Google Photos lets users turn off automatic memories and glare effect

Google Photos has added new settings that let users disable the app’s automatic memories feature, which automatically creates collages, animations, and themed slideshows from past photos. Users can now choose which types of content—such as specific people, dates, or entire memory categories—to hide, reducing unwanted reminders on the main screen.

The update also introduces an option to turn off the default glare effect that briefly flashes around objects or faces in photos. This effect, initially enabled by default to encourage creative edits, can be switched off in the Preferences section of the app’s settings on Android devices running version 7.85 or later. The changes respond to user feedback seeking finer control over visual content in Google Photos.