Google Photos 7.55 Brings Gradient Icon and Shortcuts Redesign to Android and iOS

Google Photos Gets Visual Overhaul with New Icon and Interface Changes

Google is rolling out significant visual updates to its Google Photos app across Android and iOS platforms, introducing a refreshed gradient icon design and testing a reimagined Shortcuts interface that could reshape how users navigate the app.

New Gradient Icon Design Arrives in Version 7.55

Google Photos version 7.55 brings a redesigned homescreen icon featuring a gradient aesthetic, marking a departure from the app's previous look. The new icon is rolling out to both Android and iOS users, giving the popular photo storage and management app a fresh visual identity that aligns with Google's evolving design language.

Shortcuts Feature Gets Story-Inspired Makeover

Beyond the icon update, Google Photos is testing a carousel-style redesign for the Shortcuts feature found at the top of the Collections tab on Android devices. The new design takes inspiration from social media stories, presenting shortcuts in a horizontal scrolling format rather than the traditional layout.

According to Android Police, this Shortcuts overhaul could end up being a divisive change among users, suggesting the new interface may not appeal to everyone who's grown accustomed to the current design.

Why This Matters to Users

While these updates are primarily visual in nature, they represent Google's continued effort to modernize the Photos app experience. The gradient icon gives the app a more contemporary look on users' homescreens, while the Shortcuts redesign aims to make key features more accessible through a format that's become familiar through social media platforms. However, as with any significant interface change, users may need time to adjust to the new navigation patterns, and some may prefer the previous design.