Google Photos May Add Backup Schedule and New UI Refresh

• Google Photos is rolling out an Expressive UI redesign for Backup settings.
• APK teardown (v7.58.0.853810532) reveals a new "Backup schedule" option under Backup tools.
• The feature could let you pick specific times or frequencies (daily, weekly, monthly) for uploads.
• This is an early signal; APK teardowns can preview features that may not ship.

What Google is changing in Photos' backup page

Google is applying Material 3 Expressive styling to the Photos app’s Backup settings. The teardown shows options such as Backup Mode, Backup quality, and Back up device folder placed into distinct containers with new headings.

Cleaner layout, clearer controls

The redesigned Backup page groups controls under headings like “How to back up,” “What to back up,” and “Backup tools.” Screenshots from the APK show a visual refresh that separates toggles and options into card-like containers for easier scanning on mobile.

Backup schedule: what the new option might do

Under the Backup tools section the teardown reveals a new label, Backup schedule. The app doesn’t contain full implementation details, but the name implies the ability to set times or frequencies for uploads.

Likely behaviors and comparisons

Possible implementations include scheduling uploads at a specific time of day or selecting a cadence such as daily, weekly, or monthly. It might also mirror Android’s BackupSchedule APIs for automated timing, though that connection is speculative.

Why users have asked for this

For years users have requested a way to delay or schedule backups to avoid daytime data use, preserve battery, or control when large uploads run. Support threads and Reddit posts dating back years show consistent demand for timing controls.

Practical benefits

Scheduling backups could reduce mobile data usage, let heavy uploads run overnight, and give users more predictable battery behavior. It would also be useful for photographers who prefer batch uploads at set intervals.

When you might see it — and the caveats

APKs can reveal work-in-progress code but can’t guarantee release. Google may test Backup schedule in limited channels or scrap it entirely.

How to watch for the feature

To check for the update, keep Google Photos updated from the Play Store and consider joining the app’s beta channel. Monitor the Backup settings page (Settings > Back up & sync) for new headings or a Backup schedule entry.

If released, this change pairs a usability refresh with a long-requested control many users have been asking for—giving you more control over when your memories hit the cloud.