Google Messages redesigns gallery + camera, adds ‘Original quality’ sending [U]

Google Messages has redesigned the UI for taking and sending pictures that permanently merges a live camera viewfinder with your gallery. As part of this, Google is also rolling out the ability to send pictures and videos in “Original quality.”

Update 2/22/25: In recent weeks, more Google Messages beta (currently 20250218_01_RC00) users are seeing the gallery and camera redesign. It’s not yet widely rolled out in the stable channel.

Original 11/21/24: At the moment, tapping the Gallery icon next to the text field slides up a miniature camera viewfinder, “Folders” access, and shows about four recent images. 

In the future, Google Messages will open a new fullscreen UI upon tapping that Gallery button. A camera viewfinder takes up most of the screen. This is the existing interface with face filters, and Photo and Video mode switchers at the bottom.

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Underneath that is an always-present sheet with your gallery that shows three images in full. You can slide up to see a full grid, while “Folders” takes you to the system photo picker.

Google is making some interesting choices here. Replacing the existing image picker, which is more compact and keeps you in the conversation, for a fullscreen UI feels cumbersome. Merging the camera viewfinder with your gallery is also a curious decision.

Meanwhile, after taking a new photo or selecting an existing one, you’re brought to a new preview screen, which still shows the gallery sheet at the bottom. This UI notes who you’re sending the image to at the top and lets you “Write a caption.” Google tested something similar back in March.

From the top-right corner, you can access a “Media quality” sheet: 

• Optimize for chat: Send quality media faster, uses less data
• Original quality: Sends at full resolution

The latter is marked by an “HD+” icon. Once this is rolled out, Google will remove the “Send photos faster” on/off toggle in Settings.

We’ve received a handful of reports this week about this new merged camera and gallery in the latest Google Messages beta (20241118_03_RC00). It’s not yet widely rolled out.

More on Google Messages:

Thanks Parker, Bridger