Google Photos is continuing its evolution as an AI-enhanced creativity platform with an upcoming upgrade to its popular “Photo to Video” feature. Originally designed to transform still images into dynamic video clips, this tool recently received a major performance boost with the Veo 3 video generation model. Now, new leaks suggest that Google is taking things one step further by adding prompt-based video creation, allowing users to describe exactly what they want their generated videos to look like.
New Prompt Box Discovered in Google Photos
The latest discovery, made by Android Authority while analyzing version 6.48 of the Google Photos app, revealed a prompt box interface tied to the “Photo to Video” feature. While the feature isn’t fully functional yet, its presence indicates that Google may be testing a text-based generation flow, enabling users to customize video outputs more precisely through written descriptions.
Currently, the tool includes only two AI effects:
– Subtle Movements – adds light motion effects to still shots for a natural look.
– I’m Feeling Lucky – automatically applies random cinematic effects for creative video generation.
Both options rely on pre-set effects, giving users minimal control. The introduction of prompts could change this entirely, allowing for deeper creativity and personalization — similar to AI tools like Runway, Pika Labs, or OpenAI’s Sora.
How the Upcoming AI Prompt Feature Could Work
Although details are limited, the prompt system will likely let users type short descriptions such as “make this photo look like a cinematic sunset scene” or “create a time-lapse style video of these mountains.” Google’s powerful Veo 3 model could then generate short AI-powered videos based on these text prompts.
This additional flexibility could make Photo to Video one of Google Photos’ most engaging AI features, blending creativity, automation, and personalization.
Limited Access and Availability
At the moment, Photo to Video and Remix — another AI creative tool within Google Photos — are exclusive to users in the United States. Google offers a limited number of AI generations for free each day, but those with Google AI Pro or Ultra subscriptions enjoy expanded usage limits. However, Google has yet to reveal specific generation caps for either plan.
Given the company’s broader push to integrate artificial intelligence across its ecosystem, it wouldn’t be surprising if this feature eventually reaches global users or becomes part of the next Google Photos AI expansion rollout.
What This Means for Users
The addition of a prompt-based customization tool could completely redefine how users interact with their photos, transforming static memories into vivid, AI-created storytelling moments. It also positions Google Photos as more than just a photo management app — evolving it into a full-fledged AI creativity platform.
As Google continues to blend generative AI into its ecosystem, this feature could inspire even casual users to experiment with photo-based video creation, encouraging broader adoption of paid AI tiers in the process.
