Google Photos Library Is “Dead”

You can say goodbye to the Google Photos library tab. The tech giant is introducing a new destination called “Collections” that is supposed to make “finding content easier than ever.”

Collections brings together all your albums in one place, including your personal albums and those other users have shared with you, plus new folders for People, Pets, Documents, and Places.

Gemini Pioneer

According to The Verge, the changes are likely to support Google’s upcoming Gemini-powered “Ask Photos” assistant, which CEO Sundar Pichai said will arrive sometime this summer.

New Tab

9to5Google notes that the search tab has also been redesigned, replacing the previous image boxes with a list of suggested options like screenshots, profile pictures, and lists.

The Collections view — which replaces the current Library tab but retains the same Library-style icon — is currently rolling out to all Android and iOS Google Photos users, but it may take a few weeks to reach all devices.

Users can go to the Collections tab and tap the Album option to switch between different views. Favorites and Trash folders will appear at the top, while Google says the remaining two boxes “may rotate depending on what you go to the most.” User-locked folders will no longer be recommended above the Collections option following complaints about the placement.

Transformation tools

The Utilities folder is removed entirely, but the tools below it are simply moved. For example, the option to create a locked folder can now be found by scrolling down to the bottom of the groups.

Options to import photos, create albums, collages, and videos can be activated by tapping the “+” sign, while things like freeing up device space and managing photo frames now require you to tap your Google Photos account profile.