Google is working on a major update that will fundamentally change the photo and video sharing experience on Android phones. This update targets the “Photo Picker” tool, which allows you to securely share media without requiring apps to access your entire gallery. With these new features, finding that special memory you’re looking for without getting lost in thousands of photos will become much more convenient.

Finding the photo you’re looking for becomes easier with the Photo Picker on Android

The first and most striking new feature introduced with the update is the “date slider.” Just like in Google Photos, you can now use a handle that appears on the side of the Photo Picker screen to jump directly to a specific month or year. This feature will be a huge time-saver, eliminating the hassle of endless scrolling, especially for users with large photo libraries.

The second major improvement Google is bringing is voice command support to the search function. In addition to the text-based search feature introduced last month, the search box will now include a microphone icon. By tapping this icon, you can speak what you want to search for in your gallery. This feature will be especially helpful when your hands are full or you need to quickly make a search.

These two useful features are currently being experienced by developers and beta testers using Android 16 QPR2 Beta 3. However, Google confirmed that these improvements won’t be limited to the latest Android version. These features will also be available to millions of devices running older Android versions with a future Google Play System Update. While no specific date has been announced, the update is expected to reach a wider audience soon.

So, what do you think of these new features in Android’s Photo Picker? Do you ever find searching for an old photo in your gallery the most challenging? Don’t forget to share your thoughts with us in the comments section.