Google’s Snapseed photo editing application received a significant update for iPhone users in June 2025, adding a built-in camera function with pro-level manual controls, a feature initially released for iOS via widgets and shortcuts in December 2024. The update, reported by TechRadar, allows users to directly access a viewfinder and capture photos within the Snapseed app, offering control over ISO, shutter speed and focus.
The new camera mode likewise includes film emulation options and compatibility with custom saved looks, enabling users to apply pre-defined editing styles during capture. Users can modify and revert edits even after saving a photo, and the app offers customizable viewfinder color themes.
Even as the update has been met with enthusiasm from iPhone users, Android users have expressed frustration over the lack of comparable features and updates. Snapseed hasn’t been updated on Android since May 2024, according to TechRadar, creating a disparity in functionality between the two platforms.
Snapseed, originally launched by Nik Software in June 2011 for the iPad and subsequently named Apple’s iPad App of the Year, was acquired by Google. The application was later released for Android in December 2012, but the desktop version was discontinued following the acquisition. A major overhaul, Snapseed 2.0, was released for both iOS and Android in April 2015, introducing new tools and a redesigned interface. The most recent major update, Snapseed 3.0, debuted on iOS in June 2025, featuring a redesigned user interface, film-inspired filters, and enhanced RAW editing capabilities.
The Snapseed application currently offers 29 tools and filters, including healing, brush, structure, and HDR, and supports both JPG and RAW file formats. According to the Google Play Store listing, the app has been downloaded over 100 million times. The product lead for Snapseed has confirmed that the camera feature will eventually be available on Android, but no specific timeline has been provided.
