Samsung Gallery can now back up your photos and videos to your Google account, right from the Gallery app. You no longer need the separate Google Photos app for that. Samsung made it official on November 10, 2026, after the old Microsoft OneDrive sync was switched off in September.
Which phones get it
The feature needs One UI 9 (Android 17). It started on select Galaxy phones and tablets and is expanding to more models in phases, depending on your region. If you are still on One UI 8, you will have to wait for the update.
How to turn on Gallery sync
- Make sure you are signed in to both your Samsung account and your Google account on the phone.
- Open Gallery and tap the cloud icon, or go to Menu > Settings.
- Turn on Sync photos and videos and follow the steps on screen.
- Keep the phone on Wi-Fi and charging for the first backup: it can take a while with a big library.
Free up space: delete local copies safely
Once your media is backed up, a Free up space option appears in the sync settings. It removes the original files from the phone and keeps small thumbnails in Gallery. When you open a photo, the full file downloads again. Handy on a 128 GB phone, but you need an internet connection to see full-size photos afterwards.
Three things to know before you start
- Storage is shared. Gallery sync uses your Google account storage, the same space as Gmail and Google Drive. A large video library can fill it fast, so check how much room you have first.
- Old Google Photos backups do not show up. Gallery only shows what was synced through Gallery itself, not your whole Google Photos library.
- Works across Galaxy devices. Sign in to the same accounts on your tablet or second phone, turn on sync there too, and your photos appear on both.
Quick answers
I do not see the cloud icon. Why?
Your phone is probably not on One UI 9 yet, or the feature has not reached your model or region. Check Settings > Software update.
Do I still need the Google Photos app?
Not for backup. You still need it to browse your full Google Photos library, including photos backed up before Gallery sync.