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How to Delete OneDrive Photos Without Removing Samsung Gallery Copies
Question details
The user needs to delete photos from OneDrive to free up cloud storage without losing the original copies stored in Samsung Gallery or backed up in Google Photos.
- Product
- OneDrive
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Attempting to reclaim cloud storage space by deleting OneDrive photos while keeping local and alternative cloud backups intact.
- Observed behavior
- Because the services are linked, deleting photos directly from OneDrive may automatically delete the corresponding images from the synced Samsung Gallery.
Verify that your photos are fully backed up to a secondary location, such as Google Photos, or safely stored in your device's local memory before unlinking your accounts.
Disconnect Services and Delete OneDrive Photos
Unlink your Microsoft and Samsung accounts to halt the synchronization process, ensuring that deleting files from OneDrive will not impact your Samsung Gallery.
By default, linking your Samsung Gallery to OneDrive creates a two-way sync. To safely delete photos on the cloud without affecting your phone's gallery, you must completely revoke permissions and unlink the accounts first.
Open a web browser and navigate to your Microsoft Account's additional security options at https://account.live.com/consent/Manage.
Locate 'Samsung Cloud' in the list of apps and services, and click on 'Remove these permissions' to revoke its access to your Microsoft account.
On your mobile device, open 'Settings', tap on 'Accounts and backup', and select 'Manage accounts'.
Tap your Samsung account, go to 'Linked accounts' under 'Apps and services', and choose to unlink your Microsoft account.
Once the services are disconnected, you can safely delete the photos from OneDrive. Remember to empty the OneDrive Recycle Bin to successfully reclaim your storage space.
Switch to WPS Office for Seamless File Management
If you are experiencing ongoing storage or syncing frustrations within the Microsoft ecosystem, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible, and user-friendly experience for all your document management needs without the complicated sync setups.
- 1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the free download button for your operating system.
- 2. Install WPS Office: Run the downloaded installation file and follow the quick setup wizard to install the software.
- 3. Open Your Documents: Launch WPS Office and instantly open any existing Microsoft Office files with perfect formatting preservation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will deleting photos from OneDrive remove them from Google Photos?
No, if your photos are independently backed up to Google Photos, deleting the copies stored in OneDrive will not remove them from your Google Photos library.
Why did my photos disappear from my phone when I deleted them from OneDrive?
This happens when your Samsung Gallery is actively linked and synced with OneDrive. A deletion on the cloud mirrors down to your device. You must unlink the accounts first to prevent this two-way synchronization.
Does moving OneDrive photos to the Recycle Bin free up storage immediately?
No, items in the OneDrive Recycle Bin continue to count against your total storage quota. You must manually empty the Recycle Bin to permanently reclaim that space.
