Samsung Galaxy users are facing a significant change as the long-standing integration between the Samsung Gallery app and Microsoft OneDrive comes to an end. This integration, which has been a built-in feature on Galaxy devices for several years, will no longer be available starting September 30th. The news has sparked concern among users who have relied on this seamless backup option for their photos and videos.
The shutdown of this integration means that users will no longer be able to sync photos and videos directly between the Samsung Gallery app and OneDrive. From October 1st, any photos previously uploaded to OneDrive will no longer appear inside the Gallery app, although they will still be accessible through the OneDrive app, website, or connected Windows PCs. This change has already been noticed by some users, as Galaxy devices that have never enabled Gallery syncing are reportedly no longer showing the option, suggesting a phased-out approach.
For those who want to continue backing up their photos to Microsoft's cloud platform, the solution involves downloading the standalone OneDrive app from the Google Play Store. After signing into a Microsoft account, users can grant the app permission to access their photos and videos, ensuring that new media will continue to be uploaded to OneDrive. However, this process will not offer the same two-way integration as before, and cloud images will not appear directly within the Samsung Gallery app.
The impact of this change extends beyond individual users, affecting features that rely on Gallery syncing, such as access to OneDrive-backed photos through compatible Samsung TVs and smart appliances. As a result, Galaxy owners are being encouraged to explore alternative services like Google Photos, Dropbox, or Amazon Photos. Privacy-conscious users may also consider encrypted or self-hosted platforms such as Proton Drive and Immich.
This development marks the end of a close partnership between Samsung and Microsoft, as they unwind one of the most integrated ecosystems between Galaxy smartphones and Microsoft's Windows and cloud services. The change highlights the evolving nature of technology partnerships and the need for users to adapt to new methods of data synchronization and backup.
