OneDrive File Issues

How to Stop Samsung Photos from Automatically Uploading to OneDrive

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to stop photos on their Samsung phone from automatically uploading to OneDrive and needs to manage the photos that have already been synchronized online.

Product: Microsoft OneDrive / Samsung Gallery
Device & OS: Samsung (Android)
Scenario: Managing automatic photo backups and troubleshooting unwanted cloud storage synchronization.
Observed behavior: Photos continue to upload to OneDrive automatically even after the user has seemingly disabled the synchronization settings.

Before you start

Ensure you have your Samsung device on hand and are logged into both your Samsung account and Microsoft OneDrive account before adjusting the synchronization settings.

Solution 1Recommended

Disable Samsung Gallery Sync and Camera Upload

Use this solution to thoroughly sever the connection between your Samsung phone's photo gallery and Microsoft OneDrive to stop future automatic uploads.

Often, simply turning off Camera Upload in the OneDrive app is not enough because the Samsung Gallery has a built-in integration with OneDrive. You must ensure both points of synchronization are disabled, as well as checking the Media Picker service in your account settings.

Disable Camera Upload in OneDrive

Open the OneDrive app on your Samsung phone, tap the 'Me' icon at the bottom, select Settings, tap 'Camera Upload', and toggle the switch to the off position.

Disconnect Samsung Gallery Sync

Open the Samsung Gallery app, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines), select Settings, and toggle off the 'Sync with OneDrive' option.

Check Account Sync Settings

Navigate to your phone's Settings app, tap 'Accounts and backup', then 'Manage accounts'. Select your Samsung account and ensure that synchronization for Gallery or Media Picker is completely disabled.

Server-Side Delay: If you just disabled synchronization, it might take a few moments for the server to recognize the change. If uploads persist for days, it may indicate a server-side synchronization bug.

Solution 2

Delete Unwanted Photos from OneDrive

Use this method to manage your cloud storage and remove photos that were uploaded unexpectedly after you have successfully disabled the auto-sync feature.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my photos still uploading to OneDrive after turning off Camera Upload?

On Samsung devices, the native Gallery app has a built-in integration with Microsoft OneDrive. Disabling 'Camera Upload' in the OneDrive app does not stop the Samsung Gallery sync. You must turn off 'Sync with OneDrive' directly within the Samsung Gallery settings.

Will deleting photos from OneDrive also delete them from my Samsung phone?

If you have completely disabled the synchronization between Samsung Gallery and OneDrive, deleting photos from the cloud will not affect the local copies on your phone. However, if the sync feature is still active, deleting a photo from OneDrive will also remove it from your device.

What should I do if unexpected uploads continue after disabling all sync settings?

If your photos are still uploading despite turning off all local sync options, it could be a server-side synchronization problem. Try unlinking your Microsoft account from your Samsung phone, restarting the device, and contacting Microsoft OneDrive support if the issue persists.

Document & File Issues