Android Users Can Now Talk to Google Photos to Edit Pictures

What to know

• Google is expanding conversational photo editing (voice/text commands) from Pixel 10 to more Android phones in the U.S.
• Users must enable “Ask Photos” and opt into Gemini in Google Photos to access the new editing tool.
• After enabling, “Help me edit” appears in the editor; edits can be requested with vague or specific prompts like “make it better” or “restore this old photo.”
• The feature is experimental, works in the U.S. for now, and may require some additional settings (like enabling location estimates, Face Groups). It may take a few days after opting in before the edit prompt appears.

Android users can now enjoy a powerful new feature in Google Photos called conversational editing. This update, which is currently rolling out to eligible U.S. Android users, allows photo editing by simply describing the desired changes through voice or text commands instead of manually entering sliders or selecting tools.

How conversational editing works in Google Photos

After choosing a photo, tap “Help me edit” in the Google Photos editor and describe the edits you want. The Gemini AI then processes the requests and applies them, offering multiple edited images to choose from. This can include anything from simple brightness adjustments and removing background distractions to creative transformations like changing image backgrounds or adding objects.

You can give multiple instructions in one go, such as “remove reflections and fix washed-out colors.” The feature also supports follow-up commands to fine-tune the result after an initial edit. For users unsure where to start, Google Photos proposes suggestions like “make it better,” and the AI handles the rest.

How to use conversational photo editing with Google Photos (step-by-step guide)

1. Update Google Photos to the latest version.
2. Enable “Ask Photos” within the Photos app. This may involve opting into Gemini.
3. Ensure any required settings are on (e.g. location estimates, Face Groups) if specified.
4. Open a photo, tap Edit, then tap Help me edit.

5. Speak or type your edit prompt.

6. If needed, follow up with adjustments or refinements.

Transparency and metadata

Google places importance on transparency by embedding metadata using the C2PA Content Credentials standard. This metadata appears in Google Photos to show how pictures were captured and whether AI tools were used for editing. This feature first debuted on Pixel 10 devices and is now being adopted more widely on Android with the conversational editing rollout

Availability and future outlook

Currently, the conversational editing feature is available as an opt-in for eligible Android users in the U.S. It was initially exclusive to Pixel 10 smartphones but is expanding to a broader audience. There is no confirmed timeline yet for international or iOS rollout, but the introduction makes photo editing more accessible and intuitive on Android devices.