Google Photos Deletion FAQs: What Happens to My Photos?

Welcome to our guide on what happens to your photos if you delete the Google Photos app. This article aims to clarify common concerns and provide you with the necessary information to make informed decisions about your photos and your usage of Google Photos.

Understanding Your Photos on Google Photos

Your photos on Google Photos belong to you, not to Google. They are part of your personal belongings stored in the cloud. With the removal of the app, your photos will not be deleted, but their upload and automatic backup might be affected.

Key Points for Non-Google Pixel Users

Before June 1, 2021:

Pictures uploaded in high-quality mode will remain free and stored forever. No changes are made to your existing photos.

After June 1, 2021:

New photos will be subject to Google’s storage quotas. If you exceed your quota, you won't be able to upload more photos. If you stop paying for additional storage, you have about one month to transfer your photos elsewhere.

Automatic Backup and Manual Upload

The Google Photos app allows for automatic backup of photos. If you delete the app, your photos on the cloud will remain, but they will no longer be automatically uploaded to your Google Photos account. If you want to continue backing up your photos, you will need to do it manually.

Where Are Your Photos Stored?

Your photos are stored in the cloud, not in the app data on your phone or tablet. This means your photos are safe and secure in the cloud, even if you delete the Google Photos app.

Synced Photos and Their Fate

If you have synced photos in Google Photos after signing in with your Gmail account, these photos will stay in the cloud, even if you delete the app from your phone.

Deleting Photos in the App and Their Impact

Deleting photos from the Google Photos app will also delete them from your phone's internal memory. For non-auto backup users, if you delete photos in the app, they will also be deleted from your internal memory. However, for auto backup users, the photos will remain in the cloud.

Rest assured, deleting the Google Photos app will not delete your photos. This article and other resources, such as Google’s official policy announcements, provide detailed explanations to help you understand how your photos are managed within the cloud.

Stay secure and informed. If you have any further questions, refer to Google's support resources or detailed explanations available online.