Google Photos has been a go-to platform for photo storage and editing, offering advanced features like Magic Editor and AI-powered search. However, a fundamental editing capability has been notably absent until now. The recent update brings a long-awaited basic function that many users have been requesting since the service's inception.
New Flipping Feature Implementation
Google has officially announced the rollout of a photo flipping feature for Android users. This basic yet essential tool allows users to horizontally mirror their images directly within the Google Photos app. The implementation comes as a welcome addition to the existing editing suite, which previously only offered cropping, rotation, and aspect ratio adjustments.
Accessing the New Feature
The new flipping functionality is easily accessible through a straightforward process. Users can find it by opening their desired photo in the Google Photos app, tapping the Edit button, selecting the Crop tool, and using the new flip icon. This addition is particularly useful for correcting mirror-image selfies and adding balance to compositions.
Current Feature Availability:
- Platform: Android only
- Edit Functions: Crop, Rotate, Aspect Ratio, Flip
- Access Path: Edit > Crop > Flip icon
Platform Availability and Limitations
Currently, the feature is exclusively available for Android users. iOS users will need to continue relying on their native Photos app to flip images before uploading them to their Google Photos library. Google has not provided a timeline for when this feature might become available on the iOS platform.
Ask Photos Feature Status:
- Availability: Limited to select US users
- Access: Waitlist signup required
- Technology: Powered by Gemini AI
Additional AI Capabilities
While the flipping feature addresses a basic need, Google Photos continues to expand its AI-powered capabilities. The experimental Ask Photos feature, powered by Gemini AI, allows users to search through their photo library using natural language queries. This feature can help users find specific images and provide context about photo contents, though it's currently limited to select US users who join the waitlist.