Google Photos has rolled out a major update packed with AI-powered editing and search tools, including the ability to edit people and objects in photos, a new “Ask” button for conversational commands, AI-generated templates, and expanded natural language search capabilities.
Initially launched with the Pixel 10 series in August, Google is now extending prompt-based editing to iOS users in the U.S., allowing them to edit photos using voice or text instructions. The company has also introduced a redesigned photo editor on iOS, offering more intuitive and user-friendly editing options.
Using face grouping technology, Google Photos can now recognize individuals in images, enabling precise, personalized edits through the “Help me edit” option. For example, users can instruct the AI to “Remove Riley’s sunglasses, open my eyes, make Engel smile, and open her eyes.” The system then applies each change accurately to the specified people.
A major highlight of the update is the integration of Google’s AI image model “Nano Banana.” This tool enables creative transformations such as turning photos into Renaissance-style portraits, cartoon strips, or retro-style figures. Google will begin rolling out the AI templates next week on Android under the Create tab in the U.S. and India, where Nano Banana has gained significant popularity.
Another key addition is the “Ask” button, which acts as a conversational gateway for AI interactions within Google Photos. Users can ask questions about their photos, find related moments, or request edits through natural language prompts. Suggested actions, or “chips,” will also appear to help guide users in exploring available features.
In a parallel enhancement, Google is expanding its AI-powered search in Photos—first introduced last year—to over 100 countries, including India, Japan, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, and South Africa. The feature now supports 17 additional languages, such as Arabic, Bengali, French, German, Hindi, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, and Spanish.
With these new updates, Google Photos continues to blur the line between photo management and creative AI editing, offering users a more personalized, intelligent, and interactive way to relive and reimagine their memories.
