Google Photos Has a Hidden Shortcut That Switches from Ask Photos to Classic Search

If you pay for Gemini Advanced but don't like the Ask Photos feature, here's how to being the classic search feature back with a couple of taps.

Written by Akash Dutta, Edited by David Delima | Updated: 28 April 2025 17:46 IST

Google Photos Has a Hidden Shortcut That Switches from Ask Photos to Classic Search

Photo Credit: Google

Ask Photos was added to Google Photos in September 2024

Highlights

Ask Photos in Google Photos is available to Gemini Advanced subscribers
The AI feature can find specific images using natural language queries
Classic search in Google Photos also supports natural language queries

Google Photos has a hidden shortcut that allows users to switch to the classic search experience from Ask Photos-driven search. First unveiled at Google I/O last year, the Ask Photos feature started rolling out to users in September 2024. The artificial intelligence (AI) feature allows users to make natural language queries to find relevant images from their images and videos stored in their Google Drive. Users can also converse with Gemini to locate a particular image, in case the first query does not return the right result.

Hidden Shortcut to Bypass Ask Photos in Google Photos

The shortcut was first discovered by 9to5Google. Those who do not have a Gemini Advanced subscription, have access to the classic search interface in Google Photos by default. However, those paying for the subscription get a new Ask Photos interface that replaces the traditional search interface.

Ask Photos allows users to leverage Gemini's capabilities to locate a particular image by describing it. However, several users have found it slow and unreliable at times. The Ask Photos interface provides a small button in the middle of the screen to switch to the traditional search interface, but it can be inconvenient to first enter Ask Photos and then move to the older search tab.

Google Photos Will Soon Let You Turn Regular Images Into Ultra HDR Photos

There is a faster method as well. Users can double-tap the Ask Photos icon, located in the bottom-right corner of the Google Photos interface, to quickly move to the traditional search. Since the classic search also supports natural language queries, users can find images faster in a familiar workflow.

To switch back to Ask Photos, Gemini Advanced users can simply tap the Ask Photos icon one more time, and they will be taken to the AI-powered experience. The publication states that this double-tapping method does not work on the Google Photos app for iOS. Gadgets 360 staff members were not able to verify this claim.

Ask Photos also lets users ask queries based on their face groups or relationships saved in the Google Photos app. Additionally, they can also search based on the location or date of the photo, the content of the image, and contextual references to the photo during a conversation with Gemini.

Comments

For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who'sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube.

Further reading: Google Photos, Gemini, Ask Photos, AI, Artificial intelligence, Apps

Akash Dutta Email Akash Dutta

Akash Dutta is a Senior Sub Editor at Gadgets 360. He is particularly interested in the social impact of technological developments and loves reading about emerging fields such as AI, metaverse, and fediverse. In his free time, he can be seen supporting his favourite football club - Chelsea, watching movies and anime, and sharing passionate opinions on food. More