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The Google Camera app for Pixel phones, now called Pixel Camera on the Play Store, is widely regarded as one of the best camera apps for Android. It combines the joys of a simplistic user interface (UI) with realistic and accurate color science, which we have come to appreciate. Pixel phones are also great at snapping selfies, which Android makes more accessible through features like the palm timer and Guided Frame. Now, Pixel users are seeing a reminder for the former show up in the Camera app.
What features are in Google's camera app and how do you use them?
Google's camera app has features to help you take the best photo or video for any situation
Google's Pixel phones are some of the best Android phones available and are well-known for their advanced camera technology. With each new release, Google pushed its camera app into new territory. In 2017, Google's computational photography changed how smartphone cameras process images. Since the Pixel 8 and Google Pixel 8 Pro launch, you have professional levels of control over how images are captured. Let's look at the modes and features Google's camera app offers.
Take a moment to place yourself back into the early 2010s mentally. The beginnings of Google Cardboard, the exciting new releases of the Samsung Galaxy series smartphones, the relatively new operating system called Android — there are so many unique and exciting moments to choose from. Photo Spheres, a Google Camera-specific feature, was introduced in 2012, and we were extremely excited about it at the time. Now, after an 11-year run at the forefront of our photography minds, Google is removing the mode from Pixel phones with the release of the Google Pixel 8 series.
Google Pixel's Night Sight is getting better on third-party apps
There’s even Android 14 support, months ahead of its release
Google Pixel phones pack among the best cameras around on a smartphone. And their excellent performance is further complemented by the Google Camera app, which packs several features to help you level up your photography game. With the Pixel Camera Services last year, Google rolled out Pixel's iconic Night camera feature to Snapchat and other third-party apps. Now, the company is rolling out the biggest update to Pixel Camera Services since its release last year with support for Android 14 and other major changes.
Android 14 Beta 3 fixes the Google Camera app, after Beta 2.1's crashes
Hey, that's why we have beta testing
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Google’s first public beta for Android 14 felt a little undercooked, with plenty of annoying bugs and inoperable features. A point release followed soon after, fixing a handful of those issues, and Beta 2 came through with even more. Android 14 Beta 2.1 arrived late last month, and while that may have been the most polished build at the time, even it couldn't avoid the occasional glitch. After discovering a frustrating bug with the Google Camera app in Beta 2.1, we're happy to announce that it's now resolved with this week's release of Android 14 Beta 3.
Google's latest Camera update is tweaking zoom on the Pixel 7
It’s a minor change, but a welcome one
Google's latest update to its Camera app is bringing the required code needed to enable faster Night Sight on the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro as part of the March Feature Drop, but it's not just the 2021 Pixels that are getting some love in this new version. It appears that Google's newest flagships are also getting a revamped zoom UI in the most recent version of the Camera app.
Google Camera update makes it much harder to access Lens
You better get used to swiping to use Lens within the Pixel camera app
Google released a big camera update for its excellent phones, and while we already spotted a lot of new features coming both to older Pixels and the Google Pixel 7 Pro, there is one thing that you will only notice as you start using the newly updated app in everyday life. Camera version 8.7.250 removes the long-press shortcut to activate Lens, instead making it a shortcut to lock focus and exposure.
Pixel 7 Pro camera update rolls out an overhauled macro mode
Google Camera 8.7.250 makes macro photos more intuitive
The Google Pixel 7 Pro was released with a new ultra-wide camera that enables an automatic macro mode when you move your camera close enough to a subject. Sometimes, that’s not the behavior that you want, though, and switching between macro and regular mode is somewhat unintuitive. Google attempts to fix that with the latest update to the Google Camera, version 8.7.250, which is now rolling out to the Pixel 7 Pro.
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Google Camera 8.6 update throws fuel on the Pixel Fold fire
It also includes some Material You flourishes and other improvements
It's Pixel 6a release day, but Google isn't solely focused on its newest phone. The company's rolling out a fresh version of its camera app for Pixels, and it's one of the most substantial we've seen in ages. While it might seem like user-facing changes are few and far between, a handful of hints towards future Google hardware make this one of the most intriguing software updates in a long time.
Google Pixel cameras haven't been able to detect Frequent Faces for months now
The feature has been disabled 'temporarily'
Google loves introducing Pixel-exclusive camera features, like the Magic Eraser camouflage mode set to debut with the Pixel 6a, or the Real Tone support we got with the Pixel 6 last year. What we don't expect, though, is for that list to suddenly get shorter — yet that's just what's happening with Frequent Faces, which disappeared without a trace from Pixel phones earlier this year.
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For years, non-Pixel phones have been able to enjoy some of Google's camera magic, thanks to Google Camera ports/mods. Because a good part of the Pixel camera experience comes down to software, developers have figured out ways to bring parts of that experience to other devices. Among the root-and-ROM crowd, it's a popular practice that can let you enjoy Pixel camera features and enhanced processing on non-Pixel devices. Now a seemingly arbitrary restriction by OnePlus will keep Google Camera mods (and all third party camera apps) from accessing auxiliary cameras on the company's phones.
Google Camera update fixes issue that randomly changed QR code URLs on Android 12
Using arbitrary rules to add some random periods to URLs might not be such a great idea, Google
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QR codes have become a ubiquitous part of everyday life, whether you like them or not. But they can also pose a security risk, as you can’t see at a glance to which website they’re directing you. While scanner apps usually show which URL is hidden inside a QR code, the Google Camera app apparently went a step further and tried to autocorrect URLs it deems wrong, leading to more problems than solutions.
Latest Google Camera update brings Pixel 6 settings to older Pixel phones
Timer light, optional exposure controls, and a clearer settings shortcut are among the changes
The Google Pixel 6 and 6 Pro launched with plenty of exciting new camera features, and while not all of those will trickle down to older Pixel phones, some improvements to the Google Camera app usually do arrive at some point. That time appears to be now, as the latest version of the app brings a few little quality of life changes to the camera experience on Pixel 5 phones and earlier.
Google Camera gets a big update ahead of Pixel 6 release day
New toggles and Bluetooth mic support in-bound
The camera remains one of the Pixel series' biggest selling points, especially with those latest phones. Google usually delivers new features to its devices through updates on the Play Store, unbound from Android's own software fixes. With this latest patch, a long-awaited tweak is bound to make vloggers and aspiring TikTok stars happier than ever.
The Pixel 6 camera will try to magically unblur people's faces in your photos
Finally, a camera that can capture toddlers at their natural speed
Google loves to show off fancy new AI-powered features whenever it releases the latest generation of Pixel phones. From a bokeh blur that only needs one lens to a camera that can capture shots in near darkness, the company has always been all-in on AI. Now it's about to take another step forward with the upcoming Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro — and it might be time to say goodbye to blurry-faced photos.
The Pixel 5's camera is so good that I've ditched my mirrorless cam while traveling
Reliably excellent photos in any condition are all I need
A few years ago, the only camera in my pocket/bag was my phone. Starting with the LG G2 and going up to the G3, G4, Galaxy S7 Edge, then Pixel 2 XL, all that I could rely on was my phone and nothing else. I took good photos, great even, but I wanted to learn, improve, and capture better ones, so I bought a mirrorless Olympus cam with several lenses. It accompanied me on my trips to Nepal, the UAE, Spain, and Greece, and I loved using it. But as I was packing for my most recent trip to Belgium, I looked at my Olympus then at my Pixel 5 and made the rash decision to skip the former and rely solely on the latter. I never regretted it.
Android 12 Beta 3 Google Camera update adds Material You accents
Enjoy a little color with your camera
Android 12 Beta 3 is all about the Material You dynamic theming. Joining Pixel Launcher tweaks (among other items on our now mile-long list of items to write) is an updated Google Camera app that ships with this latest release. That's right, the Pixel's world-class photo experience is now augmented by tasteful accents while you're taking them, too.
Google Camera update brings astro timelapse to Pixels (APK Download)
Get more of the starry night sky
Google just dropped the latest Pixel Feature Drop and there's more stuff to check out than we expected. But if you're gung-ho about the camera — a good chance if you picked a Pixel over any other phone — then you'll be glad to learn that one of the announced features, animated astrophotography, is already making it to Pixels.
Your Pixel could soon take time-lapses of the Milky Way
The next fancy camera trick up Google's sleeve
If you're not the one to tinker with camera settings, Google's Pixel phones are your best bet to get breathtaking shots of starry nights. Taking a photo like the one above is as simple as placing the phone on a tripod and letting it do its thing for a few minutes. Pixels can't take astro time-lapses currently, but this could soon change with the next Pixel Drop.
Probably because of Google Pixel's inherent focus on the photography side of things, Google Camera doesn't offer as many features or controls when it comes to videos. However, that's slowly changing, and the Google Camera 8.2 update makes it easier than ever to shoot one.