First Look at Google Photos’ New Customizable Collections Tab

What is the new Collections tab?

Google Photos has rolled out a refreshed Collections tab that gives users direct control over how their albums and folders appear. The feature lets you move items up or down, hide those you rarely use, and create a layout that matches your personal workflow. It replaces the static grid that previously forced every collection to sit in alphabetical order.

How to reorder folders in Collections

Reordering works with a simple drag and drop gesture. When you tap the three‑dot menu on a collection, an option labeled “Move” appears. Selecting it activates a handle that you can drag to the desired position. The change is saved instantly and syncs across all devices linked to the same Google account.

Step by step guide for Android users

Open the Google Photos app and navigate to the Collections tab.
Tap the three‑dot menu next to the folder you want to move.
Choose Move from the menu.
Drag the folder to its new spot and release.
The new order is reflected immediately.

Step by step guide for iOS users

Launch Google Photos and go to Collections.
Press and hold the collection thumbnail until a reorder icon appears.
Drag the thumbnail to the desired location.
Lift your finger to set the new position.
The arrangement updates across your iPhone, iPad, and other synced devices.

Hiding folders for a cleaner view

If you prefer a minimal interface, you can hide folders that are not part of your daily workflow. Hidden collections do not disappear; they remain searchable and can be restored at any time.

Tap the three‑dot menu on the folder you want to hide.
Select Hide. The folder fades from the main grid.
To view hidden items, open the menu at the top of the Collections screen and choose Show hidden.

This approach is especially useful for seasonal albums, travel logs, or projects that you only need to access occasionally.

Benefits of a personalized Collections layout

Custom ordering and hiding give you several practical advantages:

Faster access to frequently used albums.
Reduced visual clutter improves focus when browsing.
Consistent experience across Android, iOS, and web versions.
Better alignment with personal or professional workflows.

Google’s own support page notes that these changes are designed to “help users find what matters most, faster” Google Photos Help Center.

Tips for maintaining an organized photo library

While the new Collections tab offers powerful tools, a few best practices keep your library tidy over time:

Review your albums quarterly and hide or delete those that are no longer relevant.
Use descriptive names that reflect the content, such as “2024 Family Vacation” instead of generic titles.
Leverage Google’s automatic grouping features, like “People” and “Places”, to reduce manual effort.
Regularly back up your photos to an external drive for added security.

According to a recent article on The Verge, users who adopt these habits report a noticeable drop in time spent searching for images.

How the update fits into Google’s broader photo strategy

Google has been positioning Photos as a central hub for personal media, integrating AI‑driven search, shared albums, and seamless backup. The customizable Collections tab aligns with that vision by giving users more agency over how their content is displayed.

In a blog post, Google’s product team explained that the feature “empowers people to curate their visual stories in a way that feels natural to them” Google Blog. The move reflects a broader trend toward user‑centric design across Google’s suite of apps.

For enterprises that rely on Google Photos for brand assets, the ability to hide internal drafts while keeping client‑approved images front and center can streamline approval workflows.

What to expect next

Google has hinted at further refinements, such as the ability to create nested collections and apply custom cover images. Early adopters can enable these features through the app’s Settings menu under “Collections layout”.

As the platform evolves, keeping an eye on official updates will ensure you make the most of each new capability.