Google Photos Android Update to Include iPhone-Exclusive Features
In a significant development for Android users, Google Photos is poised to receive several features that have until now been exclusive to the iPhone version of the app. According to a report from Android Authority, code related to these additions has been discovered in the latest Google Photos v7.66 update. The new features include manual photo stacking, a floating navigation bar, and further work on the Expressive UI redesign, effectively bringing the Android app closer in line with the changes that iOS users have enjoyed for some time.
Manual Photo Stacks Coming to Android
Google Photos introduced automatic Photo Stacks in late 2023, a feature designed to group similar photos taken around the same time to reduce clutter in a user's library without deleting any content. While this was well-received, the automated grouping was not always accurate, often bundling distinct photos together with little user recourse. To address this, Google launched Manual Photo Stacks last year, giving users direct control over which photos get grouped. However, this feature was exclusive to iOS and never made it to Android.
As per the report, code in the v7.66 update suggests this is about to change. Developers have enabled Manual Photo Stacks on Android, and it functions identically to the iOS version. When it rolls out, users will be able to select multiple photos from their feed and tap a "Stack photos" option from the bottom sheet to manually create a group. Given the completeness of the implementation, this feature could arrive very soon, marking a long-awaited addition for Android enthusiasts.
Floating Navigation Bar Arrives on Android
One of the more visible disparities between the two versions of Google Photos has been the floating navigation bar. Google rolled this out to iOS as part of a broader visual refresh, which made its absence on Android particularly noticeable since the feature was originally showcased as part of Android's new Expressive UI redesign. Android users have effectively been waiting for a feature that was demoed on their platform but shipped first on a competitor's.
The v7.66 update includes an enabled version of this redesigned UI on Android, featuring the floating navigation bar alongside a gradient status bar that creates a full edge-to-edge look. This represents a meaningful visual upgrade that brings the Android app in line with the more polished feel of the iOS version, addressing a quiet source of frustration for users who expect Google's own platform to be first in line for new features.
Expressive UI Redesign Extends to Folder Selection
Google has been gradually rolling out its Expressive UI redesign across different parts of the Photos app over time, with the Backup section being the primary focus. The v7.66 update reportedly extends these changes to another area: the folder selection menu, which now reflects the new design language when choosing which folders to back up. While this is a smaller change compared to the navigation bar or manual stacking, it signals that Google is pushing to complete the redesign across the entire app rather than leaving pockets of the old interface behind.
Taken together, these three updates indicate that Google is making a deliberate effort to close the gap between its Android and iOS apps. This gap has been a point of contention for Android users who anticipate that Google's own platform should receive new features first. No official release dates have been confirmed, but the state of the code suggests a public rollout is not far off, promising a more unified and feature-rich experience for all Google Photos users.
