OneDrive File Issues

Will Samsung Gallery Sync Delete Photos from OneDrive?

Maira Mehtab Sep 27, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to know if enabling Samsung Gallery synchronization on a reset phone will delete their existing photos currently backed up in OneDrive.

Product: Samsung Gallery and Microsoft OneDrive
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Setting up a Samsung phone after a reset and deciding whether to re-enable Gallery synchronization.
Observed behavior: Photos remain safe in OneDrive but are missing from the local Gallery; the user needs clarity on the two-way sync behavior before linking the accounts.

Before you start

Before turning on synchronization, it is highly recommended to review Microsoft's official Samsung Gallery and OneDrive documentation, and manually download any irreplaceable photos to a physical drive to prevent accidental cloud deletion.

Solution 1Recommended

Bypass Automatic Sync by Uploading Files Manually

To completely prevent any accidental deletion of your existing OneDrive photos by Samsung Gallery sync, upload your files manually via the OneDrive app instead of linking the accounts.

Samsung Gallery and OneDrive feature two-way synchronization. This means changes made on one platform are reflected on the other. If the gallery is empty after a device reset and it syncs with OneDrive, there is a risk of unexpected file modifications depending on your exact configuration.

Open the OneDrive app

Launch the Microsoft OneDrive application on your Samsung device and sign in to your Microsoft account.

Upload photos individually

Tap the '+' (Add) button located in the app, select 'Upload', and manually choose the specific photos or folders you want to back up to the cloud without enabling the system-wide gallery sync.

Keep Backups Safe: Manual uploading ensures that your local gallery actions (like deleting a photo to free up space) will not automatically trigger a deletion in your OneDrive cloud storage.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What happens exactly when I link Samsung Gallery to OneDrive?

When you connect the two services, they perform a two-way sync. Photos deleted from your Samsung Gallery will also be moved to the OneDrive recycle bin, and any photos deleted from OneDrive will be removed from your phone's Gallery.

How can I disconnect Samsung Gallery from OneDrive?

You can unlink them by logging into your Microsoft Account settings via a web browser, navigating to 'Privacy', clicking on 'Apps and services', and revoking access for Samsung Cloud.

Are my photos permanently deleted if the gallery sync removes them from OneDrive?

Typically, no. If the synchronization accidentally removes a photo from OneDrive, you can usually recover it by logging into OneDrive on the web, opening the Recycle Bin, and restoring the file within 30 days.

Document & File Issues