Google Photos grid viewSource: Ara Wagoner / Android Central

What you need to know

  • Tagging is available on any photo that Google's algorithm recognizes a face or animal.
  • The face in the photo can be a previously cataloged person or a new face to add.
  • As with most Google features, this is rolling out in stages.

The ability to manually tag a person in Google Photos has been a long-requested feature, and it seems that we are finally being heard. Android Police reported last week that the ability to tag a person in Google Photos was available in the code for app version 4.32, and for some folks, it's available now. I happen to have the feature live on my Pixel 4 XL, and it works well.

To check if you have the option on your device, simply open a photo and either pull up from the bottom of the photo or click the three dots in the upper right. If in the panel that opens up has a pencil — congrats, you can manually tag photos. You simply need to tap the pencil and viola, you can now add a person or animal tag to the photo that wasn't there before. There is a caveat to this feature, though. If you have a photo that doesn't have a person or animal that Google's algorithm recognizes, then you won't be able to tag it.

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Google Photos image overflow Google Photos image overflow edit Google Photos image overflow edit add tagsSource: Chris Wedel/Android Central

This is a very welcome addition to an already great app which Google has been giving some significant updates to lately. I for one will be using this option for the blurry photo situations of my kids that don't quite look like they should for Google to find the face.

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