Google today announced a major update to the Google Photos app, upgrading its photo-to-video feature with the company’s latest Veo 3 AI video generation model.
Just a month after photos introduced the ability to convert still images into short clips, the feature is now powered by Veo 3 instead of Veo 2, promising sharper, smoother, and more lifelike results.
Introducing the New Create Tab
Alongside the Veo 3 upgrade, Google Photos is also rolling out a brand-new Create tab at the bottom of the app, joining Photos, Collection, and Search. This section is now the central hub for all creative tools inside Google Photos.
To try out the photo-to-video feature:
- Head to the Create tab.
- Select the photo you want to animate.
- Choose between two prompts: “Subtle movement” for realistic effects or “I’m feeling lucky” for fun, unpredictable animations.
Google Photos then uses Veo 3 to generate a six-second clip. You can save the video or share it directly from the app. Google notes that free users get a limited number of daily generations, while AI Pro and Ultra subscribers enjoy higher limits.
The Create tab goes beyond video generation. It also introduces:
- Remix: Transform your photos into anime, comic, sketch, or even 3D animation styles.
- Highlight videos: Auto-create short reels from your photos and clips.
- Collages and animations: Quick ways to bring groups of photos together.
While Google Photos now offers six-second animations powered by Veo 3, they remain silent clips. By comparison, the Gemini app lets Pro and Ultra subscribers generate eight-second clips with audio.
With the arrival of Veo 3 and the new Create tab, Google Photos is evolving from a basic storage app into a full-fledged creative space.
