Google Photos Revamps UI and Introduces Gemini-Powered Video Editing Feature

On July 8, 2026, Google announced a major UI update for its photo and video management app, Google Photos. This update replaces the traditional bottom navigation bar with a floating design and introduces a new video editing feature called “Video Remix,” powered by Gemini. The changes were confirmed by 9to5Google and are currently being rolled out to users in stages.

Overview of the UI Update

Previously, Google Photos featured a bottom navigation bar with multiple tabs such as “Photos,” “Search,” “Sharing,” and “Library.” With this update, the bar has been replaced by a floating bar at the bottom of the screen.

The new floating bar now displays only three options: “Photos,” “Collections,” and “Create.” This reduces the space occupied on the screen, allowing the background images to stand out more prominently. The design appears to align with the cohesive visual language of other Google apps.

The search function has been separated from the floating bar and relocated to a different area. According to a report by Android Police, the overall appearance has been described as “much cleaner and more modern” compared to the previous version.

Changes to Date Display

Alongside the UI redesign, the behavior of date display for photos has also been updated. Previously, dates were displayed as fixed separators in the photo grid by default. In the new version, dates appear as a floating pill at the top of the screen and disappear automatically after a certain amount of time.

Users who prefer the traditional date grid display can revert to the previous format through the app’s settings. Providing this option aims to reduce potential confusion among users adjusting to the new UI.

New “Video Remix” Feature

The most notable addition in this update is the “Video Remix” video editing feature powered by Gemini. Using AI capabilities, this feature allows users to perform the following tasks:

• Relighting videos
• Replacing backgrounds
• Applying artistic filters

These functionalities significantly enhance the existing editing tools in Google Photos. The background replacement and relighting features, in particular, are made possible through advanced computations managed by Gemini.

However, Video Remix is not available for free. Users must subscribe to one of the Google AI Plus, Pro, or Ultra plans to access this functionality. Details about these subscription plans can be found on Google’s official website.

Availability and Future Developments

The update is currently being rolled out in stages, meaning it may not be immediately available to all users. Depending on the device, users may need to wait several days to weeks to see the changes. The update will be activated through server-side updates from Google, so no manual action is required as long as the app is updated to the latest version.

In recent years, Google has been consistently expanding the functionality of Google Photos. This latest UI update and the addition of Video Remix are part of these ongoing efforts. From an editorial perspective, the floating bar aligns with Google’s evolving Material Design language and is likely to enhance the user experience. However, the separation of the search function may temporarily confuse long-time users, and Google may need to make further adjustments based on user feedback.

Editorial Opinion

In the short term, this update brings Google Photos’ user experience closer to that of other standard Android apps and Google services. The improved visibility achieved through the floating bar aligns well with the app’s focus on showcasing photos as its main content, and positive feedback from users is anticipated. However, the introduction of a paywall for Video Remix creates a wider gap in features available to free users. This move is likely part of a broader strategy to encourage subscriptions to Google AI Plus over the next 3–6 months.

In the long term, Google appears to be positioning its photo management app as an entry point for its AI capabilities. Offering Video Remix as a subscription-based feature reflects Google’s shift from an ad-reliant revenue model to one focused on subscriptions. Over the next 1–3 years, the gap in features between Google Photos and competitors like Apple’s Photos app and Adobe Lightroom is expected to expand, driven by AI innovations. At the same time, discussions about privacy and data usage are likely to intensify.

References

• Google Photos just ditched its clunky bottom bar for something way cleaner - Android Police — Published on July 8, 2026