Key Takeaways

• Leaked Google Photos code reveals a major redesign to the “Collections” tab.
• The potential update replaces the 2x2 grid of utility buttons with a single horizontal row.
• Core functionality remains unchanged, but the new interface may prove different enough to require some re-learning.

Google is preparing a massive overhaul of the popular Google Photos app that will change how you find and access your pictures and videos.

Used by well over one billion users worldwide, Google Photos is constantly evolving, adding new features and increasing in complexity. However, a potential redesign, spotted by Android Authority, aims to simplify the notoriously feature-stuffed “Collections” tab with a new, more streamlined interface that makes it easier to find the pictures you’re looking for.

The Collections tab, introduced in late 2024, functions like a filing cabinet for Google Photos, helping you to access your online albums, local folders and categorized documents all in one place. It’s a helpful addition to the app, but it has begun to feel more cluttered as new categories have been added over time.

Google Photos Collections: Big Interface Changes

Each category, such as “Albums” or “Documents,” can be collapsed or expanded individually so you can focus more easily on the content you want to see.

Right at the top of the page, the current 2x2 grid of pill-shaped buttons is replaced by a horizontal row of four larger buttons: “Favorites,” “Screenshots,” “Archive,” and “Trash” in the provided example.

A new folder icon has been added to the top right of the screen, next to the “+” button used to create new content. This icon isn’t mentioned in the report and, for now, remains unexplained.

Significant Interface Changes Require User Adjustment

Despite these significant changes, the underlying functionality remains the same as before, so the app should become easier to navigate once you’ve familiarized yourself with the new layout. People who rely on finding specific buttons in specific places may find themselves confused. For example, if you’ve been trying to teach your parents how to share family photos, you may find yourself booked in for a few extra lessons.

As is always the case with unreleased Google Photos tests, there’s no guarantee these changes will roll out in this exact form, if at all, although the chances should be considered high at this stage.