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Google Photos is more than just a basic photo storage app; it offers a range of fun and useful features that are often overlooked. From smart search options to creative editing tools, here are some of the best Google Photos tips you should need to try.
1Cast Photos to a Larger Screen
One of the most useful features of Google Photos is its ability to cast photos and videos to any Chromecast-enabled device, like your TV. This feature is especially handy when reliving vacation memories or flipping through an album with friends, as it eliminates the hassle of passing your phone around.
All you have to do is ensure your TV and phone are connected to the same Wi-Fi network, tap theCast iconin the Google Photos app, and select your TV. You can then enjoy your photos and videos on the big screen.
Screenshot by Pankil Shah – No attribution required
2Search Photos by Face, Location, and Keywords
When you have thousands of photos in your Google Photos library, finding that one special moment can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. Fortunately,Google Photos' powerful search featuresmake this task effortless.
It also organizes images by location; simply enter the name of a place—likeParisorChicago—and you’ll see all the photos taken there.
Additionally, there’s a keyword search feature. You can use terms such asbirthday,sunset, ordog, and Google Photos' AI analyzes the content of the images to deliver relevant results. You can also search for specific dates, such asAugust 2018. With these tools, finding specific photos only takes seconds.
3Use Google Lens for Extra Insights
Every once in a while, you may need to extract text from an image or identify an object or landmark in your photo. In such cases, you can use the built-in Google Lens feature in Google Photos. Simply open a photo in the app and tap theLens iconto identify objects, plants, animals, and even famous landmarks.
For example, if it’s a photo of a book, tapping on the Lens icon will show you reviews or links to buy it online. Spot a flower? Google Lens can help you identify the species instantly. you’re able to also use it to recognize, copy, or translate text within an image.
4Enhance Photos With Magic Editor
You may already be familiar with Google Photos' basic image editing tools like cropping, rotating, and adjusting colors. But one standout feature you shouldn’t miss is the Magic Editor. With it, you may resize, reposition, or even remove subjects from your photos. Whether you want to shift elements around or erase unwanted objects or people, Magic Editor can do it all.
To use it, simply select a photo, tapEdit, and tap theMagic Editor icon. It works for all photos and videos backed up to your Google Photos library.
Additionally, there are options to edit videos as well. You can use them to stabilize shaky footage, adjust the speed, apply filters, or evenmute the video with ease. All of this makes Google Photos a great all-in-one tool for quickly enhancing both your photos and videos.
5Create Collages, Animations, and Reels
Google Photos isn’t just for storing and editing photos—it’s also a fun tool for creating content for your social media. For instance, Google Photos can quickly create eye-catching collages from the photos you select. It can also turn a series of photos into a smooth, looping animation. If you want to share something even more engaging, you can create reels directly within the app.
To do this, just tap theplus iconin the Photos tab, choose your desired option—Collage,Animation, orHighlight video—and let the app do the work.
6Remove Location Data When Sharing
When sharing photos via Google Photos, you may not want to reveal the exact location where they were taken. Fortunately, Google Photos offers a simple way to remove location data before sharing.
Open the photo in the Google Photos app, and tap thethree-dot iconin the top right corner. Then, tap thepencil iconnext to the location and selectRemove Location. This feature helps protect your privacy by ensuring that no one can trace the exact spot where your photos were captured when you share them with others.
7Secure Photos With Locked Folder
Google Photos' Locked Folderis the perfect solution for anyone looking to keep their private photos and videos hidden from prying eyes. This feature adds an extra layer of security, allowing you to store sensitive media behind a fingerprint, face recognition, or PIN lock.
To do this, find and select the photo you want to move the Locked Folder. Tap thethree-dot iconin the top right corner, selectMove to Locked Folder, and hitMoveto confirm.
Photos and videos you move to the Locked Folder will no longer appear in your main gallery, ensuring they stay private. The best part? Locked Folder is device-specific, meaning the items are not backed up to the cloud—giving you extra peace of mind.
8Order Physical Copies of Photos
Google Photos may be all about digital storage, but it also offers a seamless way to turn your memories into physical prints. With just a few taps, you canorder high-quality photo prints, photo books, and canvas prints.
To get started, select your favorite image, tap thethree-dot menuin the top right, and chooseOrder Photo. From there, you can select between photo prints, a custom photo book, or a stylish canvas print. Prices start as low as $0.18 per print, with photo books starting at $14.99.
9Manage Google Photos Notifications
Let’s face it—Google Photos' constant notifications about new memories, suggestions, and shared albums can become a bit annoying after a while. Fortunately, you don’t have to put up with these alerts, as it’s fairly easy to turn them off once and for all.
Go toGoogle Photos Settings, selectNotificationsand you’ll find a list of all the types of alerts you’re able to disable. Simply toggle off the options for memory suggestions, shared content, and other notifications that you find unnecessary.
Google Photos makes it easy to download your backed-up photos and videos when needed. However, if you want to download your entire library at once, you won’t find an option for that within the app. For that, you’ll have to use Google Takeout. You can find the detailed steps in our guide fordownloading all your Google Photos at once.
This is especially convenient when you want to create an offline backup of all your photos and videos or transfer them to another platform.
There’s so much you can do with Google Photos, and the tips listed above are just a few examples. Be sure to try out these features—they’ll definitely elevate your Google Photos experience.
