Managing heaps of burst photos on your phone can be a real hassle. While Google Photos’ Stacks feature aims to simplify this, its interface hasn’t always been user-friendly. However, a recently discovered update hints at a much simpler way to manage photo stacks, offering a more intuitive contextual menu.
This upcoming change, initially uncovered by Android Authority through an APK teardown, replaces the existing upward swipe gesture on photo stacks with a convenient arrow. This seemingly small tweak could significantly improve the experience, especially when dealing with numerous burst shots. It provides a quick and easy way to select your preferred image and discard the rest without the tedious process of deleting them individually.
Someone holding a Pixel 9 Pro, running the Google Photos app.
While this new feature is promising, it’s important to note that its release isn’t guaranteed. Google frequently adds features to its codebase for testing and development, and they don’t always make it to the final product. Currently, there’s no official announcement or release date for this update.
However, the discovery of this feature within the APK suggests it’s likely on the horizon. Android Authority managed to activate the updated Photo Stacks functionality in version 7.19 of the Google Photos app. This successful activation further strengthens the possibility of an imminent release. The updated menu offers a comprehensive set of commands:
- Set as top pick
- Keep this, delete rest
- Remove from stack
- Unstack
- Multi-select
- Manage stacks
It’s worth noting that the Multi-select feature, which allows for selecting and managing multiple photos simultaneously, remains unchanged. This feature continues to provide granular control over photo selection.
Google Photos app interface showing the multi-select feature.
This may not be a groundbreaking change, but for those who depend on Google Photos to organize their ever-growing photo libraries, this update promises a more efficient way to curate photos and find the perfect shot with ease. This enhanced stack management system should streamline the process, making photo organization less of a chore. While we await the official release, this sneak peek into Google’s plans suggests a commitment to refining user experience within the Google Photos app.
