Google's Photos app has just provided Android users with yet another reason to feel envious of iPhone users.

      A redesign of Google Photos that previously launched on iOS is now being implemented on Android with version 7.82.

      Google Photos for Android is finally receiving the streamlined bottom navigation bar that iPhone users have enjoyed since February. It's unusual for a Google app on its own Android platform to have such a delay, but here we are.

      This update replaces the old fixed navigation bar with a floating pill that sits above the bottom of the screen, ensuring it no longer obstructs any photos underneath. Additionally, it places the Gemini-powered Ask Photos feature alongside the main navigation.

      For users on Android, Google Photos should feel less congested. However, the delay makes what could have been a simple design enhancement seem clumsier than necessary for Google.

      The redesign primarily aims to free up screen space. With the navigation bar now floating rather than fixed at the bottom, photos are no longer hidden behind the interface during browsing.

      Google has also introduced a floating date pill that appears when scrolling through the Photos tab. Users who prefer to see dates displayed in the grid can enable the "Show dates in grid" option from the Photos view menu.

      The notable aspect here is the timing. Google rolled out this interface for the iPhone version of Google Photos back in February, leaving Android users waiting nearly five months for the same streamlined appearance.

      The new layout features Photos, Collections, and Create in the floating navigation area, while Ask Photos benefits from its own circular Gemini button on the right side.

      This adjustment allows Google's AI photo search to have a more prominent presence in the app. Ask Photos can utilize natural language to search the library and locate images based on user descriptions. The Create option also positions Google's AI editing tools close to the main navigation section.

      While the neater interface improves usability, the most prominent button in this new layout encourages users to engage with Gemini. Google Photos now appears less cluttered and feels more oriented toward Google's AI initiatives.

      To verify if the update has arrived, Android users should check for Google Photos version 7.82, although the redesign is rolling out through a server-side update, so the version alone may not immediately trigger the floating bar’s appearance.

      A quick way to check is to open the app info page for Google Photos on Android and scroll to the bottom to see the installed version. If version 7.82 is already installed but the redesign isn't visible, force-stopping the app and reopening it later may activate the new layout.

      This update is still relatively minor and does not completely overhaul Google Photos. However, given that the iPhone version of this Google app has already adopted the new interface, Android users have good reason to check if their app has finally caught up.