Android’s Photo Picker has long been criticized for its lack of robust search capabilities, a feature that is readily available in the Google Photos app. This limitation makes it challenging for users to quickly find specific pictures when sharing them through various applications.
During the I/O 2024 event, Google announced plans to introduce a search function to the Photo Picker, with an initial target for a 2024 rollout. However, that update did not occur last year.
Recently, some reports have emerged indicating that the search feature is starting to become available to select users, suggesting that a broader rollout may be on the horizon. This availability appears to be contingent on the Google Photos app itself, which means not all users may access the new feature concurrently.
When browsing through the Google Photos gallery, users can effortlessly find specific images by typing in the name of the photo or describing its contents, thanks to the app’s integrated search functionality. Unfortunately, this seamless experience has not yet translated to the Android Photo Picker, but that may soon change.
As of now, nearly five months into 2025, anticipation is building around the rollout of the search feature for the Photo Picker. Reports from reliable sources, such as Android Authority, indicate that the search feature is enabled for some users, providing a glimpse of what’s to come.
The search bar will be positioned above the Photos and Collections sections, and users can expect it to generate relevant results from both their local gallery and cloud-based media. The underlying functionality seems to already be active following a recent update to the Google Play System, suggesting that widespread availability could be just around the corner.
Surprisingly, this enhancement does not appear to be linked to Android 16, although future updates may still bring additional improvements to the photo picker experience.
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