Remove or Delete Google Photos from Google Drive

If you’ve been using Google Photos and Google Drive for a while, you might have noticed how tightly they used to be connected. In earlier setups, photos uploaded to Google Photos could also appear inside Google Drive, which created confusion, storage duplication concerns, and general clutter.

Today, Google Photos and Google Drive are separate services, meaning deleting a photo from one does not automatically delete it from the other. However, if you still see a “Google Photos” folder in Drive, it’s likely from older sync settings or manual uploads.

In this guide, I will tell you the steps to remove or delete Google Photos from your Google Drive.

How to Remove or Delete Google Photos from Google Drive

To remove or delete Google Photos from Google Drive, open Google Drive, locate the “Google Photos” folder if it exists, and delete it. Then go to Google Photos settings and ensure that syncing or linking to Drive is disabled. Finally, clear the trash in Google Drive to permanently remove the files and free up storage space.

Let’s explore the steps in detail!

Step 1: Open Google Drive and Locate the Google Photos Folder

Start by opening your Google Drive in a browser. You can access it by going to the official Drive dashboard and signing in with your Google account.

Once inside, look at the left-hand panel and click on “My Drive.” This is where all your stored files and folders live. Scroll through your folders carefully and check if there is a folder named “Google Photos.”

If you find this folder, it means your photos were either previously synced or manually stored here. Open the folder and quickly review its contents. This step is important because you want to confirm whether these are duplicate files or the only copies you have.

If the photos in this folder are already backed up in Google Photos, you can safely proceed. If not, consider downloading a backup before deleting anything.

Step 2: Delete the Google Photos Folder from Drive

After confirming the contents, go back to the main view in My Drive and right-click on the “Google Photos” folder.

Select the “Remove” option. This action sends the folder to the Trash, but it does not permanently delete it yet.

At this stage, the folder will no longer appear in your main Drive storage, which helps declutter your workspace. However, it is still technically stored in your account until you empty the Trash.

Keep in mind that removing this folder does not affect your actual Google Photos library. The images stored in Google Photos remain intact because they are managed separately.

Step 3: Empty the Trash to Permanently Delete Photos

Now navigate to the “Trash” section in Google Drive. You will find it in the left sidebar.

Inside the Trash, locate the “Google Photos” folder you just removed. Right-click on it again and select “Delete forever.”

This step is crucial because files in Trash still count toward your storage limit. Permanently deleting them ensures that your storage space is freed up.

Once deleted, the folder and its contents cannot be recovered, so make sure you are confident before completing this step.

Step 4: Verify Google Photos Settings to Prevent Re-Sync

Next, open Google Photos in a new tab and go to its settings panel.

Look for any options related to syncing, sharing, or integration with Google Drive. In most modern setups, there is no direct sync toggle anymore, but it’s still worth checking for any legacy settings or third-party connections.

If you previously used tools like Backup and Sync or Google Drive for Desktop, ensure those apps are not configured to upload photos into Drive automatically.

This step ensures that the folder you deleted does not reappear later.

Step 5: Check Google Drive for Third-Party App Connections

Sometimes, third-party apps or older Google tools can create folders automatically in Drive.

Go to Google Drive settings, then navigate to the “Manage Apps” section. Review any connected apps that have access to your Drive.

If you find apps that manage photos or backups, review their permissions and disconnect them if they are no longer needed.

This helps maintain a clean and controlled environment inside your Drive.

Step 6: Understand Storage Behavior After Deletion

Once you have removed the Google Photos folder from Drive, your storage usage might change.

Google Photos and Google Drive share the same storage quota under your Google account. However, deleting files from Drive does not remove them from Google Photos unless they were manually uploaded duplicates.

This means you can safely clean up Drive without worrying about losing your main photo library.

It’s a good idea to visit your storage dashboard and confirm how much space has been freed up after the cleanup.

Step 7: Optional Backup Before Cleanup

If you are someone who prefers extra caution, consider downloading your photos before deleting them from Drive.

You can select the entire Google Photos folder in Drive and download it as a ZIP file. This gives you a local backup on your computer.

While this step is optional, it adds an extra layer of safety, especially if you are unsure about duplication between services.

FAQs

Does deleting Google Photos from Google Drive delete them from Google Photos?

No, deleting photos from Google Drive does not remove them from Google Photos. These are separate services, and each manages its own storage unless files were manually duplicated.

Why do I still see a Google Photos folder in Drive?

This usually happens due to older sync settings or manual uploads. Google no longer automatically syncs Google Photos with Drive, but legacy folders may still exist.

Can the Google Photos folder come back after deletion?

Yes, it can reappear if a connected app or backup tool is still configured to upload photos to Drive. Checking app connections and sync settings prevents this.

Is it safe to delete the Google Photos folder in Drive?

Yes, as long as your photos are already stored in Google Photos or backed up elsewhere. Always double-check before deleting permanently.

How do I stop photos from uploading to Google Drive?

Make sure no backup tools or third-party apps are set to upload photos to Drive. Also, verify that Google Photos settings do not include any legacy sync behavior.