Google's upcoming change to its Google Photos API is set to break the auto-sync feature on some digital photo frames, affecting users who rely on the convenient feature to update their frames with new photos. The change, announced last September and going into effect on March 31st, limits how apps can access users' photo libraries and no longer allows integrated access to entire libraries or the management of shared albums.

As a result, companies like Aura and Cozyla, which make cloud-connected digital photo frames, will no longer be able to auto-sync Google Photos albums with their devices. Aura has already announced that it will disable its Google Photos auto-sync feature on March 17th, 2025, while Cozyla has also informed its users of the impending change, according to a Reddit thread.

The auto-sync feature allowed users to create a Google Photos album and have it automatically update on their digital photo frame, making it easy to share new photos with family and friends. However, with the API change, users will now have to manually add photos to their frames via the Google Photos app, a less convenient process.

Aura's senior director of communications, Jenisse Curry, explained that the company 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. However, with the API change, this integration will no longer be possible, and the company is getting ahead of the change to help customers transition.

While the change may seem minor, it has significant implications for users who rely on the auto-sync feature to keep their digital photo frames updated. Aura has suggested alternative solutions, such as using its iCloud integration, which works in a similar way, or turning on auto-add with native albums in the camera roll on iOS or native albums in folders on Android.

It's worth noting that Google has announced plans to expand its Google Photos slideshows to more third-party devices, including smart TVs, tablets, fridges, and digital photo frames. However, it's unclear whether this new feature will replace the auto-sync feature being removed, and Google has not responded to requests for more information on the matter.

The impact of this change highlights the importance of considering the broader implications of API changes on users and the ecosystem as a whole. As technology continues to evolve, it's essential for companies to prioritize user experience and find ways to mitigate the disruption caused by such changes.

In the meantime, users of digital photo frames will have to adapt to the new reality and find alternative solutions to keep their frames updated with new photos. The change serves as a reminder of the importance of staying informed about updates and changes to the services and devices we rely on.