Google has been pushing its users towards the cloud for years, with Google Photos as the flagship of that strategy. Now, however, it seems to be moving in the opposite direction. An investigation into the code Google Play Services (version 26.15.31 beta) has revealed that the company is working on a function called “Automatic backup”, which would allow photos, videos and audio files to be copied directly from the mobile phone to the computer, without the data passing through any server.
The function appears integrated into the Quick Share settings and its description does not give any detours: do backup your photos with your home devices. The system would work locally, without the need for an internet connection for the transfer, although it does require that both devices be linked to the same Google account. A detail that many will appreciate: if you delete a file from your mobile, the copy on your PC stays where it is. Which is exactly what you expect when you free up space.
The end of storage subscriptions?
For now, the discovered interface points to a Windows PC as destinationalthough the developers already suggest that it could be extended to other platforms. If the feature is ever launched, it becomes a concrete alternative to paying for cloud storage, and that has direct implications for Google's business.
It is not a minor detail: the company also offers a plan called Google AI Plus for 7.99 euros per month, which includes 200 GB of storage and access to Gemini 3 Pro, among other things. A reasonable price on paper. But if a local copy function allows you to manage mobile storage without depending on the cloud, more than one user will wonder if it makes sense to continue paying for that subscription.
That said, it's best not to get ahead of yourself: this is still beta code, and Google has a long history of features that never see the light of day, or that appear months later in a completely different form. For now, andIt's an interesting sign of where the shots may go.
