In a move that acknowledges user preferences for more traditional tools, Google has introduced a new toggle in its Google Photos app. This option allows users to switch back to the original "classic" search, which many find faster, instead of using the newer AI-driven feature called "Ask Photos."

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The Ask Photos feature, which debuted in the U.S. in 2024, enables searching through photos using natural language, even for complex requests. Its rollout was temporarily halted last summer as Google worked to resolve latency issues raised by users. Some Google Photos users never fully embraced the AI experience, reporting that Ask Photos sometimes missed relevant photos and that search accuracy had declined.

While an option to disable Gemini in Google Photos already existed, it was tucked away in settings and frequently went unnoticed. Google now promises a simpler and more prominent way to choose between the two search modes. A new toggle button on the search screen will let users turn off the Ask Photos AI search and view classic results instead. However, Google noted it will still prioritize showing the results that best match the query.

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In an announcement shared by Google Photos lead Shimrit Ben-Yair, the company indicated this change was a direct response to user criticisms of Ask Photos. In a post on X, Ben-Yair wrote, “We’ve heard your feedback that you want more control over the type of results you see when searching in Google Photos.”

She also mentioned that Google has enhanced the quality of some of the most common searches based on user input. “We know search in Photos is one of the most loved and used features and we’re committed to getting this experience right, so please keep the feedback coming. It helps us build a more magical experience for everyone,” she added.