Google Just Fixed The New Android Photo Picker's Biggest Flaw
Briefing
- Google introduced a new media picker in Android 13 that allows users to select specific photos and videos instead of their entire library. This feature has now been expanded to include Google Photos integration.
- The photo picker now offers access to all Google Photos albums, as well as a dedicated Favorites album for quick access to your favorite media.
- Google Photos is currently the only cloud media application supported, but depending on device manufacturers' nominations, more cloud storage services may be added in the future.
Among a host of new features and improvements, Google introduced a new media switcher in Android 13. This lets you give apps access to just selected photos and videos on your phone instead of your entire library. Google's app was inspired by the iPhone's Media Switch and eventually ported to Android 4.4+ devices. However, the company's implementation had one major limitation: it couldn't select media from Google Photos or other cloud storage services. This has finally changed as Android Photo Picker supports Photos Cloud.
In an announcement on the Android Developers Blog, Google announced that Photo Picker for Android now supports Google Photos integration. So not only can you select photos or videos stored locally on your device, but you can also directly select media stored in your Google Photos library. This includes access to all the albums you've created. Photos and videos marked as favorites also appear in a separate favorites album in the file picker, so you can access them quickly and easily.
One problem with the Google app is that the photo picker doesn't have a search bar, so you can't search for people or subjects in your cloud photo library.
Signs that Google is working on integrating Google Photos into the new Android photo selection were first spotted in late December 2023.
Google integration is not limited to Google Photos. The company has opened up the application programming interface (API) for all cloud media apps that qualify for the beta program. However, the requirements state that only apps nominated by device manufacturers can become cloud media providers, and each company can only nominate up to three apps. This can limit your options, especially if you use a relatively less popular cloud storage service to back up your photos and videos.
Currently, Google Photos appears to be the only cloud media application supported. Google says the new photo picker will be available on all Android 12+ devices with the Google Play system update in February. Once set, the operating system tries to automatically select the default cloud media application. However, you can change them in the Photo Picker settings.
Since Google is just starting to re-release the January 2024 OS update, it may be a while before the February update is available.