Google Photos review: our take
Google Photos is the cheapest way to fix a phone photo with AI, because the main tools cost nothing. Magic Eraser takes out distractions, Unblur rescues soft shots, and Best Take swaps in a better expression from a burst. On eligible Android phones in the US, Help me edit lets you type the change you want instead of finding the right slider. For ideas on what to ask for, see our Gemini photo prompts.
The limit is your device. Android editing needs 3 GB of RAM and Android 8.0, some tools need more memory, and some are Pixel-only. For edits with full control and layers, look at Adobe Photoshop; for product shots with clean backgrounds, Photoroom.
By the Prompt Hackers team · facts checked 4 Oct 2026
What Google Photos does
Google Photos stores and edits the pictures on your phone. Google made Magic Eraser, Photo Unblur and Portrait Light free for every user in 2024, and the Android editor also lists Best Take, AI Enhance and Auto Frame, which fills in or expands parts of a picture. Eligible Android phones in the US can describe an edit in words with Help me edit.
Who Google Photos is for
Best for
- people who want quick AI fixes on photos already on their phone
- anyone who does not want another subscription
Not for
- older phones: editing needs at least 3 GB of RAM and Android 8.0, and some tools need 4 GB or 6 GB
- iPhone users outside rollout countries: editing with Ask Photos needs iOS 18, age 18+ and a personal Google account, and is rolling out to select countries
- detailed retouching: some features are Pixel-only and the toolset is short of a desktop editor
Google Photos features
- F1Magic Eraser
- remove unwanted objects
- F2Unblur
- F3Portrait Light
- F4Best Take
- F5AI Enhance
- F6Auto Frame
- fill in or expand a picture
- F7Help me edit
- describe the change in words (eligible Android devices, US)
Google Photos pricing and plans
| Plan | Monthly | Billed yearly, per month | What it includes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | — | Magic Eraser, Unblur, Portrait Light, Best Take, AI Enhance and Auto Frame in the editor; device requirements apply |
Free plan: yes. Prices as listed by the vendor in USD, before tax; they change, so check the pricing page before you buy.
Google Photos FAQ
- How much does Google Photos cost?
- Google Photos is free to use.
- What are the alternatives to Google Photos?
- Tools that cover the same jobs include Adobe Lightroom, Adobe Photoshop, Pixelcut, Photoroom.