How to find and use collages and memories created in Google Photos

Last update: 9 May 2025
  • Google Photos automatically generates collages, animations, and memories using artificial intelligence, and you can easily find them from the "Search" tab.
  • Customization and editing tools allow you to modify, share, or delete any creation, optimizing your experience and cloud space.
  • Google Photos storage has limits, so it's important to review and manage your automatic creations to avoid taking up unnecessary space.

Collages and memories on Google Photos

Google Photos is one of the most relevant and comprehensive applications for managing, organizing, and editing photos and videos. Over time, its popularity has grown exponentially thanks to its ability to store large amounts of content in the cloud, offer intelligent search capabilities, and, above all, its automatic memory and collage creation features that effortlessly enhance the user's visual experience.

However, despite its power, many users are unaware of its full potential, especially when it comes to finding and using collages, animations, and memories automatically generated by the app . In this article, you'll discover, step by step and with all the latest tips and tricks, how to easily access these creations, personalize them, and get the most out of them. You'll also learn how to improve your organization, free up space, and use the system's artificial intelligence to help you find any memory, event, or special moment in seconds.

Discovering Google Photos' automatic creations

Memories created in Google Photos

Thanks to the use of advanced artificial intelligence and image recognition algorithms, Google Photos is able to analyze your library to generate automatic creations . These creations include:

  • Collages: compositions that bring together several relevant images of the same event, day or theme.
  • Animations: short sequences that join similar photos (for example, a burst) to give them movement.
  • Compilation videos and short films: Mini clips that combine selected photos and videos, adding music and automatic transitions.
  • Cinematic or 3D photos: images to which a depth and movement effect is applied, giving them realism and dynamism.

These features are available in both the mobile app (Android and iOS) and the web version, and are one of the key elements that differentiate Google Photos from other cloud storage applications. As you upload more content and spend more time using the service, the app improves its ability to select and personalize memories , grouping moments by location, date, recognized people, theme, and other smart criteria.

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How to easily find your collages and memories in Google Photos

Where to find collages and memories on Google Photos

With the exponential increase in images and videos, locating an automatically generated image among thousands of files can seem complicated, but Google Photos makes it easy. The "Search" tab at the bottom of the main screen has become an essential and powerful tool for filtering and finding any item.

  1. Access to automatic creations: When you open the "Search" tab, you'll find a section called "Creations." When you click on it, you'll see all your creations generated by Google arranged chronologically. These include collages, animations, films, cinematic photos, and other montages.
  2. Filtered by content type: Each creation type is identified by a specific icon (three squares for collages, stars for animations, and a clapperboard for movies). You can directly select the content type, making it easier to find the collages or animations you want to share or edit.
  3. Search by dates, places, people or topics: In addition to direct access to creations, you can use the search bar to enter keywords (e.g., "vacation," "birthday," "beach") or the name of a person you recognize in the photos. The app's artificial intelligence will suggest results based on metadata matches, locations, objects, or settings in the images.
  4. Explore memories at the top of the gallery: When you open the app, they'll appear in "stories" format (similar to Instagram), highlighting past events with the ability to view more details and quickly access all the files from that day or period.

Thanks to these tools, finding any automatically generated collage, animation, or video takes only seconds , without wasting time endlessly scrolling through the photo timeline.

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New features and display options for memories and collages

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Google Photos is constantly evolving and, in recent years, has added notable improvements to the memories and collages section :

  • Story-style visualizationMemories are displayed in a format similar to social media stories, scrolling horizontally across the top of the app. This makes them easy to consume on a daily basis and encourages users to review them regularly.
  • Integration of videos and dynamic effectsMemories can now include video clips, zoomed-in images, background music, smooth transitions, and suggested titles, giving your creations a more emotional and professional feel.
  • Collages at the end of memoriesOne of the newest features is the automatic generation of collages that compile the most memorable photos from a series of memories. When you finish viewing a memory, Google Photos can show you a simple but effective visual collage of the best selected images.
  • Smart themes and a variety of souvenirsThe system not only groups memories by date, but also by automatically recognized themes, such as beaches, trips, family reunions, nature, selfies, spectacular skies, sporting events, pets, and many others. This allows you to relive special moments from a new perspective, even if they may have gone unnoticed at the time.
  • Access to all photos from a specific dayIf a memory only suggests a portion of what happened on a given day, you can go to the memory's three-dot menu and select "see all photos from that day" to explore beyond what the AI ​​chooses to show you.

This thematic segmentation and advanced filtering bring your photo library to life, helping you relive trips, dinners, celebrations, and any important event in seconds.

Customize and edit your memories in Google Photos

Edit and share memories in Google Photos

While Google Photos generally does a great job selecting the best images, you'll often want to personalize your memories to enhance the experience . For this, you can consult our guide on how to create a video in Google Photos in just a few steps and take full advantage of the editing and customization features.

Access, save, and share all automatic creations

Google Photos gives you full access to all your creations, whether automatic or manual, at any time. To do this:

  • Search > Creations tab: Here you'll find collages, animations, cinematic photos, and movies, all organized by category and date.
  • Management options: You can tap on any creation to share it via WhatsApp, email, or social media, or even generate a visually optimized link. You can also add it to your own album, move it to another folder, or delete it to free up storage if you prefer.
  • Later edition: Most creations can be edited after they've been generated: adjust brightness, contrast, color, or apply filters without losing the original version.
  • Cross-platform sync: Everything you create and edit in Google Photos is available on both the mobile app and the web, making it easy to manage from anywhere.

Furthermore, with the latest improvements, it's now possible to have more space in Google Photos without paying and share complete memories in a single click, ideal for events and trips.

The new collage editor and advanced creation tools

Collage editor in Google Photos

Google Photos has taken a leap forward with its new collage editor . Now, creating these visual compositions is easier and more professional thanks to the following new features:

  • Simple selection and reorganization: Simply select the photos you want to include in the collage and drag them to reorder them as you prefer, visually and intuitively.
  • Wide variety of templates: Numerous templates have been added, some designed by renowned artists. Pixel device users and Google One members have access to over 30 exclusive designs and premium options.
  • Built-in editing tools: Adjust brightness, contrast, color, apply HDR effects, Portrait Light, or add artistic filters, all without leaving the editor.
  • Easily share: Collages can be saved to the cloud, shared as images, or added directly to your memories or themed albums.

Google Photos storage management: optimize your space

How to free up space on Google Photos

Since Google Photos stopped offering unlimited free storage, it's essential to manage what you save and what you delete . Automatic creations (collages, animations, videos, etc.) also count towards your available space, so we recommend checking out our tips on how to free up memory on your smartphone using Google Photos to keep your storage optimized.

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Extra tips and tricks to get the most out of Google Photos

Apps for making photo collages

  • Disable geolocation when sharing: Protect your privacy by setting your location to be removed from photos before sending them to others.
  • Advanced keyword search: Use Google's artificial intelligence to search for photos with terms like "dinner," "pet," "graduation," or even emojis.
  • Add descriptions to images: Captions help you find specific photos faster and provide context when sharing albums.
  • Search by location and date: If you don't remember when you took a photo, but you do remember where, type the city or location into the search bar, and Google will categorize your images by location using GPS tags and visual recognition.
  • Quick jump to specific events: In Memories, go to the menu and select "View all photos from that day" to explore all the photos taken on a specific date, beyond those selected by the AI.
  • Check out suggestions for new creations: When you upload multiple photos at once, Google Photos often suggests creating collages, animations, or themed albums; accept these so the app can continue generating relevant content automatically.
  • Edit videos with AI: In addition to photos, Google Photos includes AI-powered tools for editing videos, applying effects, trimming clips, and adding automatic transitions.

Staying up to date with the latest Google Photos updates and regularly reviewing the app's various sections ensures you always have control over your most precious memories and available cloud storage.

Other alternatives for creating collages: complementary apps

While Google Photos covers most standard user needs, there are specialized apps for creating custom collages and albums . Some expert-recommended suggestions include:

  • Image editing apps for Android: Many third-party apps complement Google Photos' tools, offering more templates, stickers, text fonts, and artistic effects.
  • Quick export: You can download any creation from Google Photos and edit it later in other, more advanced apps for even more personalized results.
  • Integration with social networks: Several apps allow you to export collages directly to Instagram, Facebook, or WhatsApp with formats tailored to each platform.

And if you're looking for a more professional finish or creative presentations, these alternatives can give you the perfect finishing touch before sharing your memories online.

With all these features, tricks, and new features, Google Photos is cementing itself as the epicenter for managing, editing, and enjoying your digital memories. Mastering its tools will allow you to relive your best moments with greater clarity, find any image you need in seconds, and share your creations quickly, securely, and in a personalized way with anyone, anywhere, anytime.