Google Photos gets a redesigned library with quick access in mind

iPhone 11 Pro (Image credit: Rene Ritchie/iMore)

What you need to know

Google has updated its Google Photos app for iPhone and iPad.
Google says the change is to make it easier to quickly access photos.
The new Google Photos update is now available for download from the App Store.

Google has released an updated Google Photos app for the iPhone and iPad and while the release notes don't say anything about what's changed, we do know that there is a redesigned library to check out.

The new library view is showcased via an onboarding screen that appears the first time you launch the Google Photos app after updating it via the App Store. 9to5Google notes that version 5.83 is the one you need in order to get the new library that "highlights your Favorites and Albums to make it easier to find saved photos." Google also says that "you'll also still find Locked Folder. Utilities. Archive, and Trash here, just at the bottom at the page." Weird phrasing Google's, not mine.

Google Photos Refreshed Library Ipad (Image credit: 9to5Google)

As for those aforementioned released notes, they say we can expect bug fixes and performance improvements — two things that are always welcome.

Thanks for using Google Photos. This release includes bug fixes and performance improvements.We fixed user-reported issues and added new features so you can find the right photos faster.

While iCloud Photos is already supported by all of Apple's devices, many still believe Google Photos to be the best iPhone app and service for storing images online.

Those who already have the Google Photos app installed will see the update is now ready for them to install. Everyone else can download the app afresh right now. It's a free download with in-app purchases available for those who want to unlock more storage.

Oliver Haslam has written about Apple and the wider technology business for more than a decade with bylines on How-To Geek, PC Mag, iDownloadBlog, and many more. He has also been published in print for Macworld, including cover stories. At iMore, Oliver is involved in daily news coverage and, not being short of opinions, has been known to 'explain' those thoughts in more detail, too.

Having grown up using PCs and spending far too much money on graphics card and flashy RAM, Oliver switched to the Mac with a G5 iMac and hasn't looked back. Since then he's seen the growth of the smartphone world, backed by iPhone, and new product categories come and go. Current expertise includes iOS, macOS, streaming services, and pretty much anything that has a battery or plugs into a wall. Oliver also covers mobile gaming for iMore, with Apple Arcade a particular focus. He's been gaming since the Atari 2600 days and still struggles to comprehend the fact he can play console quality titles on his pocket computer.