For the longest time Google+ Photos has been the place for users to store and keep backups of all their pictures and videos, also allowing seamless availability through the Google + app. Back during Google IO 2015 Google unveiled the rumored new Google Photos app, offering a more robust set of features along with improved functionality from Google’s previous offering. Google also stated that Google Photos would be taking over as the main home for all your photos and videos. Now, Google+ has announced today on their official Google+ page that they will be shutting down Google+ photos on August 1st, with Google Photos eventually being the replacement for picture storage.
Google’s initiative behind this is to continue ensuring that users have the best experience possible with their photos, and although it won’t be an immediate shut down across all platforms, it begins with Android devices starting August 1st and will move onto iOS and Windows versions of the Google+ photos experience not too long after. In light of this change between apps and services, Google is recommending that everyone start the process to download and install the new Google Photos app on whatever platform they’re using Google+ photos most, (or all platforms where they use it) and begin the process to swap stuff over. They also mention though that users shouldn’t feel worried about missing out on any functionality as the new Google Photos app will offer the same experiences but with a few upgrades like unlimited storage.
Those who don’t make the change before August 1st which is fast approaching, will not lose their pictures and videos, but the interface will stop working and users will have to go to http://photos.google.com to access all their stored content. In addition, users will be able to export everything using Google Takeout if they have the need, so although the interface will no longer work, things will not be lost. This poses a good enough reason though to get the jump start on this change and download the app, as usage will be uninterrupted. For those who use Google+ photos quite a bit, no interruption in uploads and access should feel like a pretty important detail.