Samsung is ending support for the OneDrive cloud sync feature in the Samsung Gallery app on Galaxy phones starting September 30, 2026. A support document from Microsoft.
After that date, Samsung Gallery will no longer sync photos to OneDrive, and OneDrive will stop being the default cloud service for photo backup on Galaxy devices.
The change marks the end of part of a partnership between Microsoft and Samsung that began in 2019. The collaboration included making OneDrive a built-in cloud option for Samsung phones and integrating deeper phone link features. Samsung is now switching to its own cloud service for backing up photos.
What will happen on September 30 and what Samsung users have to do
After September 30, 2026, Samsung Gallery will no longer sync photos to OneDrive and photos that were previously synced to OneDrive will disappear from the Samsung Gallery app.
However, existing photo backups will still be stored in OneDrive and can be accessed through the app or website. Photos taken with the Samsung camera will no longer be automatically backed up to OneDrive via Gallery.
Microsoft has clarified that the photos are not being deleted. They remain in users’ OneDrive accounts and remain accessible. The change only affects the in-app integration that allows viewing and managing these photos from within Samsung Gallery. Users who want to continue backing up photos to OneDrive will need to update their settings before September 30, 2026.
The steps are straightforward:
- Install the OneDrive app from the Google Play Store if it’s not already installed
- Sign in with the same Microsoft account used for Samsung Gallery sync
- Then open OneDrive settings and enable Camera Upload or Camera Backup.
- Users can also configure backup preferences, including choosing which folders to include and whether to use mobile data.
Once camera uploads are enabled in the app, photos and videos will automatically be backed up to OneDrive as soon as they’re taken. The process is the same as how backup works on any Android device without Samsung integration.
Those who prefer to use Samsung Gallery as their main photos app will need to switch to Samsung Cloud for backups. Samsung’s cloud service will become the default option going forward.
Which photos to check before September 30?
Anyone relying on Samsung Gallery’s OneDrive integration should check two things before September 30th. First, verify that all previously backed up photos are now available directly in OneDrive.
Open the OneDrive app or website and make sure the expected files are in the Pictures folder.
Second, make sure camera uploads are enabled in the OneDrive app so that new photos are automatically backed up through that service before the Gallery integration is turned off.
After September 30, any photos taken without active OneDrive Camera Upload setup or Samsung Cloud Backup Will no longer automatically save to any cloud service.
Why is Samsung removing OneDrive sync from Galaxy Gallery?
Samsung is now hosting its own cloud services instead of relying on OneDrive for photo backup. The move is part of Samsung’s broader effort to unify its ecosystem services under its own brand, such as Samsung Internet, Messages and Pay to act as a Samsung-controlled alternative to Google’s offerings on Galaxy devices.
The partnership with Microsoft remains in place for other services, including promotional features related to Microsoft 365 on Samsung devices and continued access to OneDrive through the standard Android app. Phone Link integration with Windows also continues to work.
Microsoft has not announced any changes to OneDrive on Android devices or its standalone functionality on Samsung devices other than the removal of Gallery sync.
