Google Photos gets smarter with AI-powered creativity tools

Google is taking its photo-editing app to a whole new level with the introduction of Nano Banana — the same Gemini AI technology that has already impressed users elsewhere in the company’s ecosystem. This powerful assistant is now being integrated directly into Google Photos, giving users the ability to edit images simply by describing what they want to change. The days of manually adjusting filters or sliders could soon be over.

According to Google, users will be able to access this feature by tapping on the “Help me edit” button within the photo editor. From there, you can type or speak a simple instruction — such as “make the sky brighter” or “remove the background” — and Nano Banana will handle the rest automatically. It’s an intuitive approach designed to make professional-looking edits available to everyone, even those with no experience in image editing.

But Nano Banana is just the beginning. Google Photos is also getting a completely new section called “Create with AI.” This feature provides a library of ready-made AI templates, allowing users to generate creative photo edits without even needing to come up with their own ideas. These templates are powered by the same Nano Banana technology and can apply artistic styles, thematic overlays, or aesthetic enhancements to your photos in seconds.

The rollout for “Create with AI” begins this week in the United States and India, with more regions expected to follow. For now, the focus appears to be on giving users quick and fun ways to personalize their images — whether for social media, family albums, or creative projects.

Google also plans to take personalization a step further. In the coming weeks, the company will introduce “personalized templates” in the US. These will analyze insights from your photo gallery to generate edits uniquely tailored to your lifestyle, hobbies, and experiences. For example, if your gallery contains a lot of hiking or travel photos, the AI might suggest templates that enhance outdoor scenery or highlight landscapes. It’s a blend of creativity and personal relevance that reflects Google’s broader push toward context-aware AI.

Meanwhile, the company’s powerful “Ask Photos” tool is expanding globally. Originally launched as a way to search your photo library using natural language, Ask Photos allows you to find images by describing them — for instance, “my trip to Paris in 2021” or “pictures of my dog in the snow.” Google announced that this feature is now rolling out to more than 100 new countries and regions and supports 17 additional languages. However, it’s still not available in the European Union or the United Kingdom due to ongoing regulatory considerations.

Alongside this expansion, a new “Ask” button is being introduced to make interaction even easier. With a single tap, users can ask about the content of a photo — such as identifying a landmark or recognizing an object in the image — and get instant answers from the AI. It’s a move that positions Google Photos not just as a storage or editing app, but as a truly intelligent photo companion.

The redesigned photo editor that integrates these AI features is also beginning to roll out for iOS users in the United States. Android users have already started seeing the update, and Google promises that the experience will remain consistent across platforms. The new interface is cleaner, faster, and more conversational, allowing users to describe desired edits in plain English instead of navigating through layers of menus.+