Google is introducing a new feature for Google Photos that will make accessing and sharing your pictures and videos easier and more secure. This update allows third-party apps to access your photos and videos stored in Google Photos, in addition to those saved locally on your device.
In a recent Android Developers Blog post, Google explained that the new feature adds Google Photos support to Android's built-in photo picker. The photo picker is a simple and secure way to grant apps access to your photos and videos. With this update, apps using the photo picker can only see the specific images you select, rather than your entire photo library. This safeguards your privacy and prevents any poorly or maliciously coded apps from snooping through your files.
Until now, the photo picker could only access content stored locally on your device. However, with this new update, it will also be able to access images backed up to Google Photos. The photo picker will combine your local and cloud-based pictures into a single interface and display any albums you have created on Google Photos. Additionally, any cloud-based images marked as favorites will appear in a dedicated collection at the top of the photo picker.
However, it's important to note that the usage of the Android photo picker is currently optional, and only a limited number of apps incorporate it. This means that until wider adoption occurs among app developers, the benefits of this upgrade may be limited. Currently, one way to access the photo picker is through Google's default Messages app when attaching a photo. Tapping on the 'Folders' button will launch the photo picker. If your photo picker has received the update, a message stating 'Cloud photos now available' will be displayed.
Unfortunately, if an app does not support the photo picker, like Instagram, you will only be able to see photos and videos stored locally on your device. Your Google Photos library will not be accessible, and you won't be able to view your favorite images. To post photos from Google Photos directly to Instagram, you currently need to switch between the two apps or download the photo to your device first before uploading it.
Google Photos is currently the only cloud media platform supported in the photo picker, but Google is hoping for wider adoption from other apps and services. In fact, they are running a pilot program that allows OEMs to nominate up to three apps for inclusion in the photo picker. However, it's worth mentioning that currently, only one cloud provider can be active at a time. So, you can choose either Google Photos or another provider in the photo picker, but not both simultaneously.
To enjoy the benefits of the new photo picker upgrade, you'll need to have the February Google System Update installed, which requires Android version 12 or newer.
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