Changes to Mac Pictures & Movies Backups 

 This information is for staff members identified by Google as syncing their Mac Pictures and Movies folders to Google Photos through the “Google Drive for desktop” app.

 Google announced that they are changing how photos and videos are backed up to Google Photos. 

 Read the information below to:

• Understand what is happening
• Learn how to take action

What is happening and how you are affected:

Google is transitioning desktop photo backups from the "Google Drive for desktop" app interface to a dedicated experience within the Google Photos website. 

• Previous behavior: The “Google Drive for desktop” app allowed users to configure desktop folders to sync to Google Photos.

• New behavior: This functionality will be migrated to a new, dedicated experience directly in the Google Photos website. Pictures and movies will back up directly to Google Photos from Mac computers without going through the Google Drive for desktop app.

To continue backing up folders to Google Photos, users MUST reselect their preferred folders directly in Google Photos.

• Any items previously backed up through the Google Drive for desktop app will remain in Google Photos.
• Previously uploaded photos through the Google Drive for desktop app will not duplicate when the new backup process is configured.

Action Timeline: What You Need To Do:

• STARTING NOW: 

  • STEP 1: Confirm that you back up the Pictures and Movies folders through the “Google Drive for desktop” app: 
    • View this tipsheet or this video tutorial for steps to check. 
      • If you ARE NOT backing up pictures and movies through the app: There is nothing more you need to do.
      • If you ARE backing up Pictures and Movies folders through the app: You need to take action. Move on to step 2.
         
  • STEP 2: To configure Pictures and Movies backups in Google Photos:
    • View this tipsheet or this video tutorial (starting at 2:00m) to migrate your settings to the Google Photos website to avoid an interruption in backup services. 
       
  • STEP 3: After setting up the new Google Photos backups, return to the “Google Drive for desktop” app and remove the Pictures and Movies folders.
    • View steps in this video tutorial (starting at 3:40m).

   

 📽️  VIDEO TUTORIAL OF ALL THREE STEPS

• BEGINNING JUNE 15, 2026: 

  • In-app notifications will begin prompting users to transition to Google Photos if not already done.

   

• AUGUST 10, 2026: 

  • The “Google Drive for desktop” app will end support for Google Photos backup so no pictures will be backed up unless you configure the backup directly in Google Photos.

 If you have any questions about this process or would like to look at it with a member of Technology Services before the end of the school year, please reach out to tech support.