In April 2026, Google confirmed that video playback speed control in Google Photos for Android — one of the most requested features in the community — is finally coming out of beta. The problem is that YouTube, which also belongs to Google, has had this capability for over a decade.
What exactly appeared
Android users received five speed options: 0.25×, 0.5×, 1×, 1.5× and 2×. Access is through the three-dot menu while watching a video → Playback speed → confirmation with a checkmark. The update is server-side: no need to download a new APK version, but the rollout is gradual — some users still don't see the feature.
At the same time, Google added an AI Enhance button for photos — with one tap it balances light and colors. According to publications' observations, AI Enhance reaches users faster than speed control: the latter is still in the early deployment phase.
Context that Google doesn't emphasize
"Video playback features have always lagged behind. Apps like YouTube, which is also owned by Google, have offered playback speed controls for years"
Android Central
Google Photos has long evolved from a gallery into a full-fledged media hub with cloud storage, AI editing and search. However, basic video viewing tools lagged behind: speed control when editing video appeared in 2024, when viewing — only now. For people who store lectures, weddings, or vlogs in Photos, this meant either opening VLC or enduring it.
Who's still waiting
- iOS: timelines are not confirmed. Google hasn't even named an estimated window.
- Web version: similarly — no date and no announcement.
- Android: rollout is gradual; if the feature hasn't appeared — it's worth closing and restarting the app.
It's noteworthy that Google describes this feature as a response to community requests, but doesn't explain why it didn't appear immediately across all platforms — if demand had been obvious for a long time.
The question is not whether the feature will appear on iOS — almost certainly it will. The question is how many more "long-awaited basic features" Google will dole out in portions between platforms, while competitors like Apple Photos scale capabilities synchronously across all devices.
