Samsung ends OneDrive backup, switches to Google Photos in Gallery
Samsung has begun rolling out Google Photos integration within its native Gallery app, marking a significant shift in the company’s cloud backup strategy. The move comes after Samsung confirmed earlier this year that it would end its long-standing partnership with Microsoft for OneDrive photo and video backups.
New “Sync photos and videos” option appears in Samsung Gallery
According to tipster Ice Universe on X, the latest version of Samsung Gallery (v15.9.01.7) now includes a “Sync photos and videos” option. Users can access this feature by opening the Gallery app, then navigating to Menu > Settings > Sync photos and videos.
However, the feature does not appear to be universally available yet. Some Galaxy owners report that the option is already active on their devices, while others — including our own testing units — have not yet seen the integration go live. This suggests a phased rollout that may take several weeks to reach all eligible devices.
Why this matters for Galaxy users
This integration is particularly useful for users who prefer Google’s cloud backup ecosystem but would rather not rely on the standalone Google Photos app for managing their libraries. With the new sync option, Galaxy owners can configure automatic backups directly from Samsung Gallery, streamlining the workflow without needing to switch between apps.
That said, users only need to set up automatic cloud backups once via the Google Photos app, so the practical advantage may be marginal for those already accustomed to Google’s ecosystem.
Other OEMs already adopted Google Photos integration
Samsung is not the first Android manufacturer to integrate Google Photos support into its native gallery app. Companies like Xiaomi, OnePlus, and OPPO introduced similar functionality back in 2024, allowing users to automatically back up photos and videos to Google’s cloud directly from their OEM gallery applications.
Limitations: No full Google Photos library browsing
Despite the welcome addition of cloud backup, there is a notable limitation. According to Google’s official support page, Samsung Gallery will only have access to media items that were originally backed up via Gallery Cloud Sync. Users will not be able to browse their entire Google Photos library — including photos backed up from other devices or sources — directly within Samsung Gallery.
This is a missed opportunity, especially considering that other OEM gallery apps offered full library browsing capabilities as far back as 2024. Full integration would have allowed Galaxy users to quickly edit previously backed-up photos using Samsung Gallery’s robust editing tools, enhancing the overall user experience.
OneDrive partnership ends this month
Samsung’s previous partnership with Microsoft for OneDrive integration is scheduled to expire at the end of September 2026. As this deadline approaches, it is likely that more Galaxy users will begin seeing the Gallery/Google Photos integration roll out to their devices.
For now, users who do not see the “Sync photos and videos” option are advised to check for Gallery app updates and ensure their devices are running the latest software version.
