What you need to know
- Google has announced the reinstatement of automatic third-party photo content sharing through Partner Sharing.
- This feature will be reintroduced as a new option labeled “Include content from other Android apps” within the Partner Sharing settings of the Photos app.
- The initial removal of this feature aimed to minimize “clutter,” but user feedback has prompted its return.
In a recent update, Google is reintroducing a feature in Photos that had been quietly removed a few months ago. The Google Photos team shared this news in a community post, emphasizing the return of Partner Sharing for Android users, as reported by 9to5Google. This tool previously allowed users to seamlessly share images from third-party applications, enhancing the collaborative experience for couples and friends.
Originally, Google decided to eliminate this feature to help users focus on their partner’s feed by reducing perceived clutter. However, this decision was met with considerable pushback from users who found the automatic sharing of screenshots and saved images valuable. Many were surprised when they discovered that their screenshots were no longer visible on their partner’s feed, a change that was not communicated directly through the app but rather noted in a support document.
It wasn’t until weeks later that Google officially addressed the change, citing the intention to “reduce clutter.” Now, with the upcoming update, users can expect to see their screenshots and images from other apps reappear in their partner’s view, provided they have enabled the feature. Should users choose to disable it, those images will promptly vanish from their partner’s feed.
Feedback from platforms like Reddit highlighted the frustrations surrounding the removal of automatic sharing for downloads, screenshots, and photos from other Android applications. The anticipated update aims to restore the functionality users had come to rely on.
In addition to this reinstatement, Google has also introduced the Collections tab in Photos, designed to declutter the app by offering a themed view of albums, such as “People & Pets,” “Places,” and “Documents.” This feature was created to streamline the user experience, allowing for quicker access to cherished memories.
Moreover, Google has initiated a test in the U.S. for an innovative AI-based feature called “Ask Photos,” which enables users to interact with Gemini about their stored content. This test began last fall and has since included a subtle user interface redesign, providing users with greater control over their photo management experience.
