The latest update to Google Messages rolls out a wealth of new features, enhancing user experience and streamlining photo sharing within the app. The redesign of the Google Messages gallery is a standout change, aiming to minimize the need to switch away from the app to access your files or camera. Let’s dive into the details and uncover how to take full advantage of these new options!
Exploring the Google Messages Gallery Redesign
In the previous version, the gallery presented a half-sheet layout with a small camera viewfinder on the left side and a swipeable selection of your 2-3 most recent images on the right. Users could browse messages while viewing images, which gave a sense of multitasking. However, with the new redesign, Google Messages has introduced a captivating full-screen gallery interface. This updated view features an enlarged camera viewfinder at the top and a scrollable selection of 3-6 recent photos located at the bottom.
This full-screen design maximizes visibility and promotes an immersive photo-taking experience. However, do note that returning to the messages requires closing the gallery window entirely. This redesign aims to simplify the process of capturing photos instantly while enhancing the preview experience right in the gallery interface.
Additionally, this update introduces two much-anticipated features: the ability to add photo captions and select your preferred image quality. Here’s how you can utilize these features effectively:
1. Adding Captions to Photos
With the new Google Messages update, users can now add captions seamlessly in the gallery interface. To do so, open the gallery within Google Messages, select a photo, or capture a new image. A large preview will be displayed with a “Write a caption”field located at the bottom, allowing you to personalize your images.
Keep in mind that if you choose to upload multiple photos, only one caption can be assigned to all, and this caption will appear alongside the top photo in the selection.
2. Choosing Image Quality
Previously, users had a “Send photos faster”setting that removed photo compression. However, the updated Google Messages interface now allows you to choose the image quality at the time of sending. The older setting has been replaced with a more user-friendly option to select photo quality directly.
Simply select a photo or take a new one to display it in the preview pane. At the top, tap on HD+, which will prompt you with options for Optimized for chat and Original Quality. The Original Quality option sends the photo in its full resolution, while the Optimized for chat option compresses the image for quicker transmission and reduced data usage.
This quality selection applies to all chosen photos but is not available for videos.
Disabling the Camera Viewfinder in Google Messages Gallery
Despite the advantages of the redesign, not all users have embraced the large camera viewfinder. Many have shared their concerns on platforms like Reddit, citing that the viewfinder can be distracting and uncomfortable to use in public where camera privacy is a concern.
If the larger camera viewfinder is not your cup of tea, you can disable it by revoking Google Messages’ access to your camera. Here’s how:
- Long-press the Google Messages app icon, then select the App info option.
- Navigate to App permissions and select Camera, then switch to Don’t allow. Confirm by tapping Don’t Allow Anyway.
Upon reopening the gallery in Google Messages, you will be prompted again for camera access. Just choose Don’t Allow. This action will effectively disable the camera until you choose to restore permissions later.
The updated Google Messages gallery greatly simplifies media sharing, eliminating the hassle of searching through file managers or launching separate camera applications. Although the camera viewfinder can be disabled, do note that the full-screen gallery experience remains in place. For additional help, check out Google’s support page.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How can I add captions to my photos in Google Messages?
To add captions, open the Google Messages gallery, select a photo, or take a new one. In the large preview, you will see a “Write a caption” field at the bottom where you can enter your desired text.
2. Is it possible to send full-resolution images through Google Messages?
Yes, the new redesign allows you to select the image quality. When in the gallery, just tap on HD+ in the preview pane and choose Original Quality to send the photo without compression.
3. Can I disable the camera viewfinder in the new gallery?
Absolutely! You can disable the camera viewfinder by revoking the camera permission for Google Messages. Simply go to App info, then to App permissions, select Camera, and choose Don’t allow.
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