Google Photos turns 10, so let's be picture perfect and level up your Google Photos game

Google Photos is officially 10 years old! As we look back on a decade's worth of memories, it's also helpful to take stock of what we can do to make our Google Photos experience even better. 

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Here are some top tips to get more from Google Photos:

• Have fun with the redesigned editor: Google is launching a new editor with centralised editing tools and helpful suggestions. It says that you’ll be able to combine multiple effects for quick edits in a variety of tailored options, or you can tap specific parts of an image to get suggested tools for editing that area. Tools that were originally only in the Pixel 9, like Reimagine and Auto Frame, will soon be available for everyone. This will begin rolling out globally to Android devices next month, with iOS following later this year.

• Share albums instantly with QR codes: Starting its roll out now is an easier way to share albums with friends and family. Simply generate a QR code for easy album access with people nearby, or print it for group events. Anyone can just scan the code and view or add photos.
• Revisit the places you’ve been with an interactive map: Under the collections tab, just tap on “Places” to relive all your travels. Here, you’ll see your photos geographically pinned on an interactive map, allowing you to relive happier times.

• Find things faster by getting specific with your searches: Ask and find exactly what you’re looking for without worrying about using the right keyword with search in Google Photos. Looking for that photo of you in a sparkly blue dress? Then just ask for "me in a sparkly blue dress". For the best results, be sure to name the faces (including your own) in the "People & Pets" section.

• Enjoy a look back at your month or year: Relive memories with Google Photos' as it automatically generates recaps themed around "Best of Month" and "Year End Recap". 
• Create a personal montage to share: Simply tap on the “+” button, select <highlight video> and choose the things you want to include — yourself, your friends, pets, an event or even a place. Photos will automatically combine your memories into a short video with music that’s perfect for sharing.

• Use shared albums to stay close: Automatically get new photos of people and pets via shared albums. If you’ve chosen to share an album with someone, updates will simply roll into their app or even their smart photo frame. It’s a great way to share photos of a pet or your meals in an exotic location with friends or loved ones.
• Personalise what you see in your grid: If you have certain photos cluttering up your feed, use grid controls to tidy up by tapping on the three-dot icon at the top of your main gallery. For example, you can let Photos stack similar pictures that were taken close together to declutter your gallery or hide screenshots, GIFs and memes.
• Choose what memories you see (or even hide): You can customise what appears in your Google Photos memories, or choose to hide specific people, pets or dates and choose between time-based or themed memories under Settings > Preferences > Memories.

• Freeing up space: If storage on your phone is running low, Photos can help you easily get some of it back. Just tap your profile picture, then “Free up space on this device” to remove items that are already safely backed up to your Google Photos account. You can still view them any time in Google Photos while getting more space on your phone for whatever you need.

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