Google Photos is developing a Group Camera feature that would let friends and family contribute photos and videos to a shared album, according to strings found in version 7.97 of the app. The feature remains in development with no confirmed release date.

How the Group Camera would work

The feature centers on a shared shooting session. Users would be able to schedule camera access for a set window, invite participants to join, and then capture media through a dedicated camera interface built into Google Photos. That structure suggests Google is aiming at events where multiple people want their shots collected in one place rather than scattered across separate devices and accounts.

Where the discovery came from

The strings were spotted in Google Photos 7.97. The credit for the find goes to Edgar Cervantes of Android Authority. Because the code is still being built out, the exact behavior of scheduling, invitations, and the camera interface may change before any public rollout.

Why Google is building this

Google has been steadily adding capabilities to Google Photos, ranging from editing tools to new ways to organize and share memories. The app recently added a quick edit button for videos, and Android Authority also recently reported that the 2026 Google Photos Recap could let users replace or remove individual photos. A Group Camera fits that pattern: shared albums already exist, but capturing new media directly into a shared space with controlled access is a different problem.

What it means for users

For readers who manage family events, trips, or gatherings, a Group Camera could reduce the usual back-and-forth of requesting photos from everyone afterward. Scheduling camera access also implies a privacy control, letting hosts limit when participants can shoot into the shared album rather than leaving access open indefinitely.

What to watch

No release date has been confirmed. The next signals to watch are whether the strings appear in a wider beta, whether Google publishes support documentation, and whether the scheduled access and invitation mechanics survive testing intact. Until then, the feature is unannounced and subject to change.