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How to Sync Samsung Gallery With Google Photos

Samsung Gallery can sync selected folders to Google Photos, but availability varies and deletions can propagate across both apps. Here’s how to set it up and what to expect.
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You can sync selected photos and videos from Samsung Gallery to your Google Account through Gallery > Menu > Settings > Sync photos and videos. The feature is limited by device and rollout, and it does not turn Samsung Gallery into a view of your entire existing Google Photos library. Before enabling it, know that synced files use Google Account storage and deleting one in either app can delete it from both.

How to sync Samsung Gallery with Google Photos

  1. Check eligibility. Update your Samsung phone or tablet’s software and the Samsung Gallery app. Google says the feature requires a compatible Samsung device running Android 13 or later; Samsung India’s support guidance, updated October 1, 2026, specifies One UI 9.0 or later. Those descriptions do not guarantee availability on every device meeting one threshold.
  2. Open the setting. In Samsung Gallery, tap Menu > Settings > Sync photos and videos.
  3. Connect your account. Choose a personal Google Account and follow the authorization prompts. Google says supervised accounts and Google Workspace accounts aren’t supported for this integration.
  4. Choose what to sync. If prompted, tap Sync now, then select the albums you want to include. You can select folders such as Camera, Screenshots, or Downloads, and leave the main camera roll off while syncing other folders.
  5. Keep the device online. Sync requires a network connection. Samsung says pending changes sync automatically when the connection returns.

Google’s instructions are at Google Photos Help; Samsung’s current regional guidance is at Samsung India Support.

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Why can’t I see “Sync photos and videos” in Samsung Gallery?

The feature is rolling out and depends on device, software, account, and region. First install available system and Gallery updates, confirm you’re using a personal rather than supervised or Workspace Google Account, then check the Gallery settings again later. If the menu still does not appear, your model or account may not yet have access.

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9to5Google reported on September 18, 2026 that the rollout was associated with Samsung Gallery version 15.9.01.7 in cases it observed. Treat that as a reported rollout detail, not a universal minimum version: 9to5Google’s rollout report.

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What sync includes—and what it does not

The integration uploads selected Samsung device folders to your Google Account and makes Gallery-synced media accessible in Google Photos and across your Samsung devices. It is not a general two-way mirror of your Google Photos library. Samsung Gallery can access media originally backed up through Gallery Cloud Sync, but it does not display unrelated photos already in Google Photos.

You can also turn off syncing for all local albums while leaving Gallery Cloud Sync on. In that configuration, Samsung Gallery can show synced media from other devices without uploading new items from the current one.

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Gallery-synced items support basic viewing and sharing, but Google says they are not included in Photos Search, Memories and highlights, or Live albums unless you separately back them up through Google Photos. If you want those Google Photos features, use Google Photos backup as well and understand that this is a separate path.

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Samsung Gallery sync versus Google Photos backup

What you want to know Samsung Gallery Cloud Sync Google Photos backup
What starts the upload Samsung Gallery’s Sync photos and videos setting and the albums you select. Google Photos’ own backup setting.
Samsung Gallery folders Selected device folders can sync to your Google Account. Samsung’s guidance does not state that this path uses the Gallery album-selection controls.
Google Photos features Gallery-synced items are excluded from Search, Memories and highlights, and Live albums unless separately backed up through Google Photos. Using Google Photos backup is the separate route for including media in those features.
Storage Synced files use Google Account storage and are saved in original quality. Backed-up media is stored in your Google Photos account; the cited feature guidance does not specify a different storage treatment for this comparison.
Deletion and edits Deleting a synced item in either app can remove it from both apps and cloud storage. Samsung Gallery edits sync across Samsung devices; Google Photos may show an edit alongside the original. Google Photos backup is a separate path. Samsung says files already uploaded through Google Photos backup will not be duplicated when Gallery sync is enabled.

Samsung says photos already uploaded through Google Photos backup will not be duplicated when Gallery sync is enabled. Still, check which folders and backup settings you have turned on so you know what is being uploaded and which Google Photos features apply.

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Storage, deletion, and editing: the important limits

Synced files count toward Google Account storage

Google says Gallery-synced photos and videos are stored in your Google Photos account in original quality and use Google Account storage. The documented setup does not require a paid plan, but you need available account storage for uploads to continue.

Deleting can remove the cloud copy

Deleting a synced item in Samsung Gallery or Google Photos can remove it from both apps and cloud storage. Treat either app’s delete action as consequential rather than assuming it only removes a local copy.

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Edits may appear as separate versions

An edit made in Samsung Gallery syncs across Samsung devices, but Google Photos may show the edited file alongside the original. An edit made on the web or another device does not automatically overwrite the original local Samsung photo; Google provides a review process for changes that are out of sync.

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Private albums and Secure Folder behave differently

After confirmation, moving a synced photo to a Samsung private album permanently deletes its cloud copy and bypasses the bin. Moving a photo to Secure Folder moves the local file, but may leave its Google Photos cloud copy in place; delete that cloud copy separately if you intend to remove it.

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Free up space can remove local copies

Google Photos’ Free up space can remove files from the phone once they are safely backed up. They may disappear from ordinary local Gallery albums while remaining in Google Photos and, with Gallery Cloud Sync enabled, in synced folders.

SD cards are not direct sync sources

Samsung says SD cards are external storage and are not directly supported for Gallery Cloud Sync. Move files to internal storage first if you want to sync them through this feature.

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What happens when you turn sync off?

Turning off the Gallery sync toggle stops new backups and removes cloud-media access in Samsung apps. It does not by itself remove the Google Account link or stop data sharing with Samsung Gallery, and files already backed up remain in your Google Account. To remove the link, go to your Google Account’s linked apps and remove the Gallery Cloud Sync entry; see Google’s instructions.

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Can I show photos already in Google Photos in Samsung Gallery?

Not through this integration if those photos were uploaded by another route. Samsung Gallery’s access is limited to media originally backed up from a synced Samsung device through Gallery Cloud Sync; it does not import or browse your entire pre-existing Google Photos library.

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