Google Photos Ultra HDR editing is finally live for some users

Google Photos Ultra HDR editing is finally going live. This is according to Telegram user @greyishere tipped off Android Authority contributor Assemble Debug.

There were reports about the feature dating back to September last year, but it didn’t actually do anything at the time. Now, some users are reporting that the Ultra HDR toggle has started showing up in the Google Photos app (version 7.24.0.747539053). But don’t panic if you can’t find the new feature—it’s a server-side rollout, meaning Google has to flip the switch on their end.

Here’s what the feature does: it upgrades your standard photos to match the Ultra HDR format Google introduced with Android 14. That format combines both SDR and HDR data in a single file, so images still display fine on older, non-HDR devices—but absolutely pop on screens that support it.

When the feature rolls out to your device, you’ll find the option under the “Adjust” section of the Google Photos editor. It replaces the old “HDR Effect” toggle and includes a slider so you can fine-tune how strong the effect looks. Converted photos will be tagged with “Ultra HDR” in the image details, and their file size will usually be smaller too, thanks to something called a “gain map.” This gain map contains luminosity data that enhances the dynamic range without taking up much space.

If you’re curious what all that actually looks like, this GitHub page has some sample images you can check out. The difference is especially noticeable on phones with HDR-capable displays.