How to completely disable synchronization in Google Photos on Android: 5 methods

Synchronizing photos via Google Photos —a convenient function for automatically backing up pictures to the cloud. But not all users need it: some want to save mobile traffic, others want to free up space in their account Google, and still others simply do not trust cloud services. Fortunately, you can disable synchronization either completely or selectively - for individual folders or file types.

In this article you will find current ways to disable synchronization on Android smartphones for all versions of the Google Photos application (including the updated interface for 2026). We will analyze both standard settings and hidden parameters that are not always obvious. We will also explain what will happen to already downloaded files after disabling - this point often causes confusion.

Why you should disable synchronization in Google Photos

Automatic Uploading photos to the cloud has several hidden disadvantages that many users do not think about:

• 📉 Traffic consumption: even in the background, the application consumes up to 500 MB per month when actively using the camera. On tariffs with limited Internet, this is critical.
• 💾 Used space in your account: free 15 GB in Google Drive quickly ends, especially if you shoot videos in 4K or take a lot of photos in RAW.
• 🔒 Privacy: all uploaded files are analyzed by algorithms Google to recognize faces, places and objects. Even if you do not use Google Lens, the metadata is saved.
• 🔋 Battery drain: constant synchronization in the background increases power consumption by 7-12% (according to tests Android Authority 2023).

Except In addition, after disabling synchronization, you can:

• 📁 Manage files manually: upload only important photos to the cloud, and not the entire stream from the camera.
• 🔄 Avoid duplicates: Google Photos often creates copies of edited photos, taking up unnecessary space.
• 🛡️ Use alternatives: for example, synchronize photos only through Wi-Fi or switch to other services like Amazon Photos (free storage for owners Prime).

⚠️ Attention: if you turn off synchronization, new photos will no longer be automatically saved to the cloud. Already the downloaded files will remain in Google Photos, but you will have to delete them manually through the web version or application.

Method 1: Disable synchronization through Google Photos settings

The easiest method is to use the built-in application options. It works. for most devices on Android 8.0 and newer, including smartphones Samsung, Xiaomi, Pixel and others. Here are step-by-step guide:

1. Open the application Google Photos (multi-colored "daisy" icon).
2. Tap on your profile (avatar in the upper right corner).
3. Select item Photo settings (or Photo settings on the English version).
4. Go to section Backup and synchronization (Back up & sync).
5. Move the slider to position Off. (gray color).

After this, a warning will appear that new photos will not be saved to the cloud. Confirm the action by clicking OK.

If this section is missing in your application, you may be using an outdated version. Update Google Photos via Play Market or use alternative methods from the following sections.

⚠️ Attention: on some firmware (for example, MIUI from Xiaomi or One UI from Samsung) the path to the settings may differ. If you do not find the section Reserve copy, try going through Settings → Accounts → Google → Data synchronization.

Method 2: Selectively disabling synchronization for individual folders

It is not necessary to disable synchronization completely. You can prohibit downloading files from specific folders - for example, screenshots, downloads. from instant messengers or photos from other applications. This is useful if you want to save a backup for personal photos, but do not want to fill the cloud with unnecessary files.

How to do this:

1. Open Google Photos and go to Library → Device (or Device folders).
2. Click on the three dots (⋮) next to the folder you want to exclude (for example, Screenshots or Telegram).
3. Select Backup settings (Back up settings).
4. Move the slider to Off for this folder.

Type folders	Synchronization recommendation	Reason
Camera (Camera)	Enable	Main photos that are important to save
Screenshots (Screenshots)	Disable	Take up space, but rarely needed in the cloud
WhatsApp Images	Disable	Memes and temporary media files
Downloads (Downloads)	Disable	Contains random files from the Internet
DCIM/100ANDRO (Photos from camera)	Enable	Main personal storage snapshots

If the desired folder is not in the list, check if it is hidden in the Android settings. To do this:

1. Open Settings → Storage on your phone.
2. Tap on Files or File Manager.
3. Find the folder manually and make sure it contains files that should not be synced.

Method 3: Disabling synchronization through account settings Google

If for some reason you cannot disable backup directly in Google Photos, do it through the Android system settings. This method works even on devices with custom firmware or limited rights (for example, on work phones).

Instructions:

1. Open Settings phone.
2. Go to section Accounts (or Users & accounts).
3. Select your Google account (usually it is displayed with your email).
4. Tap on Account synchronization (Account sync).
5. Find in list Google Photos and disable the slider.

On some devices (for example, Huawei without services Google) this section may be missing. In this case, use Method 1 or Method 4.

⚠️ Attention: disabling synchronization through an account Google may affect other services, for example Google Drive or Gmail. If after this you stop receiving emails or updating documents, return the settings back and use another method.

What to do if the "Account Synchronization" section is missing?

On some firmware (for example, ColorOS from Oppo or FuntouchOS from Vivo) the path may differ. Try:

• Go to Settings → Advanced → Synchronization.
• Use search in settings (magnifying glass icon) and enter "synchronization".
• Update services Google Play via Play Market.

If all else fails, reset the application settings Google Photos to Settings → Applications → Google Photos → Storage → Reset settings.

Method 4: Limiting synchronization over a mobile network

If you need to leave a backup, but reduce traffic consumption, set up downloading photos only via Wi-Fi. This is relevant for users with limited mobile plans or slow Internet.

How to set up:

1. Open Google Photos and go to Settings → Backup and synchronization.
2. Tap on Mobile data settings (Mobile data settings).
3. Select Only via Wi-Fi (Wi-Fi only).
4. Optional: set a download limit for the mobile network (for example, 50 MB in day).

You can also limit downloading only when connected to charging:

1. In the same section, find Backup while charging.
2. Enable this option if you want photos to be synced only when the phone charging.

Synchronization mode	Traffic consumption	Download speed	Suitable for
Wi-Fi only	0 MB (mobile traffic)	High	Users with a limited tariff
Wi-Fi + mobile data	100–500 MB/month	Average	Unlimited tariffs
Only when charging	Depends on the network	Low	Savings batteries
Manual download	0 MB (auto-sync off)	—	Maximum control

If you travel frequently or are roaming, it is recommended to completely disable synchronization on the mobile network to avoid unexpected expenses.

Method 5: Block background traffic for Google Photos

If the previous methods did not work or you want to ensure that any uploads to the cloud are stopped, block application access to the Internet through system settings. This is a radical method, but it will stop synchronization 100%.

Instructions for Android 10 and newer:

1. Open Settings → Applications.
2. Find Google Photos in the list and tap on it.
3. Select Mobile data (Mobile data).
4. Disable the slider Allow background traffic (Allow background data).
5. Go back and select Wi-Fi.
6. Also disable Background traffic.

For Android 9 and older:

1. Go to Settings → Networks and Internet → Data transfer.
2. Tap on Data usage by applications.
3. Find Google Photos and disable Background data.

After this, the application will not be able to upload or download files without your direct participation (for example, when opening Google Photo and manually updating).

⚠️ Attention: blocking background traffic may interfere with other functions, for example:

• Automatic creation of collages and animations.
• Updating albums (People, Places, Things).
• Receive notifications about new features.

If these features are important to you, use Method 1 or Method 4.

What to do if synchronization does not turn off

Sometimes even after all the manipulations Google Photos continues to upload files to the cloud This can happen due to:

• 🔄 Application cache: old settings are saved in memory.
• 📱 System updates: after an Android update, some permissions are reset.
• 🤖 Google Play Services: they can restart synchronization.
• 📁 Hidden folders: some files (for example, from .thumbnails) are synchronized automatically.

Solutions:

1. Clear cache:

   Settings → Applications → Google Photos → Storage → Clear cache

2. Delete application data (attention: this will delete settings, but not photos!):

   Settings → Applications → Google Photos → Storage → Delete data

3. Disable autorun:

   Settings → Applications → Google Photos → Autorun → Disable

4. Check permissions:

   Settings → Applications → Google Photos → Permissions → Disable "Storage"

   (this will block access to files, but the application will stop working correctly).

If all else fails, try:

• 📥 Install the old version of Google Photos (for example, 5.0–6.0), where the synchronization settings are more flexible. You can download the APK from the site APKMirror.
• 🛠️ Use an alternative gallery, for example Simple Gallery or A+ Gallery, which are not are synchronized with the cloud.
• 🔧 Disable Google Play services (radical method, not recommended for the main phone).

What happens to already downloaded photos after synchronization is turned off

Many users are afraid that after turning off backup, all photos will disappear from the cloud. This is not true - already downloaded files remain in Google Photos, but the following changes occur with them:

Action	Result	How to check
Disable synchronization	New photos are not loaded, old ones remain	Open photos.google.com in the browser
Deleting a photo from your phone	The file remains in the cloud (if downloaded)	Check the folder Archive in Google Photos
Deleting from Google Photos	The file is deleted from the cloud, but remains on the phone (unless the option is enabled Delete from device)	Look in the phone gallery
Restart synchronization	Only new ones are downloaded files (old ones are not duplicated)	Compare the dates of files in the cloud and on the phone

If you want completely delete photos from Google Photos, do the following:

1. Open photos.google.com in the browser.
2. Select files (or click Ctrl+A to select all).
3. Click on the trash can icon (🗑️) and confirm deletion.
4. Go to Trash and clear it (files are stored there for 60 days).

⚠️ Attention: if you used the Free up space function in Google Photos, then the original photos may have been deleted from the phone. Before turning off synchronization, make sure. that all important files are saved locally. To do this, check the folder DCIM/Camera through any file manager.

💡

To save copies of all photos from Google Photos to your computer, use the tool Google Takeout (takeout.google.com). It allows you to download an archive with all media files in original quality.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about Google Photos synchronization

Is it possible to disable synchronization only for videos, but leave it for photos?

Yes, this is possible. Go to Settings → Backup and synchronization → Backup settings and select Download quality. Here you can disable downloading of videos or limit their quality (for example, only 1080p instead of 4K).

Why after disabling photo synchronization everything are loaded equally?

Probable reasons:

• You have disabled synchronization in the wrong account (if you have several Google accounts on your phone).
• The option is enabled Backup via mobile network (check Method 4).
• The application has been updated and the settings have been reset (update Google Photos to the latest version).
• Synchronization is started by another application (for example, Google Drive or Gallery from the manufacturer).

Solution: check all the methods from this article and clear the application cache.

How to disable Google Photos synchronization on a phone without Google services (Huawei, Honor)?

On devices without Google Mobile Services (for example, Huawei P40, Mate 50) The application Google Photos is not installed by default. If you installed it manually via APKthen:

1. Synchronization will only work when the application is open (background loading is not possible).
2. To disable it completely download, just delete the account Google in the phone settings or deny the application access to the storage.

Alternative: use Huawei Cloud or Petal Search for backup.

Is it possible to disable synchronization only for certain albums?

No, Google Photos there is no function to selectively disable synchronization for albums. However, you can:

• Exclude folders from which albums are created (see Method 2).
• Delete the album after downloading (it will remain on the phone, but will disappear from the cloud).
• Use labels (#nobackup) in file names - some third-party applications support this.

How to check if synchronization is really disabled?

Take a test photo and follow these steps:

1. Open Google Photos and refresh the page (pull down).
2. Check the section Photo —new image should not appear in the cloud.
3. Go to photos.google.com from your computer - there should also be no fresh files there.
4. Check the traffic consumption in Settings → Networks → Data usage → Google Photos (should be 0 MB).

If the photo still loaded, repeat Method 5 (blocking background traffic).