UPDATE: Several weeks ago, we reported that Google’s upcoming changes to its Photos API would result in digital photo frames no longer being able to automatically sync with Google accounts, effectively breaking one of the most convenient functions of digital frames. All hope is not lost however, as Aura, one of the most popular digital frame brands, has announced that they are working on a fix. Previously Aura commented that it would be disabling its auto-sync feature before Google’s API change, but the company is now saying it is working with Google to resolve the issue altogether.
“We are working with Google to maintain auto-add for Google Photos on Aura,” company spokesperson Jenisse Curry told The Verge. “While we previously announced that this feature will be removed, it will now continue.”
Aura has since told Android Authority that it is still working alongside Google for a fix, and that it will be available via a future update. So far, no timeline has been given, but it sounds like users won’t have to wait too long.
The following was originally published March 5, 2025:
Popular digital photo frames, like those manufactured by Aura and Cozyla, will soon be losing one of its biggest features due to changes made by Google. Last year, Google announced that it is changing its Google Photos API, limiting how much access a device can have into a user’s Google Photos account. Digital photo frames advertise their ease of use, in part thanks to an auto-sync feature that automatically uploads photos from Google Photos without users needing to do anything. The changes coming to Google will now keep that from happening.
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While the Google API change goes into effect March 31st, the companies behind the digital frames are preparing their users ahead of time. Cozyla is letting its customers know that auto-sync with Google Photos will be going away, while Aura will be disabling its auto-sync feature ahead of time on March 17th.
“We had a deeper integration with Google Photos that enabled direct access from within the Aura app and the ability to auto-sync a Google Photos album,” Jenisse Curry, senior director of communications at Aura, told The Verge. “That will go away because our app can no longer communicate with your cloud library.”
Users will still be able to upload photos from their Google albums to their frames, but it will have to be done manually.
