Google Photos Library Is Dead: Say Hello to Collections

You can say goodbye to your Library tab in Google Photos, as Google is introducing a new destination called Collections that is supposed to make it “easier than ever to find content.” Collections brings together all of your albums in one place, such as your private albums and those that have been shared with you by other users, as well as new folders for People and Pets, Documents, and Places.

The Collections view, which replaces the existing Library tab but retains the same shelf-style icon, is currently rolling out to all Google Photos Android and iOS users, but it may take a few weeks to arrive on all devices.

Users can go to the Collections tab and tap Albums to switch between different views such as “All,” “Shared with Me,” and “My Albums.” The “Favorites” and “Trash” folders will be displayed at the top, while Google says the remaining two tiles “can rotate based on what you navigate to the most.” Users’ locked folders will no longer be suggested at the top of the Collections view following complaints about the placement.

The Utilities folder is being removed entirely, but the tools within it are simply being moved. For example, the option to create a Locked Folder is now accessible by scrolling to the bottom of Collections. Options to import images and create albums, collages, and showcase videos are accessible by tapping the “+” symbol, while features like freeing up space on your device and managing photo frames now require you to tap your Google Photos account profile.