Google Photos Adds New Video Editor With Templates Like CapCut

Google Photos has refreshed its built-in video editor to simplify mobile video creation. The update introduces a single editing timeline, a streamlined interface, and an easier path to add music to clips.

Unified timeline and streamlined editing

The new editor centers on a single timeline where you can trim and rearrange clips. The design mirrors widely used mobile editing apps, helping beginners create clips with fewer steps while keeping power users productive.

Templates with animation, music, and text

The headline change is the addition of themed templates that include animated visuals, built-in music, and text overlays. Instead of automatically stitching selected photos and videos into a basic movie, Google Photos now lets you apply templates that automatically sync with your media's timing.

Right now, these templates and the ability to insert your own text work on Android devices. Google plans to roll out the features to other platforms gradually in the coming weeks and months.

In April, Instagram released its own video editing app, a move that echoes CapCut-style editing trends. Google Photos has also introduced year-end summaries with selfie-focused features and editing tools in recent updates.

Expert comment: Industry observers say the update lowers the barrier to creating polished videos for casual users. The templates and text overlays simplify editing without needing a separate app.

Availability and how to get it

The revised video editor is available to users now. If you don't see the new features yet, update Google Photos to the latest version on Android; iOS users may see the changes later as Google completes phased rollouts.

Summary

Google Photos updates its video editor with a unified timeline, templates with animation and music, and text overlays—initially on Android. The changes aim to simplify quick video creation and bring CapCut-like features into Google’s ecosystem. A phased rollout means iOS users may gain access later this year.

Key insight: A mobile-friendly video editor with templates and automatic synchronization makes it easier to produce professional clips directly in Google Photos.