Google is widening the reach of its conversational photo editing tool in Google Photos, making it available to more Android users beyond its Pixel lineup. Originally introduced on the Pixel 8 series, this feature lets people edit photos by simply typing natural commands like “make the sky look bluer” or “remove the people in the background.” Now, that same technology is starting to appear on other compatible Android phones.
Key Takeaways
- What it is: A feature within Google Photos’ Magic Editor that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to interpret and carry out edits based on text prompts.
- Who gets it: It’s moving beyond Pixel devices to more Android phones. In most cases, non-Pixel users will need a device with at least 8GB of RAM to use it.
- How it works: You pick a photo, open it in the Magic Editor, and type a request describing what you’d like changed. The AI processes that command and generates an updated version of the image.
- Subscription: While the expansion makes the tool accessible to more people, unlimited saves may require a Google One subscription after an initial set of free edits.
This type of editing takes away much of the complexity people often associate with photo adjustments. Instead of fiddling with brightness, contrast, or saturation sliders, you can just describe the result you want. For instance, you might ask the app to “erase the tourists from the picture” or “add a golden hour effect,” and Google’s generative AI, which is powered by its Gemini models, will attempt to deliver exactly that.
Magic Editor as a whole has been designed to do far more than just tweak lighting or color. It can reposition subjects, change the weather in the sky, or even fill in parts of an image that weren’t there to begin with. The conversational aspect simply makes these capabilities more approachable for everyday users who may never have touched professional editing software.
The rollout is happening through a server-side update, so the feature should appear automatically in the Google Photos app if your device is eligible. No separate download is required. To see if you have it, open a photo and look for the Magic Editor button. If it’s there, you can start experimenting with text-based editing right away.
This expansion highlights Google’s ongoing strategy of gradually bringing its advanced AI tools, once limited to Pixel devices, into the wider Android ecosystem. Often, these enhancements are tied to Google One, further weaving subscription services into its growing portfolio of AI-driven features.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What is conversational editing in Google Photos?
A1: Conversational editing is a feature within Magic Editor that allows you to edit your photos by typing commands in plain language. You can ask the AI to make specific changes, like “make my shirt a different colour” or “blur the background.”
Q2: Which Android phones will get this feature?
A2: The feature is rolling out to many modern Android phones, not just Google Pixel devices. A common requirement is for the phone to have at least 8GB of RAM and a capable processor to handle the AI processing. The availability may vary by manufacturer and device model.
Q3: Do I need a Google One subscription to use this?
A3: Google Pixel owners can typically use the feature without a subscription. For users of other Android brands, Google is expected to offer a limited number of free Magic Editor saves per month. For unlimited saves, a paid Google One subscription plan is usually required.
Q4: How do I access the conversational editing feature?
A4: Open the Google Photos app, select a picture you want to edit, and tap the “Magic Editor” button at the bottom of the screen. If the feature is available on your device, you will see an interface where you can type your editing request.
