Google’s updated Android Photo Picker first rolled out with Android 13 in 2022, which the company soon after backported to older Android versions, going up to KitKat. While the revamped photo picker is a major win for privacy, it misses out on some basic features. Most notably, a search function. Back in July, Google was spotted testing a search bar in the photo picker, though it never got a wide rollout. Two months later, this is finally changing, as the feature finally seems to be going public.
Android expert Mishaal Rahman, writing for Android Authority, says Google has added the search bar to Android’s Photo Picker with the August 2025 Google Play system update.
After installing the update, you’ll see a search bar at the top of the photo picker, making it easy to sift through your library and quickly find the photo you need. The search function will work with locally stored media files and your Google Photos library. The latter’s integration makes the search function particularly useful, as you can select faces to filter faces of a specific person. You can get search suggestions, which include people’s faces, location, and other keywords.
Since Google now requires apps to use the Photo Picker, adding a search function fixes a major oversight and makes it far more useful.
If you don’t see the search function in Photo Picker, make sure to install the August 2025 Google Play system update on your phone. And remember, this is separate from the monthly security patch. You can check for Google Play system updates on your phone from Settings > Security and privacy > System and updates > Google Play system update.
I’ve already seen the change go live on several of my Android devices after installing the August 2025 Play system update.
Android’s Photo Picker picks up some necessary improvements
Additionally, the report points out that Google is improving the Collections tab in the Photo Picker. Instead of listing every album on your device, it now groups local albums into “From this device” and “From your apps” sections. Again, a small change, but one that should make it easier to find the right photos. It will help keep your photo library separate from media folders created by other apps on your phone.
