Google preps Photos overnight backup, Snapseed LUT imports, Gemini screenshot memory; Maps bug hits Android Automotive

For Google Photos, Android Authority uncovered an upcoming 'Overnight backup' feature designed to work around Android's background limits, such as Doze mode. The mode would require the app to remain open in the foreground, the phone to be plugged into a charger, and the device to be left unlocked, while the app dims the screen to black. The reporting also found warnings for when the device gets too hot, plus toggles to choose Wi-Fi or mobile data for backup.

In Google Photos v7.89, a new Redact tool was enabled manually ahead of release. It sits in the Markup section next to Pen, Highlighter, and Text, and offers three redaction styles: Mosaic, Mosaic Light, and a noise-based Blur. A previous version of the feature crashed on tap, but the current preview is functional, although Google has not announced a public rollout.

The AI-powered Ask Photos search in Google Photos is also expected to gain a map view. Android Authority enabled a new 'Map' option next to 'Ask Photos' in v7.89.0.966319819. It displays search results on a map based on their geolocation data, with clusters showing how many photos or videos were taken at each location. Users can zoom in, tap a cluster to expand it, or use a refresh icon to reset the zoom. Google Photos already offers a map view in its Collections tab, and Apple Photos has a similar feature.

Snapseed, Google's photo editor, is preparing to support importing custom .cube LUT files on Android, according to Android Authority's teardown of Snapseed v4.1.4. The tool would let users apply universal color-grading presets to adjust tones, contrast, and hues, with options to configure color space and gamma. The app is also working on bringing the Motion Blur tool from iOS to Android, though the Android build is still unfinished and tapping some buttons crashes the app. No launch date has been announced.

In Google's Gemini app, version 1.0.95, code reveals a 'Remember this with Gemini' shortcut likely coming to the Android system share sheet. Selecting it would pre-fill an '@Remember this image' prompt, allowing Gemini to extract key details from a photo and save them to its contextual memory. Android Authority enabled a functional demo that logged flight information from a boarding pass and recalled it later.

Separately, Android Automotive users have been reporting a Google Maps bug that causes navigation to reroute endlessly. A Polestar 2 owner on Reddit described the issue, and other Polestar owners confirmed it; a Honda owner also said they had a similar experience. The users ruled out GPS error, and the original poster said the problem started after updating to Gemini. One commenter said clearing cache and deleting memory data resolved it. Android Authority has contacted Google for comment.

Android Authority also asked readers whether Google Photos needs better cleanup tools after one editor reclaimed about 23GB from more than 47,000 backed-up items. The publication said readers overwhelmingly asked for simpler cleanup options, especially a duplicate-photo finder. In its weekly Wallpaper Wednesday post, Android Authority shared six images from its staff and readers, with submissions still open; the publication said it will not accept purely AI-generated images.