If you've been using Google Photos, you might notice something different. The Library tab you've become accustomed to is being phased out, creating a new feature called Collections. This new setup is designed to make it easier to find your content, bringing all your albums into one convenient place. Whether it's your private albums or those shared with you by others, you'll now find everything neatly organised under Collections. There are also new folders for photos of people and pets, documents, and places, so everything is right where you need it.
What to expect from collections
Google's introduction of Collections comes ahead of their new Gemini-powered Ask Photos assistant, which is set to launch this summer. Google's CEO, Sundar Pichai, hinted that this update would enhance your photo browsing experience. As part of this change, Google has also revamped the search tab within Google Photos. Instead of the previous image tiles, you'll now see a list of suggested options like Screenshots, Selfies, and Menus, making locating specific types of images more accessible.
The new Collections tab isn't just a facelift for the old Library tab. While it keeps the familiar bookshelf-style icon, the view has been completely reimagined. This update is gradually rolling out to Android and iOS users, so don't worry if you haven't seen it yet—it's coming your way soon.
Once you have access, you'll find navigating your albums simpler than ever. By tapping on Albums within the Collections tab, you can switch between views such as “All,” “Shared with me,” and “My albums.” Your most-used folders, like “Favourites” and “Trash,” will be displayed prominently at the top, making them easy to access. Google has also taken user feedback into account, moving the Locked Folders. Hence, they are no longer suggested at the top of the Collections view, addressing concerns about their previous placement.
Utility folder changes and more
As part of this update, Google has also removed the Utilities folder. But don't worry—the tools you're used to are available in different places. For instance, if you want to create a Locked Folder, you'll find that option by scrolling to the bottom of the Collections tab. Other features, such as importing images or creating albums, collages, and highlight videos, can be accessed by tapping the “+” symbol. Meanwhile, tasks like freeing up space on your device or managing photo frames are now under your Google Photos account profile.
This redesign is part of Google's ongoing effort to streamline the Google Photos experience and make it as user-friendly as possible. While the changes might take some time, the new Collections tab is designed to help you find your photos more quickly and efficiently, making it a valuable update for anyone who regularly uses Google Photos.
