Google Photos finally lets you clean up your cluttered Collections tab. Here's how

Google Photos has finally introduced significant upgrades to its Collections tab, making it easier for users to manage and organize their photos. The redesigned layout, part of version 7.97 update released on October 27, 2026, is a welcome change after years of stagnant design. Instead of the traditional, rigid template, the new view offers a more customizable and visually appealing experience with a Pinned row at the top, which users can tailor to their preferences.

This row can feature albums, places, people, pets, or even documents, providing a flexible way to highlight specific collections. Unlike the previous version, the Pinned section is sticky and comes with its own controls. Users can reorder these rows freely, except for the Pinned row, adding a level of personalization that was missing before.

Customization extends beyond the Pinned row, allowing users to move device collections and other categories around as needed. For instance, adding places to the pinned section and categorizing them by city is a neat feature that Google Photos automatically handles. Users can pin as many locations as they want, similar to how they might highlight stories on apps like Instagram or Facebook.

Additionally, the ability to mix people, pets, and standard photo albums into the same Pinned section adds another layer of versatility. Rearranging these cards or removing and unpinning them is straightforward, and users can hide sections entirely by unchecking their names at the bottom of the tab. Despite these enhancements, the overall process feels fluid and responsive, with quick thumbnail loading and no lag when navigating through folders and sections.