Magic Editor has been removed, but numerous AI tools are available to fill that void.
Google Photos has just celebrated its 10th anniversary, and this milestone has introduced a comprehensive redesign of the app’s editing functions. The Magic Editor, a key feature of the Google Photos app that debuted with the Google Pixel 8 series, has now been restructured into several individual tools. You’ll find Magic Eraser for removing objects, along with Move and Reimagine for generative editing, in addition to a variety of other AI capabilities.
If the new layout is confusing, this thorough guide will assist you in mastering the AI functions within the Google Photos app. Many of these tools are accessible to anyone with a Google account, meaning you don’t need a Google Pixel phone or a subscription to utilize them. Let’s get started!
Google Photos: Features and accessibility
The Google Photos app on Android 16 now features the updated editing interface, which you can access by selecting a photo and tapping the Edit button on the toolbar. Instead of a dedicated Magic Editor button within the Edit interface, a new toolbar offers Auto, Actions, Markup, Filters, Lighting, and Color tabs. Next to the toolbar, there’s a Search button that enables you to find the specific tool you need, which is always useful if you’re struggling to locate something in the new design.
Magic Editor is no longer available, but its fundamental features have been retained under different names and locations. When you tap or circle a part of a photo with the editor open, you’ll encounter options for Erase, Move, and Reimagine. Essentially, the updated version of Magic Eraser serves as a replacement for the original Magic Editor object removal tool, while Move and Reimagine continue to exist. The last tool from Magic Editor, Auto frame, is now integrated into the Crop interface within the Actions toolbar.
You will see this new Google Photos editor once you update your Android phone to the most recent version of Android 16. Currently, the iOS iteration of Google Photos seems to still have the older interface with Magic Editor intact.
Google Photos: How to utilize Magic Eraser
Magic Eraser is now the primary tool for object removal in Google Photos, and there are two methods to apply it. Here’s how:
1. Launch the Google Photos app and choose a photo.
2. Tap the Edit button on the toolbar.
3. Navigate to the Actions tab and select Magic Eraser. Alternatively, tap or circle the section of the photo you wish to alter and hit Erase.
4. If you haven’t done so already, tap or circle the part of the image you want to remove.
5. Tap Erase to activate Magic Eraser, or press Deselect or Refine selection if the editor fails to identify the object correctly.
6. Click the checkmark to accept the edited version or tap the back button to try again.
7. Tap Save as copy to add the revised version to your Google Photos library.
Google Photos: How to utilize Photo Unblur
Photo Unblur is a useful feature that employs AI to enhance blurry images, functioning best with older photos affected by motion blur. It’s now located in a different area of the Google Photos app, but here’s how to access it:
1. Open the Google Photos app and choose a photo.
2. Tap the Edit button on the toolbar.
3. Go to the Actions tab and select Photo Unblur.
4. After completion, utilize the slider to adjust the intensity, and tap Save as copy to include the unblurred photo in your gallery.
Google Photos: How to utilize Reimagine
Reimagine is a generative AI feature embedded in the Google Photos editor. Instead of simply removing objects, Reimagine alters your image by modifying and adding elements to the photo using generative fill. You can experiment with it by following the steps below:
1. Open the Google Photos app and select a photo.
2. Tap the Edit button on the toolbar.
3. Tap or circle the area of the photo you want to change and select Reimagine.
4. Enter a prompt in the Reimagine text box and press the arrow to proceed.
5. Choose an option and click the checkmark when done. You can also go back and input a new prompt for improved results.
6. Tap the Save as copy button to save the new image in your Google Photos library.
Google Photos: How to utilize Auto Frame
Unsure how to crop and frame an image for the ideal appearance? Auto frame can automatically handle this for you using the standard Google Photos cropping tool. Here’s how to use it:
1. Open the Google Photos app and select a photo.
2. Tap the Edit button in the toolbar.
3. Open the Actions tab and select Crop.
4. Click Auto frame.
5. Wait as Auto frame generates options, then pick your preferred choice.
6. Tap the checkmark to proceed.
7. Press the Save as copy button to add the newly framed image to your Google Photos library.
Google Photos: How to utilize Move
To adjust the positioning of an object
