Google Photos takes surprising u-turn with 'Collections' tab, brings back old ‘Library’ tab with latest update

Update 28/07/24 1:14 pm (IST): It looks like the switch back to the ‘Library’ tab was short-lived. The latest Google Photos v6.97 has restored the new ‘Collections’ tab. I was able to confirm the change on a Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro.

Original article published on August 27, 2024, follows:

Google has seemingly rolled back its recent major overhaul of the Google Photos app. Just weeks after introducing the new ‘Collections’ tab, which replaced the familiar ‘Library’ tab, the tech giant seems to be reverting to the previous design.

I can confirm that the old UI with the Library tab is back on our Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro units. This unexpected change has left some users who spotted the revert pleasantly surprised, with some expressing relief at the return of the more familiar interface.

The ‘Collections’ tab, introduced earlier this month, was Google’s attempt to help users find content faster by putting frequently used items at their fingertips. However, it seems the change wasn’t as well-received as Google might have hoped.

That said, it’s still not clear whether this revert is intended or a bug that resulted in Google Photos switching back to the old layout. Whatever the case, as the update hits more devices, we are likely to see more reports from users. Speaking of which, the Google Photos update in question here seems to be v6.96. For reference, the Collections tab went live with Google Photos v6.63. With this new version installed on our devices, we see the old UI with the Library tab. Here’s a screenshot that you can refer to:

The sudden reversion has caught some off guard, including Redditor ikanotheokara, who was in the process of reporting an issue with the ‘Collections’ tab when the change occurred: “I was just about to make a post about how the ‘Videos’ collection was completely broken for me, but while I was preparing a video to illustrate the problem, I got reverted back to the old design. Progress?”

While Google hasn’t officially commented on the reasons behind this sudden change, it’s possible that user feedback played a role in the decision. The ‘Collections’ tab, while innovative, seemed to complicate access to local device photos and albums for many users.

Again, it’s unclear whether this is a permanent reversal or a temporary measure while Google refines the ‘Collections’ concept. For now, users who prefer the classic ‘Library’ tab can breathe a sigh of relief. If you haven’t seen the change yet, keep an eye out for updates to your Google Photos app in the coming days. We’ll post an update if and when there’s any further information to share.