Earlier this year, the Pixel 10 lineup made waves with the introduction of a unique “conversational editing” feature in Google Photos. This innovative tool allowed users to communicate with AI, either by typing or speaking, to request specific edits to their photos. Now, this feature is expanding its reach, becoming available to a broader audience of eligible Android users.
The concept of utilizing AI for photo editing may initially seem like a novelty, but it promises to empower a wider range of users to achieve their desired results without the need for intricate editing skills. This rollout follows closely on the heels of an updated photo editor for Google Photos that was launched in late August. For those eager to dive into the world of conversational editing, here’s what you need to know.
What makes you eligible?
Google is currently rolling out the conversational editing feature to eligible Android users. To qualify, you must meet the following criteria:
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Reside in the United States
- Have your Google Account language set to English (United States)
- Have Face Groups enabled
- Have location estimates activated
Even if you fulfill all these requirements, you may not see the Ask Photos feature immediately, as its availability is still being phased in across different regions.
What can you do with Conversational Editing?
This new feature democratizes photo editing, allowing users of all skill levels to enhance their images. Whether you want to make subtle tweaks or completely transform a scene, you can simply ask Photos to assist you. Here are some examples of the types of edits you can request:
- Specific Edits: “Increase the saturation by 100%” or “Brighten the sky.”
- Reimagine the scene: “Make the ground into a calm pond.”
- Broad Requests: “Make this photo look better.”
To illustrate the capabilities of conversational editing, consider these prompts:
Google Photos settings to double-check
To optimize your experience with Gemini in Google Photos, it’s essential to verify your settings. Here’s how to do it:
- Tap your profile photo
- Select Photo settings
- Choose Gemini Features in Photos
If you prefer not to have Google track your queries to Ask Photos, you can disable this setting by toggling “Allow us to access your queries” to off. Additionally, you can manage which Gemini-powered features you wish to use, including the option to disable Gemini entirely or selectively turn off features like Ask Photos, Gemini-powered memories, and Help me title. You can also curate the Remember List, which keeps track of personal relationships and details you’ve shared with Photos.
