The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →To stop new iPhone photos from uploading, turn off Backup in Google Photos. To remove photos already stored in your Google Account while keeping the iPhone copies, delete them separately at photos.google.com or use Google Photos’ Undo backup for this device option. Turning Backup off alone does not erase existing cloud copies.
Choose what “unlink” means for you
There are two separate tasks: stopping future uploads and removing copies already backed up to Google Photos. You can do either one or both. If you want to keep photos on your iPhone or in iCloud, use the cloud-removal steps below rather than deleting those photos in the Google Photos app.
- Stop future uploads: Turn off Backup. Existing Google Photos copies remain.
- Remove selected cloud copies: Turn off Backup on devices where you want local copies to stay, then delete the selected items in a browser.
- Remove all backed-up photos currently found on this iPhone: Use Undo backup for this device. This also turns Backup off on the iPhone.
Turn off Google Photos backup on your iPhone
- Open Google Photos.
- Tap your profile picture or initial at the top right.
- Tap Google Photos settings, then Backup.
- Turn Backup off.
- Confirm the status reads Backup is off.
Google says upload completion depends on the connection and the amount of content being uploaded. If a backup is in progress, check its status rather than assuming it has stopped. Also check that Google Photos is using the Google Account you intend: tap the profile picture or initial and verify the account shown. See Google’s iPhone and iPad backup instructions and guidance for checking backup status and account.
Remove selected Google Photos copies and keep them on your iPhone
- Turn off Backup on every device where you want the local photo or video to remain.
- In a computer or mobile browser, open photos.google.com and sign in to the Google Account that holds the copies.
- Select and delete the backed-up photos or videos you want removed.
- Keep the iPhone connected to Wi-Fi for a few minutes, then close and reopen Google Photos.
- Leave Backup off on devices where the local copies should remain.
After deletion, an item may still appear in the iPhone app because it is a local copy. Check the item’s Details for its backup status rather than treating its presence in the app as proof that it remains in your Google Account. Google’s deletion instructions for iPhone and iPad explain the distinction and the browser workflow.
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- 6.1" Super Retina XDR OLED, HDR10, 800 nits (HBM), 1200 nits (peak), 2532x1170px at 460ppi, 4005mAh Battery
- 8GB RAM, Apple A18 6-core CPU (2 performance + 4 efficiency cores), Apple GPU 4-core, 16‑core Neural Engine
- Rear camera: 48MP, f/1.6, wide, Front Camera: 12MP, f/1.9, wide, iOS 18.3.1, upgradable to iOS 18.5
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- Unlocked for freedom to choose your carrier. Compatible with both GSM & CDMA networks. The phone is unlocked to work with all GSM Carriers & CDMA Carriers Including AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, Straight Talk., Etc.
Remove all backed-up photos currently found on this iPhone
Google Photos provides an in-app option for removing the Google Photos backup of photos currently found on this device while retaining the device copies:
- Open Google Photos and tap your profile picture or initial.
- Tap Google Photos settings, then Backup.
- Scroll down and tap Undo backup for this device.
- Review the prompt, then choose Delete Google Photos backup.
Google says this removes the photos currently found on the iPhone from Google Photos and automatically turns Backup off on that device. It also removes those items from albums, shared albums, search results, and Memories; Locked Folder items are included. Review the confirmation carefully before proceeding. The option and its effects are described in Google’s iPhone and iPad deletion guidance.
Rank #2
- This pre-owned product is not Apple certified, but has been professionally inspected, tested and cleaned by Amazon-qualified suppliers.
- There will be no visible cosmetic imperfections when held at an arm’s length. There will be no visible cosmetic imperfections when held at an arm’s length.
- This product will have a battery which exceeds 90% capacity relative to new.
- Accessories will not be original, but will be compatible and fully functional. Product may come in generic Box.
- This product is eligible for a replacement or refund within 365 days of receipt if you are not satisfied.
Which cloud-removal method should you use?
| Method | Scope | Where to do it | Additional effects |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delete selected items | Only the photos or videos you select | Browser at photos.google.com | Selection is manual; leave Backup off on devices with local copies you want to keep. |
| Undo backup for this device | All photos currently found on the iPhone | Google Photos app > profile picture or initial > Google Photos settings > Backup | Also removes the items from albums, shared albums, search results, and Memories, and turns Backup off on this iPhone. |
Avoid deleting the iPhone copy by mistake
Do not use the Google Photos app’s ordinary Delete action when your goal is to remove only the cloud copy. Google warns: “Important: Deleting photos and videos from the Google Photos app deletes the same items from your device.” Depending on backup settings on other devices, deletion can affect copies there as well. Use the browser deletion workflow or Undo backup for this device when you want to preserve iPhone copies.
Keep Backup off on every relevant device. If another device using the same Google Account still has Backup on, it may upload the photos again. Google also warns that turning Backup back on can cause a deleted photo to be backed up again or a device copy to be deleted. Its deletion guidance covers these effects.
Rank #3
- This pre-owned product is not Apple certified, but has been professionally inspected, tested and cleaned by Amazon-qualified suppliers.
- There will be no visible cosmetic imperfections when held at an arm’s length. There will be no visible cosmetic imperfections when held at an arm’s length.
- This product will have a battery which exceeds 90% capacity relative to new.
- Accessories will not be original, but will be compatible and fully functional. Product may come in generic Box.
- This product is eligible for a replacement or refund within 365 days of receipt if you are not satisfied.
What happens after deletion?
Google says deleted items stay in Trash for 30 days before permanent deletion. Items permanently deleted from Google Photos cannot be restored. Apple Photos may have its own Recently Deleted album, so check there separately if you also delete an item from the iPhone.
Google Photos storage is shared across Google Photos, Gmail, and Drive. Removing backed-up photos may therefore help free Google Account storage, but you do not need to buy storage or use a physical product to turn off backup. See Google’s Google Photos storage guidance.
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Rank #4
- This pre-owned product is not Apple certified, but has been professionally inspected, tested and cleaned by Amazon-qualified suppliers.
- There will be no visible cosmetic imperfections when held at an arm’s length. There will be no visible cosmetic imperfections when held at an arm’s length.
- This product will have a battery which exceeds 90% capacity relative to new.
- Accessories will not be original, but will be compatible and fully functional. Product may come in generic Box.
- This product is eligible for a replacement or refund within 365 days of receipt if you are not satisfied.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
