was initially launched for iOS users and has now arrived for Android with Google Photos version 7.18.
How to Use ‘Undo Device Backup’ on Google Photos
If you want to remove your cloud backups without deleting the original files from your phone, follow these steps:
- Open Google Photos – Launch the Google Photos app on your Android device.
- Go to Settings – Tap on your profile picture at the top right corner and select “Photos settings.”
- Access Backup Settings – Navigate to the “Backup” section.
- Initiate Undo Backup – Scroll down and tap “Undo backup for this device.”
- Confirm Deletion – Check the box confirming that all backed-up photos and videos from this device will be removed from the cloud.
- Complete the Process – Tap “Delete Google Photos backup” to remove the backed-up content from Google Photos.
Once completed, the backup feature for your device will be disabled, preventing new uploads unless you manually re-enable the backup setting.
Key Considerations Before Using This Feature
- Other Devices & Accounts: If you’re using Google Photos on multiple devices, media from those devices may still remain backed up.
- Shared Libraries: If you’ve set up partner sharing, backed-up media might still be accessible to your shared partner.
- No Immediate Reversal: Once cloud backups are deleted, you can’t restore them from Google Photos unless you have another copy elsewhere.
Why This Feature Matters
For users who want to free up cloud storage without losing their photos entirely, this is a welcome change. It prevents accidental data loss while allowing more flexibility in managing Google Photos storage, especially for those using limited cloud space.
With this update, Google Photos continues to improve its backup management features, giving users greater control over where and how their media is stored. If you rely on Google Photos for cloud backups but want to regain control over storage, this feature is worth exploring.