Google Photos Now Supports Desktop Folder Backups, But with Two Key Limitations

Google Photos has introduced a new feature that allows users to back up folders directly from their PC to the cloud via its website, streamlining the process for those who want to store desktop images without using additional apps. While this update is convenient, it comes with two notable limitations, as revealed by Beebom.

How Google Photos’ Desktop Backup Works

Google Photos' website now includes an option to back up folders from your desktop, making the process simple. Instead of downloading the Google Drive app, you can now back up your PC folders directly from the Google Photos website by following a few straightforward steps:

1. Head to the Google Photos website and log in to your account.
2. Click on the Upload button located at the top right.
3. From the menu, select Back up folders.
4. Choose the folder you want to back up.
5. Pick the desired upload quality, then click on Continue.

Once these steps are completed, Google Photos will begin the backup process, allowing you to store your desktop files directly in your Google account without relying on external software.

Two Major Limitations of the Feature

Despite the ease of use, there are two significant drawbacks to this feature. The first, as noted by Beebom, is that backups only occur when the Google Photos website is open in Google Chrome. The process won’t continue running in the background if the tab is closed or if Chrome shuts it down to save memory, which means you can't rely on it for continuous or automated backups.

The second limitation is that the feature is restricted to Google Chrome only. Even other Chromium-based browsers like Brave and Microsoft Edge don’t support this functionality. For Safari users, especially those on Apple devices, this could be a major disappointment as the feature doesn’t work on Apple’s browser.

A Convenient but Limited Option

While it’s a step in the right direction for desktop users, the feature still has room for improvement—most notably, better cross-browser compatibility and automatic backups without needing to keep a Chrome tab open.