What to know

  • Google Photos now allows users to edit their own photos and videos in shared albums without creating duplicates
  • The feature is already live on web, iPhone, and iPad platforms
  • Android users will receive the update soon, though Google hasn't specified an exact date
  • Edits must be made from the album page or saved to the original image for changes to appear in the shared album

Google has introduced a significant update to Google Photos that addresses a long-standing limitation in how users interact with shared albums. Previously, once you added photos to a shared album, you couldn't make changes to them without creating duplicates.

The new feature allows you to edit photos and videos you've shared in albums using Google's full suite of editing tools, including AI features like Magic Eraser and Best Face. This means you can now fix that group photo or remove unwanted objects from vacation pictures even after sharing them.

There are some important limitations to understand. You can only edit photos that you own - you can't modify images that others have shared in the same album. Additionally, the edits must either be made directly from the album page or saved to the original image rather than as a copy.

If you choose the "save as copy" option when editing, your changes won't appear in the shared album. This gives you the flexibility to make private edits when needed while maintaining the original in the shared collection.

The feature is currently available on the web version of Google Photos as well as on iPhones and iPads. Android users will need to wait a bit longer, as Google has confirmed the feature is coming to Android devices but hasn't provided a specific timeline.

Some Android users report still seeing the old method that requires saving edited photos as new copies within shared albums, creating duplicates for everyone with access. This suggests the rollout is happening gradually via server-side updates.

This improvement aligns with Google's recent focus on enhancing photo editing capabilities and shared experiences. It removes a significant friction point for users who collaborate on photo collections with friends and family.

Via: 9to5Google