This article was published on July 20, 2015

Google Plus Photos shutting down August 1 to make way for Google Photos


Google Plus Photos shutting down August 1 to make way for Google Photos

If you’ve been using Google Photos in lieu of Google Plus Photos, you’re probably not alone. Today, Google announced it will begin shutting down Google Plus Photos on August 1.

The shutdown will hit Android first, then iOS and the Web “soon thereafter.” Google also notes users have been seeing prompts in Plus to switch to the new Google Photos service, so many have likely migrated or are using both.

This isn’t much of a surprise, though. At a small event after Google I/O this year, Google’s Vice President of Products Bradley Horowitz said its social arm was going through a “renaissance in thinking of what Plus is and for.” For Horowitz, Plus should be about connecting people with similar interests together, not a catch-all social service.

Google says those still using Google Plus Photos should download the Google Photos app soon “for uninterrupted access to all your photos, videos and albums.” If you fail to switch ahead of August 1, Google says you can find your photos and videos at its photos portal, and they’ll be available for export using Google Takeout.

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Goodbye Google+ Photos, hello Google Photos! [Google]

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