Google announced an update to the Google Fotos app that allows users to switch between traditional search and the new Gemini AI-powered functionality. The change directly responds to criticism received since the launch of the “Ask Fotos” or “Ask Photos” option, which integrates the Gemini model to process natural language queries. Muitos users reported that AI search takes longer to deliver results, especially in libraries with thousands of images, and that accuracy has dropped compared to the classic system.
The company introduced a button visible directly on the application’s search screen. Esse switch allows you to immediately activate or deactivate AI search, without having to access deep settings menus. Traditional search remains available and prioritizes speed and accuracy for simple terms, such as object names, dates or specific locations. Functionality with Gemini remains useful for more complex queries, such as descriptions of specific scenes or events, although it requires patience in extensive galleries.
Complaints highlight slowness and accuracy gaps
Users with large libraries, numbering tens of thousands of photos, experience significant delays when using AI search. The process requires complete analysis of the photo library, which increases response time to several minutes in some cases. Precision has also generated dissatisfaction, as the system returns incomplete or generalized results.
In reports shared on forums, specialized photographers observed that specific terms no longer displayed all corresponding images. For example, searches for rare bird species yielded few results, even with thousands of photos previously cataloged using the classic method.
Traditional search has always stood out for its speed and the ability to filter images based on metadata, facial recognition and automatic tags. Muitos prefer to keep this mode for everyday tasks, reserving the AI for occasions when they need detailed narrative descriptions.
Update responds to accumulated negative feedback
Google reacted to the volume of criticism registered in online communities and evaluations of the application. The company recognized that the mandatory integration of AI in search generated frustration among a significant number of users. The new toggle offers direct control, allowing each person to choose the mode best suited to their daily use.
The Ask Photos feature initially debuted in 2024 on the Estados Unidos and has expanded to more countries and languages over time. Apesar promises greater intelligence in complex queries such as “photos from the day my daughter learned to ride a bike”, the results have not always met expectations in terms of speed and completeness.
Google keeps AI search as the initial default, but the toggle makes it easier to switch. The company indicated that it will continue to improve the Gemini model to reduce latency and increase accuracy with future updates.
How to access the new switch in the app
The toggle button appears in the Google Fotos search interface on Android and iOS devices. When opening the search bar, the user sees the option to select between “Classic” and “Ask Photos”. The change occurs instantly and only affects the displayed results.
For simple queries like “beach 2023” or “cats”, classic mode delivers results in seconds with a full display of matching images. Já AI mode processes more elaborate questions, although it takes longer to load in large collections.
Users who maintain extensive galleries recommend testing both modes to identify which best suits their specific needs. The update has already started to be distributed globally via application update.
Advantages of traditional search persist
The classic search system in Google Fotos is based on advanced image indexing, which includes automatic recognition of objects, people and locations. Essa approach ensures fast and comprehensive responses without relying on intensive cloud processing for each query.
Many users point out that the accuracy of the old method surpasses AI in exact keyword searches. The functionality with Gemini shines in creative scenarios, but loses in efficiency for routine use.
Google’s decision to make AI optional reinforces its commitment to user experience. The company seeks to balance technological innovation with practical preferences established over the years.
Functionality with Gemini may improve over time
Although current criticisms focus on slowness and inaccuracies, Google continually invests in improving Gemini. Atualizações future ones should address the points raised, making AI search more competitive in speed and relevance.
For now, toggle represents a practical solution that returns autonomy to users. The coexistence of both modes makes it possible to take advantage of the best of each approach depending on the context.
The update reinforces that Google Fotos prioritizes community feedback for adjustments to core features of the application.