Google Photos has long been more than a digital album—it’s a dynamic storytelling platform. Its latest evolution, the dedicated ‘Create’ tab, now available for Android and iOS users worldwide, marks a strategic leap from passive storage to active creation. This isn’t a simple UI change. It’s Google saying, “Everyone’s a creator now. ” By pulling together AI tools, group projects, and pro-level editing into one easy spot, Google Photos shifts how we revisit our memories. Let’s break it down.
Google Photos Rolls Out ‘Create’ Tab for Android & iOS – Full Details Inside
The headline feature is impossible to miss: a bold star-shaped ‘Create’ tab now anchors the bottom navigation bar, sitting alongside ‘Photos,’ ‘Search,’ and ‘Library.’ This takes the place of the old ‘Sharing’ tab, which you’ll now find under ‘Library’ → ‘Shared. ’ It brings all of Google Photos’ creative tools together in one spot. Want to animate old portraits? Go ahead. Planning a wedding album or putting together a cinematic travel montage? The ‘Create’ tab is where you start.
What’s Inside the ‘Create’ Hub?
- AI-Powered Movies: Automatically generates videos themed around events (e.g., “Beach Trip 2024”) with music and transitions. Users can customize clips or let AI curate entirely.
- Collage & Animation Studio: Merge 2–9 photos into grids, or apply “Motion” effects to create looping animations from still images.
- Shared Album Creator: Instantly start group albums for weddings, parties, or trips. Contributors add photos in real time.
- Photo Books: Design polished physical/digital albums (starting at $9.99) with custom layouts, shipped via Google.
- Stylized Filters: One-tap enhancements like “Cinematic” (3D depth), “Portrait Blur” (background bokeh), and “Dynamic” (color pop).
The rollout began May 15, 2024, hitting 100% of global users by late June. Requires Google Photos v6.85+ (Android) or v7.0+ (iOS).
Why This Update Is a Game-Changer: Beyond Organization
Before this update, Google Photos’ creative tools felt buried. Movies hid in “Utilities,” collages appeared sporadically in “Suggestions,” and albums required 3–4 clicks to start. This fragmentation discouraged experimentation. The ‘Create’ tab solves this by acting as a centralized creative studio—a move validated by Google’s beta data showing 40% higher engagement with editing tools.
But this isn’t just about new features. Google’s ‘Create’ tab signals a deeper shift. Hidden in plain sight, it’s a gateway to generative AI for everyone. Here’s how:Tools like “Cinematic Photos” add depth to flat images. Animation stitches snapshots into smooth loops with ease. Machine learning powers the heavy lifting. The result? Even beginners can turn a simple group photo into a lively 3D scene—in seconds, no design background required.
User Experience: Navigating the New Creative Workflow
For existing users, the transition is seamless but significant:
- The bottom bar’s ‘Sharing’ tab disappears.
- A new star-icon ‘Create’ tab appears.
- ‘Sharing’ moves to ‘Library’ → ‘Shared.’
Tapping ‘Create’ reveals three key sections:
- Smart Suggestions: Context-aware prompts like “Make a collage from Tuesday’s museum visit.”
- Template Gallery: Pre-designed themes for holidays, birthdays, travel, or seasons.
- Manual Projects: Start movies, albums, collages, or animations from scratch.
The interface emphasizes visual previews. For instance, selecting “Photo Book” displays 5+ layout options instantly. Collaborative projects (like shared albums) sync edits across all contributors in real time—ideal for family reunions or team events.
Real-World Use Case: A Wedding in 3 Steps
- Before: Start a shared album under ‘Create’ → “Shared Album,” titling it “Alex & Sam Wedding.”
- During: Guests add live photos/videos via the shared link.
- After: Use ‘Create’ → “Movie” to auto-generate a highlights reel from the album’s best moments.
Behind Google’s Strategy: AI, Monetization & Market Dominance
This update aligns with Google’s three core priorities:
- Generative AI Integration:
The ‘Create’ tab primes users for Gemini-powered features launching in late 2025. Imagine typing “Make a noir-style movie from my NYC trip with jazz music” and watching AI curate clips, apply filters, and score the video. - Monetization:
While basic tools remain free, premium features require Google One ($1.99/month+):- Advanced video styles (e.g., “Timelapse Pro”)
- Exclusive collage layouts
- Priority photo book shipping
Physical photo books start at $9.99 for 20 pages.
- Competitive Edge:
Unlike Apple Photos (device-centric) or Amazon Photos (storage-focused), Google Photos leverages AI to add value to memories. As cloud storage becomes commoditized, creativity is Google’s moat.
Early User Feedback: Praise & Pain Points
Positive Reactions:
“Creating a birthday collage for my mom took 2 minutes—it suggested the best photos automatically!”
“Shared albums for my hiking group are now effortless. Everyone adds pics as we climb!”
Criticisms:
“Moving ‘Sharing’ to Library adds friction for social users.”
*”iOS version lags when applying ‘Cinematic’ filters to 50+ photos.”*
“Need more control over AI movie editing—the music choices are limited.”
Limitations to Note:
- Offline editing is restricted (requires cloud sync).
- Advanced video exports are capped at 1080p for free users (4K for Google One).
- iOS lacks Android’s “Quick Create” widget.
Maximizing Your ‘Create’ Tab: Pro Tips
- Weekly Memory Ritual:
Every Monday, check “Suggested Creations” for automated highlights of your weekend. - AI as a Co-Creator:
Use ambiguous prompts like “Make something fun from December” to surprise yourself. - Collaborative Power:
Start shared albums before vacations so guests contribute photos in real time. - Monetize Creativity:
Design photo books as gifts (Grandparents’ 50th anniversary) or sell custom collages on Etsy.
The Road Ahead: Generative AI & Beyond
Google confirmed three ‘Create’ tab expansions in 2024–2025:
- Text-to-Video Editing: “Make a birthday video with balloons and pop music.”
- AI Background Expansion: Use Gemini to extend photo borders or replace skies.
- Multi-User Editing: Simultaneously edit shared albums with friends.
As AI reshapes creativity, Google Photos positions itself as the all-in-one hub for memory transformation—not just preservation.
FAQs
Q1: Is the ‘Create’ tab free?
A: Basic features are free (collages, animations, shared albums). Premium edits (e.g., “Cinematic” filters, advanced video styles) require Google One ($1.99+/month).
Q2: Can I disable the ‘Create’ tab?
A: No—it’s a core part of the app’s navigation. However, you can ignore it if unused.
Q3: Where did the Sharing tab go?
A: It’s relocated under Library → Shared. Your existing shared albums remain accessible there.
Q4: Do creations use my Google Drive storage?
A: Yes, but minimally. A 60-second movie uses ~30MB. Photo books only store metadata until purchased.
Q5: Can I use ‘Create’ on older devices?
A: Requires Android 8.0+ or iOS 15+. Performance may lag on devices with <3GB RAM.
Q6: Are there ads in the ‘Create’ tab?
A: No ads. Google One promotions appear only if you tap premium features.
Q7: How does AI choose “Suggested Creations”?
A: It analyzes photo quality, faces, timestamps, locations, and recurring events (e.g., annual vacations).
Conclusion: Your Memories, Reimagined
Google Photos Rolls Out ‘Create’ Tab for Android & iOS – Full Details Inside isn’t just news—it’s an invitation. This tab transforms your gallery from a scrapbook into a multimedia studio, where AI handles technical heavy lifting while you focus on storytelling. Though minor workflow adjustments exist, the payoff is profound: effortless creativity that turns fleeting moments into legacy artifacts.
As generative AI rockets forward, the ‘Create’ tab will evolve from a convenience to a necessity—a place where typing a sentence births a cinematic memory. Update your app, embrace the star icon, and rediscover what your photos can become. The future of memory-keeping isn’t about looking back; it’s about creating forward.
→ Pro Tip: Pair this with Google’s new “Photo Week” initiative (free workshops on using ‘Create’), live now on YouTube.
