Google Photos has solidified its reputation as a reliable long-term media storage solution, particularly as it comes preinstalled on many smartphones, serving as the default gallery app for countless users. This platform has become the go-to for browsing, organizing, and sharing photos and videos, bolstered by an array of intelligent features that streamline the management of one’s media collection. Notably, its search functionality, enhanced by machine learning, allows users to locate their images with remarkable accuracy.
However, when it comes to video playback, Google Photos has faced criticism for its somewhat basic offerings. Users tapping on a video are greeted with a playback screen that offers limited options for sharing and editing, with additional features hidden within an overflow menu. This minimalist approach can feel restrictive, especially when compared to other applications, such as Samsung’s built-in Gallery and Video Player, which provide a more robust experience.
Android users can finally change video playback speed in Google Photos
In a recent update, Google has addressed one of the most requested features for its Android users: the ability to change video playback speed. This enhancement, which has been on the community’s wish list for years, was announced by community manager Sushmitha Varanasi, who expressed excitement over bringing this feature to fruition. To access the new playback speed controls, users need to ensure they have the latest version of the app installed from the Google Play Store.
To find the new control, users can follow these simple steps: open the Google Photos app and select any video. Once on the playback screen, tapping the center of the screen reveals the playback controls. From there, users should click the three-dot icon located in the top right corner. This action will display a menu at the bottom of the screen, offering five different playback speed options: 0.25X, 0.5X, 1X, 1.5X, and 2X.
While the placement of this feature behind an overflow menu may not be the most intuitive design choice, it marks a significant step towards enhancing the media management and playback experience for Google Photos users. Playback speed controls have long been a staple in other Google products, such as YouTube, and even within the native video player of Chromium browsers like Google Chrome. The rollout of this new control began in early April 2026, so if users have yet to see it by mid-May, they may have an app update waiting in the Google Play Store.
With this addition, Google Photos continues to solidify its status as an essential photography app for Android users, further enriching its feature set to meet the evolving needs of its community.
