How to Disable Partner Sharing in Google Photos [Step-By-Step]
Disabling Partner Sharing is a straightforward process, but many users are unsure where to find the setting or what happens after they turn it off. When Partner Sharing is active, your selected photos are automatically shared with another account. Depending on your settings, this could include all photos or only those of specific people. Once you disable this feature, the automatic sharing stops immediately.
However, any photos your partner has already saved to their own library will remain in their account. Disabling sharing does not delete those images from their storage.
Also, if your partner was sharing photos with you as well, that connection will be removed, too. Essentially, both sides lose access to ongoing shared updates.
Let’s learn the complete process in detail!
How to Disable Partner Sharing in Google Photos?
To disable Partner Sharing in Google Photos, open the Google Photos app or website, go to Settings, select Partner Sharing, and choose Remove Partner or Stop Sharing. Confirm your choice, and the sharing connection will be permanently disabled.
Now, let us go through the step-by-step process.
Step 1: Open Google Photos on Your Device
The first step is to access your Google Photos account using your preferred device.
If you are using a smartphone, open the Google Photos app. Make sure you are signed in with the correct Google account. If you are on a computer, open your browser and go to the Google Photos website, then log in.
Once you are inside your photo library, check that your account profile picture is visible in the top-right corner. This confirms that you are signed in correctly.
This step is important because Partner Sharing settings are tied to your specific account, and making changes under the wrong account will not affect your current sharing setup.
Step 2: Access the Settings Menu
After opening Google Photos, the next step is to navigate to the Settings section, where all sharing preferences are managed.
On mobile, tap your profile picture in the top-right corner of the screen. A menu will appear, and from there, select Photos Settings.
On a desktop, click the gear icon usually located in the top-right corner. This will open the Settings page.
Inside Settings, you will find various options such as Backup, Notifications, and Sharing preferences. This is where Google Photos allows you to control how your content is shared and stored.
Take a moment to scroll through and familiarize yourself with the layout before proceeding to the next step.
Step 3: Locate Partner Sharing Settings
Within the Settings menu, look for the Partner Sharing option.
This section specifically controls the connection between your account and your partner’s account. If Partner Sharing is currently active, you will see details such as your partner’s email address and the sharing preferences you selected earlier.
Click or tap on Partner Sharing to open the detailed settings page.
Here, you will see options related to what is being shared, whether your partner can save photos, and other permissions.
This is the control center for managing your shared relationship, and it is where you will disable the feature.
Step 4: Select Remove Partner or Stop Sharing
Once inside the Partner Sharing settings, find the option labeled Remove Partner or Stop Sharing.
The wording may vary slightly depending on your device or app version, but both options serve the same purpose.
Click or tap this option to begin the process of disabling Partner Sharing.
At this point, Google Photos may show a brief message explaining what will happen after you stop sharing. This typically includes information about losing shared access and how saved photos will remain in each account.
Read this message carefully so you fully understand the consequences before proceeding.
Step 5: Confirm Your Decision
After selecting Remove Partner or Stop Sharing, you will be asked to confirm your action.
This is an important step because the process is not reversible in a single click. Once you disable Partner Sharing, you will need to manually set it up again if you decide to re-enable it later.
Tap or click Confirm to finalize the process.
Once confirmed, the Partner Sharing connection will be immediately disabled. You will no longer share new photos with your partner, and you will also stop receiving their shared photos.
Step 6: Verify That Partner Sharing Is Disabled
After completing the process, it is a good idea to double-check that Partner Sharing has been successfully turned off.
Go back to the Settings menu and open the Partner Sharing section again.
If the feature is disabled, you should no longer see your partner’s account listed. Instead, you may see an option to set up Partner Sharing again.
This confirms that the connection has been completely removed.
Verifying this step ensures that your photos are no longer being shared automatically and that your privacy settings are updated correctly.
FAQs
What happens to previously shared photos after disabling Partner Sharing?
Previously shared photos will remain accessible to your partner only if they have already saved them to their own library. Disabling Partner Sharing does not remove those photos from their account.
Can I re-enable Partner Sharing later?
Yes, you can re-enable Partner Sharing at any time. You will need to send a new invitation to your partner and set your sharing preferences again.
Will my partner be notified when I disable sharing?
Google Photos does not always send a direct notification, but your partner may notice that new photos are no longer being shared with them.
Does disabling Partner Sharing delete any photos?
No, disabling the feature does not delete any photos from your library. It only stops automatic sharing between accounts.
Can I disable sharing for specific photos only?
Partner Sharing works based on rules such as all photos or selected people. If you want more control, you may need to adjust sharing settings instead of disabling it completely.
Is Partner Sharing secure?
Yes, Partner Sharing is designed to be secure and only works between trusted Google accounts. However, disabling it can provide additional privacy if needed.