Google Photos Update Brings New Features: Light Mode, Easier Photo Info, and Smarter Menus

Google is rolling out a big update to the Google Photos app, bringing several long-awaited improvements to the user interface and photo management tools. The update is first available for iOS users, while Android users will receive it in the coming weeks.

Light Mode for a Brighter Look

The biggest change is the introduction of dynamic light mode. Previously, photos were always shown with a black background. With the update:

• Google Photos will now follow the system theme on your phone.
• If your phone is in light mode, photos will display on a light background.
• If you are using dark mode, the black background remains in place.
  This offers a cleaner, more personalized experience for users.

Easier Access to Photo Details

Previously, viewing photo metadata like date, time, or location required swiping up. Now,

• This information will be visible above the photo
• You can view the major details of the images in a view-at-a-glance
  This makes it faster to get key information without digging through menus.

Smarter Three-Dot Menu

The top-right three-dot menu is also getting smarter. New tools include:

• About – Quick access to photo metadata
• Google Lens – Get information about objects or text in the photos
• Create – Turn your images into collages or highlight videos
• Cast – Display your photos on nearby smart displays
• Save As – Convert Live or Motion photos
• Download/Delete – Manage your photos

• Replace the cover photo of a stack
• Unstack or remove specific images
• Multi-select to do batch actions
  This simplifies managing sets of similar photos.

Interactive Badges for Quick Actions

Preview images will now include interactive badges so users can:

• Play or pause Live and Motion photos
• Change photo categories
• Back up photos or manage cloud storage
• Save shared photos directly to your gallery

Existing Features Stay the Same

Despite these updates, core functions like album creation, archiving, and the “Add to” button remain unchanged. A new photo editor is also expected in a future release.

If you’re using iOS, be sure to update the app to experience the new features now. Android users will see the changes soon.