Photos and Google Photos on my iphone?
Q
On my iphone I have an app called Photos and another called Google Photos. I think both were pre-loaded. I wonder if you could tell me the difference? I don’t know what images Google Photos stores. I’d like to know if I need Google Photos and, if not, how to delete it and everything it contains? Gerry Jones
A
New iphones include only apps that Apple allows. The particular line-up of apps occasionally changes, as Apple invents new ones or drops old ones. Once upon a time Apple did include Youtube – an app by Google – on new iphones, but that cooperative spirit ended nearly a decade ago.
We say all this to explain why there is no possible way that Google Photos came pre-installed on your iphone. It simply never has. So, either you installed it yourself and have forgotten, or someone did so without your knowledge. If you purchased the phone from somewhere other than Apple and had help setting it up, then we suppose a shop assistant might have installed it with the good intention of being helpful.
All that aside, Google Photos will by default back up whatever photos you shoot with your iphone, storing them to the account associated with the Google Photos app, on Google’s servers. Hopefully, that’s your own Google account. To check, launch the app and then tap the avatar icon at the top right. If it’s not your account, then whatever name you do find here should offer a clue as to why the app is on your iphone and will inform what you do next.
You might now decide to keep the app, though there's little benefit because they both offer similar photomanagement tools. Deleting it is as straightforward and safe as with any other non-apple iphone app – meaning it’s very easy and safe. First, just tap and hold the app’s icon and wait for a couple of seconds. Then tap Delete App (see screenshot 1 ) and then confirm by tapping Remove App 2 . Note, though, deleting the Google Photos app will not remove the photos the app has already backed up to the associated Google account. To manage those, you’ll need to visit https://photos.google.com.
Want to know the difference between technical terms? Email noproblem@ computeractive.co.uk