- The best way is to delete photos from Google Photos via the web or the app on a different device.
- You can also disable Google Photos sync and delete photos. However, you must keep the sync off, otherwise the photos will be deleted eventually.
- Another way to keep the photos safe is to move them from the default gallery to somewhere else before deleting photos.
What Happens When You Delete Photos?
When the backup and sync option is enabled on your device, the process creates two copies — online and on the device. While you can delete each copy, there are some conditions involved. Here are a few cases to help you understand better.
Case 1: Deleting Photo From Device After Backup
Whether the sync is enabled or disabled, deleting the local copy would not affect the cloud-stored version. The backed-up copy of the photo will remain intact in Google Photos and will still appear in the app and other shared devices.
Case 2: Delete Photo From Google Photos With Sync Enabled
Interestingly the scenario varies according to where you delete the photos from.
Delete from the mobile app on the same device – As part of Google’s storage management feature, the photo or video will also be removed from your device’s local storage.
Furthermore, since you’re deleting from Google Photos, the image will no longer be accessible through Google Photos cloud storage on any device or the web. So, it will be removed from the Google Photos app, its website, your phone gallery, and the file manager app.
Delete from the web or another synced device – The photo or video will be deleted from your Google Photos cloud storage. It will no longer appear in your Google Photos library on any device. However, it will still remain on the local storage of the original device.
Case 3: Delete Photo From Google Photos With Sync Disabled
Again it matters from which device you are deleting the image.
Delete from the mobile app on the same device – Since it’s out of sync, the photo will be deleted from Google’s cloud, not from the local storage. However, the moment you enable sync again, the photos will be deleted from the phone as well.
Delete from the web or another synced device – When you delete photos from Google Photos it will deleted from the cloud and not from the device. And unlike the above scenario, even when you enable the sync, the image will not be deleted from the device. In short, it will still remain on the local storage of the original device.
Solution
Well according to the above cases, there are three ways to delete a photo from Google Photos but not from the phone:
- Delete photos from the Google Photos web or app on a different device.
- Disable Google Photos sync and do not turn it on. (Otherwise, the photos will be deleted)
- Before deleting photos, move them from the default gallery to somewhere else.
Delete Photos From Google Photos But Not From Phone
Method 1. Delete Photos From Google Photos Web
Step 1 : Open Google Photos Web . Select the photos you want to delete.
Step 2 : Click the Delete (dustbin icon) from the top-right corner.
Step 3 : Select Move to Bin to delete the image/images.
Alternatively, you can also use the Google Photos app on a different device to delete photos as well. Open the app → select the images → tap Delete , and then Delete again to confirm.
Method 2. Disable Google Photos Sync and Delete Photos
Step 1 : Open the Google Photos app . Tap your profile picture → select Backup/ Backing up .
Step 2 : Here, toggle off the Backup switch.
Alternatively, tap your profile picture → Google Photos settings → Backup → toggle off Backup.
Now delete all the photos you want worry-free. Remember, the moment you enable the sync, Google Photos will delete the pictures from your device as well.
Method 3. Move Photos Before Deleting It From Google Photos
Tip : You can also use Google Takeout to download photos from Google Photos on desktop and mobile to keep them safe.
On Android
Step 1 . Go to your device’s File Explorer . Here, create a new folder .
Step 2 . Next, navigate to Internal Storage → DCIM → Camera . This folder holds the pictures captured using the phone’s camera.
Step 3 . Here select all photos that you want to delete from Google Photos. Tap Move or Copy .
Step 4 : Navigate to the new folder you created above and Paste the files there.
Once the files are moved or copied to the new folder, delete the cloud version worry-free.
However, ensure backup and sync aren’t enabled for the new local folder. To confirm, go to the Library tab of the Google Photos app and find the folder. A cloud icon with a line over it indicates that the folder isn’t synced. If synced, open the folder and toggle off Backup.
On iOS
Step 1 : Open the Photos app . Tap Select and choose the photos you want to move.
Step 2 : Tap the Share icon. Scroll down and select Save to Files .
Step 3 : Create or locate the folder and tap Save .
Now, you can continue with your deletion spree without worrying about those photos. They’ll be safe in the new folder you created for the purpose.
How to Recover Deleted Photos
Whether it’s Google Photos, an Android device, or an iOS device, all offer a handy recover deleted videos or photos feature.
On Google Photos
You can recover deleted photos in Google Photos for up to 60 days after deletion. Go to Library Tab → Trash. Tap Select → choose the images → Restore.
On Android
The steps might vary according to your device and Android version. Go to Android’s gallery → Albums or three-line icon → Recycle bin . Tap Edit → select images → Restore .
On iPhone
Open Photos app → Albums → scroll down to Recently Deleted and unlock if prompted. Tap Select → choose images → three-dot icon → Recover .
I wish things were different and the Google Photos app could provide a toggle or a setting that allows us to choose whether the photos are deleted from the device. But until then, we hope these hacks come in handy.
