Google Photos Now Converts Your Images to Ultra HDR

Google Photos Enhances Images with Ultra HDR Capability

Google Photos is rolling out a new feature that allows users to convert their standard photos into Ultra HDR images. This enhancement captures a wider range of brightness levels, resulting in photos with greater detail and an expanded color spectrum. While not yet available to all users, the feature has begun appearing for select individuals.

Understanding Ultra HDR

Ultra HDR, or High Dynamic Range, photography significantly improves image quality by capturing more information about brightness and color. To fully appreciate the effects of Ultra HDR, viewing the images on an HDR-compatible display is necessary. Many modern smartphones, including the Google Pixel 9a, Samsung Galaxy S25, and OnePlus 13R, are equipped with such displays, allowing users to experience the upgraded visuals directly on their devices. Even without an HDR screen, users can still convert their photos and view the enhanced results on a compatible display later.

Accessing the Feature

To check for the Ultra HDR feature, users should ensure their Google Photos app is updated to version 7.24.0.747539053. The option is located within the 'Adjust' menu, alongside other editing tools like contrast, brightness, and tone sliders. If the option appears as 'HDR Effect' instead of 'Ultra HDR,' it indicates that the update has not yet been received. The older 'HDR Effect' primarily adjusts brightness and shadows to simulate an HDR look without altering the photo's underlying data to true HDR standards.

Technical Details of the Conversion

The new Ultra HDR feature in Google Photos adds a 'gain map' to the image. This gain map contains additional brightness information that HDR displays can utilize to render a more dynamic range. This process differs from capturing a photo natively in HDR, which typically involves taking multiple shots at different exposures and merging them. Google's method enhances existing photos by adding metadata, allowing HDR displays to interpret and display the image with greater depth and vibrancy. For a visual comparison, Android Authority has provided before-and-after images on GitHub.

Important Considerations

While Google Photos' conversion process is sophisticated, it's important to note that it's not the same as capturing a photo with a dedicated HDR camera. The conversion adds information to the existing image rather than creating a true HDR file from multiple exposures. Users experimenting with this new feature are advised to duplicate their photos before conversion to avoid unintended permanent changes to their original images. The exact method Google uses to generate the gain map data and the full impact of the conversion on image quality are still being explored.

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