Google Photos getting new ‘Updates’ feed

After replacing “Library” with the “Collections” tab in August, the next notable change to Google Photos is an “Updates” feed in place of “Sharing.”

Previously, Google Photos had a Sharing page that you accessed from a ‘people’ icon in-between the ‘plus’ menu and your profile avatar. It started with high-level shortcuts for “Create shared album” and “Share with partner.” This was followed by an “Albums and Memories” carousel. Finally, you had a list of “Conversations.”

You now get a notification bell icon in the app bar to “See recent sharing updates, including conversations and shared links.” This opens an “Updates” feed. The overflow menu lets you access:

• Sharing activity: Shared links, Shared memories, and Conversations
• Conversations

It’s not surprising that Google is deemphasising the messaging system that is Conversations, while a bell icon in that top bar is a common UI convention across Google apps, including Home, the Play Store, and YouTube

We’re seeing Updates rolled out to Google Photos for Android, but not iOS.

More on Google Photos:

• Google Photos will label images edited by AI
• Google Photos now allows complex edits that keep Ultra HDR on Pixel
• Google Photos website can now directly back up folders on your computer
• Google Photos starts rolling out AI-powered ‘Ask Photos’ following waitlist sign-ups