Google has added a new option to its Photos app that will make deleting backed-up photos and videos easier. It was reportedly spotted in June, with code strings from the Google Photos app pointing to a feature with similar functionality. The ‘Undo Device Backup’ option allows users to remove media from Google’s cloud storage space without affecting its presence on a specific device’s local storage.
Google announced the feature’s rollout on its support page. Before its introduction, it was impossible to delete pictures and videos from a Google Photos backup without removing them from the device’s local storage. While there was a workaround involving turning off the backup on a mobile device and then using a desktop to delete media, it required going the extra mile.
Google says it has released the ‘Undo Device Backup’ feature for users who do not want all of their videos and photos backed up anymore. It could particularly come in handy for users who are not enrolled in the Google One plan and have just 15GB of storage for Gmail and Google Photos combined.
To use this feature:
- Open the Google Photos app.
- Tap the profile picture icon > Google Photos settings > Backup.
- Select undo backup for this device.
- Check the box which states, “I understand my photos and videos from this device will be deleted from Google Photos”.
- Tap Delete Google Photos backup.
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With this feature, all photos and videos stored locally on a specific device will be deleted from the Google Photos backup without affecting their local counterparts. They will be removed from all albums, shared albums, search results, and memories. It includes media in the Photos app’s locked folder. Google says that once the Undo Device Backup option is used, the backup will be turned off automatically.
