Trending Now - Google Photos Introduces Quick Touch-up Features for Selfies

WHO:

TechCrunch - Google Photos is the organization introducing new touch-up tools.

9to5Google - Google is the company behind the Google Photos app.

WHAT:

TechCrunch - Google Photos has added new tools to remove blemishes, refine skin texture, brighten eyes, and whiten teeth in photos.

9to5Google - The new touch-up tools allow users to make “subtle enhancements” to selfies or photos of friends, including options to smooth skin texture, remove blemishes, brighten eyes, and whiten teeth.

9to5Google - Users can select a face in an image and choose from tools like heal, smooth, under eyes, irises, teeth, eyebrows, or lips, with each effect having an intensity slider.

WHERE:

9to5Google - The update is rolling out to global users of the Google Photos app.

WHEN:

TechCrunch - The new touch-up tools are being gradually rolled out starting on April 20th, 2026.

9to5Google - The announcement regarding the new tools was made on April 20th, 2026.

9to5Google - The update is gradually rolling out and requires a device running Android 9.0 and with at least 4GB of RAM.

WHY:

9to5Google - The introduction of these tools comes at a time when parents are frustrated over the impact of social media on their teenage children.

9to5Google - Google is attempting to downplay potential harms associated with retouching, particularly in the fashion and modeling industries.

HOW:

The Verge - Users can access the new tools by selecting a specific face in a photo and can adjust the intensity of effects to ensure they are subtle.

9to5Google - Users can access the new touch-up tools by selecting a face in a captured image and then choosing from the tools list.

(UPDATED April 21, 2026 04:04 UTC)

The new touch-up tools have begun rolling out as of on Monday. Users can enhance their photos by selecting a specific face and adjusting the intensity of effects to achieve a subtle look. This gradual rollout aims to provide a more refined editing experience for users.

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(UPDATED April 20, 2026 23:19 UTC)

Google Photos has introduced new touch-up tools that allow users to enhance their selfies and photos of friends by removing blemishes, refining skin texture, brightening eyes, and whitening teeth. The update, which is gradually rolling out to global users of the Google Photos app, requires a device running Android 9.0 or higher with at least 4GB of RAM. This announcement comes as parents express concerns about the effects of social media on teenagers, prompting Google to address potential harms associated with photo retouching in the fashion and modeling industries.