Google Photos library is dead – say hello to collections

You can say goodbye to your library tab in Google Photos, because Google is introducing a new destination called Collections this should make “finding content easier than ever.” Collections store all of your albums in one place, such as your private albums and those 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 keeps the same bookshelf-style icon — is rolling out to all Google Photos users for Android and iOS, but it may take a few weeks to reach 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 appear at the top, while Google says the remaining two tiles “may rotate based on the items you browse 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 in it are simply being relocated. For example, the option to create a locked folder can now be found by scrolling to the bottom of Collections. Options for importing images and making creations like albums, collages, and highlight videos can be found by tapping the “+” symbol, while things like freeing up space on your device and managing frames now require you to tap your Google Photos account profile.