Google Photos offers new features and improvements, and the latest features benefit iOS users with a nice little change you might not have noticed. We’ve added a horizontal row of shortcuts at the top of the screen, making accessing frequently used features and albums easier.
What’s New in Google Photos for iOS?
At 9to5Google, we’ve learned that within the iOS version of Google Photos (v7.11), a new shortcut row is added to the top of the app. This row includes:
- Favourites
- Recently Added
- The Last Viewed Album
- Trash
Previously, some of these shortcuts could only be accessed through the Collections tab. This row adds these features to the foreground, making it unnecessary to jump in and out of tabs or scroll to see specific albums or media.
It also pushes the photo grid slightly downward, but this concession will probably improve the system’s overall usability.
Is This Update Coming to Android?
The new shortcut row is currently just for iOS, but Android users should see the functionality soon. While the outlook of this rollout is uncertain, Android still lags far behind iOS in terms of Google Photos’ design and functionality.
For example, the Android version of Google Photos still shows four tabs at the bottom, like typical Android apps, whereas the iOS version switched to a clean three-tab layout with just one tab option being ‘All.’ To achieve this sort of design shift on iOS, it was only necessary to move Memories to the Collections tab, a shift that has not yet been made on Android.
Android users also continue to wait for the integration of the Gemini-powered Ask Photos feature, which is available only in the U.S.
Why This Update Matters
The new shortcut row is a thoughtful addition aimed at improving accessibility and convenience for Google Photos users:
- Favourites at Your Fingertips: We can save a little time using the top row by being able to access its Favorites directly and cutting out the navigation.
- Quick Access to Recent Albums: Since users often return to a specific album, such as a recent vacation or event, they’ll appreciate the shortcut to the last viewed album.
- Streamlined Trash Access: Prominent placement of Trash now means managing deleted files is just a tiny bit easier.
The changes align with Google Photos’ overall mission to make media organization and seeking as easy as possible.
Where to from Google Photos?
This update has been sweet for iOS users, but Android fans will continue to hope for parity in design and features. Therefore, it should upgrade the Android user experience whenever this shortcut row rolls out. Meanwhile, we can see Google’s focus on iterative updates across platforms; recent additions such as Quick Edit and better album visibility have been causing a stir.
This new feature is only available for iOS users, but Android users should remain vigilant for future updates. Since Google Photos is running on both platforms, we will be closely watching how Google Photos continues to fine-tune its user experience.
Ethan Cole is a tech aficionado dedicated to exploring the latest innovations and gadgets, providing reviews and insights to keep you updated in the tech world.
