Google has disconnected Photos and Drive. Here's how to keep your photos synchronized

Google has now officially decoupled Google Photos of Google Driveand the two Google storage services do not automatically sync their photos. This means that the photos you have uploaded to a service and the changes you make to them are no longer displayed reliably in the other place.

Google claims that the change occurred because some people found the relationship confusing. But if you like to sync your photos, we've found a workaround that can help keep Google Drive and Google Photos away. And to help you, Google has a tool to help you synchronize both apps.

The Google backup and sync application

Google Backup and synchronization application for Windows or Mac will save photos from your computer, camera or SD card to Google Drive and Photos, and the app will download a copy of both Google services. Here's how you set it up.

1. If you have not already done so, download Backup and Sync on your PC or Mac.

2 Follow the instructions to install and log in.

3 If asked, give the application permission to access your photos.

4 The application will install a folder on your computer called Google Drive, and you can drag photos and documents to the folder to synchronize its content with Google Drive on Google's servers.

5 To synchronize other folders on your computer with Drive, open the Backup and Sync preferences and select the folders you want to synchronize, such as Documents or Pictures.

How to copy photos from Google Drive to Google Photos

Another option is to move photos and videos from the Get Photos button with the help of the new Google Photos download tool. However, the tool does not synchronize these duplicate files. As a result, changes you make to one location will not affect the copy held in the other.

NOTE: If you save your photos using the Full Resolution Original setting, the duplicate files will be counted twice in the storage ceiling of your player, instead of once, as they do now. And you will have to use Google Photos on your Mac or PC.

1. In Google Photos, tap Download in the upper right corner.

2 To copy photos from Drive, tap Google Drive on the menu.

3 Select the image or images you want to copy from Drive, then tap Download at the bottom right of the window.

You will see a message stating that your selection is uploaded to Photos.

How to sync your photos with Google Drive using Google Photos

You can also verify that your Google Photos app syncs with your Google Photos library on Google's servers.

1. In the Google Photos app, tap the hamburger menu, then tap Settings.

2 Tap Save and sync, and make sure you have it turned on and backed up to the correct account.

3 When you are here, in Device Folders, you can set up synchronization of other folders on your phone with your Google Photos library.

Posted on June 14th.

Updates of June 18: Edited for clarity; September 1st: Edited for clarity.