Pankil Shah from Android Authority recently explored the evolving landscape of Samsung Gallery, particularly its shift from OneDrive to Google Photos for cloud backup. This transition is significant for users who appreciate the functionality of Samsung Gallery but rely on Google Photos for their cloud storage needs. Shah, a self-proclaimed enthusiast of both platforms, delved into the implications of this change, assessing what users gain and what they might miss out on.
What’s changing with Samsung Gallery
Historically, Samsung Gallery users enjoyed seamless integration with OneDrive, allowing for effortless cloud backups without the need for additional applications. This integration positioned Samsung Gallery as a viable alternative to Google Photos, particularly for those entrenched in the Microsoft ecosystem. However, as of September 30, 2026, Samsung has officially discontinued this OneDrive integration. While existing backups remain secure, users will now need to utilize the OneDrive app for future uploads, marking a departure from the previously streamlined experience.
The more noteworthy development is the newly established capability for Samsung Gallery to sync directly with Google Photos. This enhancement is particularly beneficial for users who prefer managing their images through Samsung Gallery while leveraging Google Photos for storage.
How to enable Google Photos sync in Samsung Gallery
Enabling Google Photos sync within Samsung Gallery is a straightforward process, albeit limited to personal Google accounts—Workspace accounts are not supported. Users must ensure their Gallery app is updated to version 15.9.01.7 or later. The setup process is simple:
- Open the Samsung Gallery app.
- Tap the Menu icon at the bottom and select Settings.
- Navigate to Sync photos and videos.
- Choose the Google account for backing up photos and videos.
- Tap Continue.
Once configured, Samsung Gallery will display the storage status of the selected Google account and commence backing up photos and videos. By default, only the camera roll is backed up, but users can adjust this by selecting Albums to sync. Additionally, options to sync over mobile data or while roaming are available.
Samsung Gallery and Google Photos backups work slightly differently
While the integration of Google account sync into Samsung Gallery is a significant advancement, it does not render the Google Photos app obsolete. Notably, photos backed up through Samsung Gallery do not appear in Google Photos Memories, Highlights, Live Albums, or Search features. Users seeking these functionalities will need to continue backing up directly through the Google Photos app.
Moreover, Samsung Gallery is limited to displaying only those photos and videos backed up via its Cloud Sync. This means that any images uploaded from another device using the Google Photos app will not be visible in Samsung Gallery. Unlike Google Photos, Samsung Gallery lacks a manual backup option for specific images, reinforcing the necessity of the Google Photos app for certain users.
On the flip side, backing up through Samsung Gallery eliminates the need for Google Photos solely for backup purposes. However, this convenience comes with the caveat that users will miss out on the full suite of Google Photos features, including advanced search capabilities on the web.
This transition may present challenges for Microsoft 365 subscribers who continue to pay for OneDrive storage, as the backup process has become slightly more complex. Conversely, for those already integrated into Google’s ecosystem, this change represents a significant upgrade in functionality.
As this new chapter unfolds, users are encouraged to reflect on whether these changes simplify or complicate their photo management experience. Feedback from the community is welcomed as the conversation around this development continues.
