If you rely on your Samsung phone to automatically backup your photos and videos to Microsoft OneDrive, major changes are coming to your cloud storage setup.
Samsung has officially announced that Samsung Gallery will soon discontinue its integration with Microsoft OneDrive.
This shift marks the end of a multi-year partnership between Samsung and Microsoft, forcing millions of Galaxy smartphone and tablet users to rethink how they back up their media. Here is everything you need to know about the shutdown timeline and what you should do to safeguard your files.
What Is Changing?
For years, Samsung users could seamlessly link their Samsung Gallery app directly to Microsoft OneDrive. This allowed photos and videos shot on Galaxy devices to auto-sync directly to OneDrive folders without needing third-party workarounds.
With the upcoming deprecation:
Auto-Sync Discontinuation: Samsung Gallery will no longer automatically upload new photos and videos to OneDrive.
Feature Removal: OneDrive cloud integration options will be removed from the Samsung Gallery settings menu.
Existing Data Safety: Photos and videos already backed up to your OneDrive account will not be deleted automatically from Microsoft’s servers, but new media will cease syncing.
Samsung Gallery Sync Sunset Overview:
├── What Ends: Automatic background photo/video sync between Gallery and OneDrive.
├── What Stays Safe: Previously synced media remains intact in your OneDrive account.
└── Next Steps: Switch to standalone cloud apps or download a local backup.
Why Is This Happening?
While neither company has detailed the exact commercial reasons behind the split, the decision aligns with broader shifts in the cloud ecosystem:
Strategic Refocusing: Samsung is shifting focus toward its own integrated ecosystem features and deeper cross-platform options.
Third-Party App Independence: Microsoft continues to promote its standalone OneDrive app on Android, which handles camera uploads independently of device-native gallery apps.
Action Plan: What Samsung Users Should Do Now
To ensure you don’t lose media or experience interruptions in your cloud backups, follow these recommended steps:
Option 1: Use the Standalone Microsoft OneDrive App
If you want to keep using your OneDrive storage plan, you can still back up your photos automatically:
Download or open the official Microsoft OneDrive app from the Google Play Store or Galaxy Store.
Go to Settings > Camera Upload.
Turn Camera Upload ON to let OneDrive back up your camera roll independently of the Samsung Gallery app.
Option 2: Switch to Google Photos
Since Android natively integrates with Google services, Google Photos is the most seamless alternative for Galaxy users:
Open the Google Photos app on your Samsung device.
Tap your profile icon in the top right corner and select Turn on backup.
Choose your desired upload quality (Storage Saver or Original Quality).
Option 3: Download a Local Backup
If you want to move away from cloud storage altogether:
Connect your Samsung device to a PC or Mac via USB and transfer your
DCIMfolder.Use Samsung Smart Switch to back up your media to an external drive or SD card.
Summary Timeline Checklist
Check Your Current Storage: Verify how much media is currently stored on OneDrive versus your local storage.
Enable an Alternative Backup: Activate backup settings on Google Photos or the standalone OneDrive app before the sync integration shuts down completely.
Keep Apps Updated: Ensure both Samsung Gallery and OneDrive apps are updated to receive the latest migration prompts and tools.
Your photos don’t have to go home, but they can’t stay here.
