Google has announced that starting on July 10, 2019, Google Photos will no longer sync to Google Drive. From that date forward, if you add or delete files in Photos, they will not be automatically added or deleted in your Drive.
Currently, U-M Google users can choose to sync Photos to Drive. This means that when you upload a file to Photos, it’s automatically uploaded to the Google Photos folder in Drive.
Once these changes begin to go into effect on July 10, this folder will stop receiving updates. Note: The Google Photos folder will not be going away; it will remain but will stop syncing with the Photos service. This means any photos which currently exist within your Google Photos folder will not be deleted and will stay in that folder.
Google heard feedback that the connection between Photos and Drive was confusing and they hope this simplified experience is easier to understand and navigate. Soon there will be a blue banner displayed across the top of your Drive announcing this change to Google Photos and Drive.
For more information, visit the Google Photos Help page.