Google Photos Now Lets Android Users Create Custom Stickers with AI

Google Photos has rolled out a new feature to Android users allowing them to create custom stickers from their photos using artificial intelligence. This functionality, previously available to iPhone users for several months, utilizes AI to automatically identify and isolate subjects within images, making sticker creation quick and easy.

How the Sticker Creation Works

When you open a compatible photo in Google Photos on Android, the AI will highlight the main subject with a subtle shimmer. Simply tap the shimmering subject, and the AI will separate it from the background. The cutout is generally clean, even with complex details like fur or hair. The resulting stickers are saved as PNGs with transparent backgrounds, ensuring seamless integration into messaging apps.

Using Your Custom Stickers

Once created, these custom stickers can be readily used in popular messaging applications such as WhatsApp, Telegram, and Google Messages. After copying the sticker, users can access them through Gboard by tapping the sticker icon.

Limitations of the AI

While the AI is effective, it isn’t flawless. Currently, there’s no option to manually refine the AI’s selection by brushing in or erasing parts of the image. The feature also requires sufficient image quality and clarity; if a photo is too crowded or lacks adequate lighting, the AI may not confidently isolate a subject and the shimmer won’t appear.

Google Photos: Evolving Beyond Backup

This update marks a shift in perception of Google Photos, moving it beyond a simple backup tool to a more versatile photo editor. The ease of turning any photo into a sticker in seconds, without needing to switch applications, fosters creativity and enhances the user experience. This type of AI integration feels genuinely useful, offering a more tangible benefit than purely generative AI features.

As reported by Android Central, this feature adds a personal and fun element to using Android, making photo galleries more lively and expressive.

Recent Advances in Photo Sharing

This feature release comes alongside broader improvements in photo sharing between platforms. Laptop Mag reports that Apple and Google have collaborated to allow direct photo library transfers between iCloud and Google Photos, simplifying the process for users switching between iOS and Android.