Google Photos Upgrades: AI-Driven Editing Tools & Global Smart Search in 100+ Countries

Google has rolled out a major update for its Photos app that brings in new AI-based editing and search tools for a broader global audience. TechCrunch
One of the key capabilities now available: users can ask for edits like “remove Riley’s sunglasses” or “make Engel smile and open her eyes” by tapping the “Help me edit” feature. The system uses face-group recognition to apply instructions to each individual in a photo. TechCrunch
On the creative front, Google is integrating its Nano Banana image model: this lets users apply style shots such as “Renaissance portrait” or “cartoon strip” to existing photos via templates. This feature will launch via the Create tab on Android in the U.S. and India next week. TechCrunch
A new “Ask” button now appears for both iOS (in the U.S.) and Android users, offering a conversational interface that lets you ask questions about a photo (“What time was this taken?”), retrieve related moments, or make edits through natural language. Some suggestion chips guide the user on possible requests. TechCrunch
Google is also vastly expanding its AI-powered search in the Photos app: previously launched in the U.S., the feature now covers more than 100 countries including India, Japan, Brazil, Australia and South Africa. It supports 17 additional languages such as Hindi, Arabic, German and Portuguese. TechCrunch
In summary: Google Photos is shifting from a storage and simple editing tool toward a more conversational, AI-rich platform for both editing and discovery, and it is doing so on a global scale.