How do I prevent Google Drive from accessing my iPhone photos?

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How do I prevent Google Drive from accessing my iPhone photos?

Hi. I am subscribed to Google Drive. It is used on my iMac with the Backup & Sync app, and on my iPhone XS Max with the Google Drive app.

I notice whenever I plug the iPhone into the iMac to charge or transfer files, Google Drive on the iMac notifies me that my iPhone is backed up.

I do NOT want this. I have tried, in the iPhone app settings of Google Drive, to remove backing up my Photos, Contacts, and Calendar Events. As soon as I click done, I connected my iPhone to the USB and it happens again! And I go back to the Google Drive app settings on the iPhone, and the Photos, Contacts, and Calendar Events are toggled "on" again!.

I then go to the Google Drive section of the iPhone settings app, and remove access to my Photos, and it still accesses my Photos next time I plug the iPhone into the USB. This is insane, Google actually bypasses what I have allowed in my iPhone settings. This is a serious security flaw. Can anyone help?

Thanks.

Posted on Jan 5, 2021 6:36 PM

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Cuttock Author

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Jan 5, 2021 7:00 PM in response to Cuttock

I have found out how to prevent Google Drive on the iMac to back up my iPhones photos, Contacts, etc.

In the Backup & Sync toolbar icon, on the Mac, click the hamburger icon, and go to preferences. On the left hand sidebar, you will see listed from top to bottom:

My iMac (or Macbook, Mac mini, Mac Pro, etc)

Google Drive

Settings

Stay on the My iMac area, on the bottom, you will see "USB Devices & SD Cards" Click on that "link."

If you see your iPhone, or iPad, or Camera, Android, Phone, etc, whatever, you can remove them from the list to back up.

That works. Now when I plug in my iPhone and iPad, they are not backed up by Google Drive via backup & Sync. Google, of course defaults to backing them up without asking you. SO if you (or I) get a new or rested iPhone, iPad, etc I bet Backup & Sync will default to backing them up without asking you. Typical.

This still does not answer how Backup & Sync overrides my preferences in not allowing Google Drive to access my iPhone's photos. Still would like help.

I hope people reading this will benefit from my discoveries!

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How do I prevent Google Drive from accessing my iPhone photos?

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