Google Photos Introduces Toggle Between AI and Classic Search

Google Photos has added a visible toggle at the top of the search results page that lets users switch instantly between the Gemini‑powered Ask Photos AI search and the traditional keyword‑based search. The switch appears as a side‑by‑side control, with classic search on the left and Ask Photos on the right, and it remains in the selected mode until the user changes it.

The change follows user complaints about slow response times and irrelevant results from the AI‑only rollout that was paused in June 2025. By exposing both options directly, Google aims to give users quick access to the faster classic search for simple queries while retaining the deeper understanding of Ask Photos for more complex natural‑language requests. The feature is being rolled out on Android and iOS worldwide.