Samsung Gallery Switches From OneDrive To Google Photos Integration in 2026

What the new integration means

Samsung has announced that the long‑standing Microsoft OneDrive link in its Gallery app will be retired at the end of September 2026. In its place the company is rolling out native support for Google Photos. The change arrives as part of the latest update to the Gallery Sync, Samsung Cloud and Samsung Gallery apps, and it is already being pushed to devices running Android 13 or later.

How to enable Google Photos sync

To start using the feature, open the Samsung Gallery app on a compatible device such as the Samsung Galaxy S25. Tap the menu button in the lower right corner, then select Settings. From there choose the option labelled Sync photos and videos. The wizard will ask you to pick a Google account, grant the necessary permissions and confirm the sync direction. Once the process finishes, new pictures and videos captured on the phone will be uploaded automatically to the linked Google Photos library.

Benefits for Galaxy users

The integration gives Galaxy owners a single, widely used cloud destination for their media. Google Photos offers powerful search, automatic album creation and AI‑driven enhancements that were not available in the Samsung‑OneDrive workflow. Users can also view their Samsung‑taken shots directly inside the Google Photos app on any platform, including tablets like the iPad Air M2 or wearables such as the Apple Watch Series 10.

Limitations to keep in mind

Despite the convenience, the sync does not populate every Gallery feature. Photos synced to Google will not appear in the Memories or Highlights sections of Samsung Gallery, nor will they be included in live albums or the built‑in search index. The service also excludes Google Workspace accounts, so business users will need a personal Gmail address to take advantage of the feature.

How Samsung compares with other Android makers

Brands such as Xiaomi and Oppo have offered third‑party cloud sync options for several years, allowing users to link their native photo apps with Google Photos or other services. Samsung’s move brings it in line with those competitors, but it arrives later than the initial rollouts. The timing may be driven by the upcoming shutdown of OneDrive support, which is scheduled for 30 September 2026.

End of OneDrive support

Microsoft OneDrive integration in Samsung Gallery will stop working after the September deadline. Existing users are encouraged to migrate their media before that date, either by downloading files to a computer or by switching to the new Google Photos sync. Samsung has posted a support article that outlines the steps for a smooth transition.

Final thoughts

For anyone who relies on their Samsung Galaxy S25 or other recent Galaxy devices for daily photography, the Google Photos sync offers a modern, cross‑platform backup solution. While the feature lacks full parity with Samsung’s own cloud services, it eliminates the need for a separate Microsoft account and leverages Google’s robust AI tools. Users should update their Gallery app now, enable the sync, and enjoy seamless photo storage across Android, iOS and web browsers.