You can now use custom prompts to turn your Google Photos into videos

When Google first announced the Photo to Video feature for Google Photos last year, it immediately caught our attention. But you were restricted to two simple choices when generating the video: “Subtle movements” or “I’m feeling lucky.” While those presets produced some mind-blowing results—like adding a cinematic pan to a landscape or 3D movement to an object—you didn’t really have any control over the final output. Well, that changes today.

Custom Prompts are here

According to a new post on the Google Photos Help Forum, Google is rolling out an update that gives you way more creative control. In addition to the existing presets, you can now use text prompts to tell the AI exactly what you want.

If you have a specific vision, you can type in a prompt to describe the movement, style, or effect you are looking for. If you are stuck, Google has also included prompt suggestions to give you a little inspiration. And if the first result isn’t quite right, you can refine your prompt to fine-tune the video until it matches what is in your head.

Audio is coming too

This update isn’t just about visuals, though. Google also noted that every video created with this feature—whether it uses a custom prompt or a template—can now include audio by default, too. It’s a small addition, but sound adds a layer of immersion that really helps bring these dynamic clips to life.

The new text prompt capabilities are rolling out now, though Google notes they are currently limited to users who are 18 years of age or older. If you haven’t tried this tool yet, check the “Create” tab in Google Photos to see what it can generate for you!