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Onedrive syncing Android screenshots - how to stop?

Rafael BB 0 Reputation points
2026-05-25T21:06:40.2566667+00:00

Onedrive syncing android screenshots - how to stop?

I had set up my OneDrive backup to only back up the photos from my Camera folder on my phone. I unchecked ALL of the folders I didn't want backed up.

However, I noticed that many folders have been added to the OneDrive backup, including the Screenshots folder, which is disabled on the sync options!

How do I stop OneDrive from uploading these images?

Thanks!

[Tag moved from: Microsoft 365 and Office | OneDrive | Other | Android]

Microsoft 365 and Office | OneDrive | For home | Android
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  1. Norah-L 6,790 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2026-05-26T02:34:29.7866667+00:00

    Hello Rafael BB

    From what you described, I can understand you’ve already configured OneDrive to exclude the Screenshots folder, but it’s still being uploaded anyway.

    Unfortunately, based on similar reports, there doesn’t seem to be an official fix for this behavior at the moment.

    However, as a workaround, you could try not fully emptying the Screenshots folder. Instead, leave at least 1 file inside the Screenshots folder at all times. Some users have found that this helps OneDrive consistently respect the folder exclusion setting and prevents new screenshots from being uploaded.

    In the meantime, it would be helpful to send feedback directly through the OneDrive app (Profile > Help & Feedback). This allows your experience to reach the product team and may help improve the behavior in future updates. Since this is a user‑to‑user community forum, we can only share suggestions based on our findings and personal experiences while changes to how the app behaves would typically need to come from the product team.

    Hope this helps a bit, and thanks for your patience with this issue!

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  2. AI answer

    2026-05-25T21:06:56.35+00:00

    Screenshots and other non-camera images are likely being uploaded because additional folders are included in the camera upload/source settings, or because Samsung Gallery is syncing to OneDrive.

    To stop these uploads on Android:

    1. Open the OneDrive app.
    2. Tap Me (or the account image) and go to Settings.
    3. Tap Camera upload.
    4. Tap Organise by source.
    5. In the list of folders (e.g. Screenshots, social media, downloads), uncheck any folders that should not upload.
    6. Optionally, turn on Categorize in sub-folders so that, if you do upload them, they stay separated under the Pictures folder (e.g. a separate Screenshots subfolder).

    If using a Samsung device with Samsung Gallery linked to OneDrive, screenshots may also be coming from Gallery sync:

    1. On the phone, go to Settings > Accounts and backup > Samsung Cloud > Gallery > Albums to sync.
    2. Either select only the albums that should sync (and deselect Screenshots and others), or stop syncing albums that should not appear in OneDrive.

    If Samsung Gallery is linked and screenshots keep appearing, fully disconnect Samsung Gallery from OneDrive so it cannot upload anything:

    1. In a browser, open the Microsoft account Additional security options page and, next to Samsung Cloud or Samsung account, remove those permissions.
    2. On the phone, go to Settings > Accounts and backup > Manage accounts.
    3. Select the Samsung account.
    4. Go to Apps and services > Linked accounts > My profile > Linked accounts and remove/unlink the Microsoft account.

    After changing these settings, new screenshots and other non-camera images will stop uploading; existing uploaded images will remain in OneDrive until deleted manually.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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