Google has recently launched an exciting new feature called “default gallery access” that allows selected smartphones to directly access and share content from Google Photos. However, this feature is currently only available for devices from OnePlus, Oppo, Realme, and Xiaomi, leaving iPhone and Samsung Galaxy users out of the loop for now.
With default gallery access enabled, users can conveniently access their Google Photos libraries without switching to the Google Photos app. They can browse, download, edit, and share content stored in Google Photos directly from their system-provided gallery app. This is particularly useful when the default gallery app offers functions that Google Photos does not support.
Enabling default gallery access on compatible smartphones, such as the Xiaomi 14, initiates the syncing process between the gallery app and Google Photos. While larger photo libraries may take some time to sync, users can continue using the gallery app during this process.
Once connected, users can edit their photos and videos directly in the gallery app without the need to switch to the Google Photos app. The gallery app displays separate albums for favorites, videos, screenshots, and locally shot images.
However, it’s important to note some limitations of default gallery access. The gallery app does not show existing albums created in the Google Photos library. Instead, all other content is grouped together in an album named “All photos.” Additionally, users must keep their device configured to back up photos to Google Photos for the sync to work. Disabling Google Photo backup will disconnect all synced images and disable default gallery access.
Furthermore, the synchronization process may not always be seamless. Edits made on other devices or the Google Photos website may not sync correctly with connected gallery apps, and there may be issues with album names and duplicate images.
In light of these caveats, it is advisable to use the Google Photos app whenever possible until these issues are resolved. Nonetheless, default gallery access offers a convenient way for selected smartphone users to access and manage their Google Photos content directly from their gallery app.
The launch of Google’s “default gallery access” feature has brought convenience to selected smartphone users, allowing them to directly access and share content from Google Photos through their system-provided gallery apps. However, it’s important to note that this feature is currently only available for devices from OnePlus, Oppo, Realme, and Xiaomi, excluding iPhone and Samsung Galaxy users.
Default gallery access allows users to browse, download, edit, and share content stored in Google Photos without switching to the Google Photos app. This is particularly useful when the default gallery app offers functions that Google Photos does not support. For example, users can make edits to their photos and videos directly in the gallery app.
Enabling default gallery access on compatible smartphones initiates the syncing process between the gallery app and Google Photos. While the syncing of larger photo libraries may take some time, users can continue using the gallery app during this process.
The gallery app provides separate albums for favorites, videos, screenshots, and locally shot images. However, it should be noted that existing albums created in the Google Photos library do not appear in the gallery app. Instead, all other content is grouped together in an album named “All photos.”
To ensure the sync between the gallery app and Google Photos works, users must keep their device configured to back up photos to Google Photos. Disabling Google Photo backup will disconnect all synced images and disable default gallery access.
Despite the convenience that default gallery access brings, there are some limitations and potential issues. Edits made on other devices or the Google Photos website may not sync correctly with the connected gallery apps. Additionally, there may be issues with album names and duplicate images.
Given these caveats, it is advisable to use the Google Photos app whenever possible until these issues are resolved. However, for selected smartphone users, default gallery access provides a convenient way to access and manage their Google Photos content directly from their gallery app.
For more information on Google Photos and smartphone features, you can visit the Google Photos website at https://photos.google.com/ and the respective manufacturer websites for OnePlus, Oppo, Realme, and Xiaomi.