Google Photos Introduces Toggle for “Ask Photos”

AI

📝 Key Points of This Article

• Google has begun introducing a toggle switch to easily turn “Ask Photos” on and off within the “Google Photos” search interface.
• Shimrit Ben-Yair (@shimritby), head of Google Photos, revealed the update on social media.
• The move comes in response to user feedback requesting the ability to use the classic search functionality—which displays results instantly based on keywords—alongside the AI-powered “Ask Photos.”

“Ask Photos,” the Google AI “Gemini”-integrated search feature for the online photo library service “Google Photos,” began rolling out in Japan and for Japanese-language environments between late 2025 and February 2026.

While “Ask Photos” is currently being deployed to the Android and iOS versions of the Google Photos app, Google is introducing a toggle switch that allows users to easily turn the feature on or off within the app’s search interface. This was confirmed by Shimrit Ben-Yair (@shimritby), the head of Google Photos, via social media.

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According to Ben-Yair, Google has received feedback from users who want to use the classic search function—which instantly displays results based on keywords—in addition to the AI-powered “Ask Photos.” In response to this feedback, the toggle switch is being introduced to give users more initiative and control, allowing them to easily switch between “Ask Photos” and the classic search experience.

While it has been possible to disable “Ask Photos” via the Google Photos app settings since its initial launch, this new toggle switch allows for quick, temporary switching, ultimately making it easier for users to find the specific photos and videos they are looking for.

The “Ask Photos” toggle switch for the Google Photos app has already begun rolling out, though it is likely a phased release.

“Google Photos” App Links