Delete photos and videos - Notes on the Google help article

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Help article dated July 25th 2024 The bold entries are my highlighting to point out areas which require clarification.
 
Delete photos and videos sub section Remove backed up photos and videos from Google Photos but not your device
On your Android device, in the Google Photos app, turn off backup.
Turn off Backup on all devices where you want the photo or video to stay.
On your computer or in your mobile browser, go to photos.google.com/login.
Delete your selected backed up photos and videos.
On your Android device, wait a few minutes and make sure you&rsquo;re connected to Wi-Fi.
Close and reopen the Google Photos app.
Deleted photos may still be in your Photos view. These photos are only local copies. To check the backup status of the photo, tap the photo  More . Scroll down to "Details."
To ensure that your photo or video isn't backed up to Google Photos again and your local copy isn't deleted, leave backup off.
Tips:
If you leave backup off, you lose the benefits of backup. Learn about the benefits of backup.
If you want your photos and videos to save automatically to your Google Account again, you can turn on backup.
If you turn on backup sometimes:
The deleted photo or video may be backed up again once backup is re-enabled. Note 1
The device copy of the deleted photo or video may be deleted once backup is re-enabled. Note 2
End of help article,
 
Note 1
Scenario 1a - Android Pixel 6a Android 14
With Backup enabled, take a new test photo and allow it to Back up.
Turn off Backup.
Delete the web copy at https://photos.google.com/
Empty the web trash.
Turn on Backup.
Device copy remains in place and does not Back up.
This is an unstable state and Google recommends leaving Backup off. Future photos can be backed up manually.
Albums are web based, photos added will be uploaded and use account storage.
 
Scenario 1b - iPadOS 17.5.1
With Backup enabled, take a new test photo and allow it to Back up.
Turn off Backup.
Delete the web copy at https://photos.google.com/
Photos is removed from the iPadOS app view.
Empty the web trash.
Photo returns to the iPadOS app view, its details indicate that it is not backed up.
Photo is still visible in &lsquo;Review out-of-sync changes&rsquo; which allows the photo to be reviewed for deletion or tapped to open for the choice to be backed up again.
Turn on Backup.
Device copy remains in place and does not Back up.
This is an unstable state and Google recommends leaving Backup off. Future photos can be backed up manually.
Albums are web based, photos added will be uploaded and use account storage.
 
Note 2
 
Scenario 2a - Android Pixel 6a
With Backup enabled, take a new test photo and allow it to Back up.
Turn off Backup.
Delete the web copy at https://photos.google.com/
Turn on Backup.
Device copy remains in place and does not Back up.
This is an unstable state and Google recommends leaving Backup off. Future photos can be backed up manually.
Albums are web based, photos added will be uploaded and use account storage.
Empty the web trash.
Permanently deletes the device copy.
 
Scenario 2b - iPadOS 17.5.1
With Backup enabled, take a new test photo and allow it to Back up.
Turn off Backup.
Delete the web copy at https://photos.google.com/
Photo is removed from the iPadOS app view.
Turn on Backup.
Device copy is still not visible in the iPadOS app view.
This is an unstable state and Google recommends leaving Backup off. Future photos can be backed up manually.
Albums are web based, photos added will be uploaded and use account storage.
Empty the web trash.
Photo returns to the iPadOS app view, its details indicate that it is not backed up.
Device copy remains until deleted from out-of-sync deletions screen.
 
Scenario 2c - Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra, Android 14
With Backup enabled, take a new test photo and allow it to Back up.
Turn off Backup.
Delete the web copy at https://photos.google.com/ -
Chris Guid, using Samsung Galaxy S21 After deleting the web copy, it doesn&rsquo;t change on the Google Photos app right away, but if you force quit and reopen the Photos app, the deleted photo is gone from the grid. The deleted photo shows up in the Out-of-sync screen. If you leave it alone there, it is still on the device and shows up in the On Device section.)
Turn on Backup.
Device copy remains in place and does not Back up.
This is an unstable state and Google recommends leaving Backup off. Future photos can be backed up manually.
Albums are web based, photos added will be uploaded and use account storage.
Empty the web trash.
Device copy remains until deleted from out-of-sync deletions screen.
Further reading:
Google Photos Guides and Video Tutorials

Delete photos and videos - Notes on the Google help article

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