Google Photos may be renaming one of its video-creation tools. Android Authority found references to a "Video maker" label inside version 7.98 of the app, where the existing Highlight video feature appears. The change isn't visible in the regular app, and Google hasn't announced a rebrand, so it remains unconfirmed.
That possible Google Photos Highlight video rebrand surfaced alongside several other hidden tests, while two separate updates are already available or rolling out. Knowing which is which matters because a feature spotted in a modified build isn't necessarily something users can access after updating.
Available or rolling out: Video Quick Edits for videos on Android 14 or newer, and a fix for post-editing freezes introduced in version 7.94.0.988717361.
Already available, but easy to miss: Muting music in individual Memories and disabling Motion Photo autoplay in the photo grid.
Still in testing, with no confirmed rollout date: The Video maker name, Beat Match, a persistent Memories music toggle, and a Motion Photo shortcut.
Available now: two Google Photos updates worth installing
Video Quick Edits for videos is rolling out in version 7.95.0.989626323, according to Android Police. The tool adds cropping, one-tap color adjustments, music, text, and filters for quick touch-ups before sharing a clip, extending the photo-editing feature Google introduced in July 2025.
The feature requires Android 14 or newer. Installing the latest Google Photos version alone won't make it available on an older Android release, and rollout timing may vary by device.
Separately, Google confirmed that it had released a fix for an issue that caused some Google Photos controls to become unresponsive after editing. In a Sept. 29 statement to Android Authority, Google said the fix was available in version 7.94.0.988717361.
The two updates have different levels of confirmation. The freeze fix comes directly from Google, while Video Quick Edits availability is based on reporting that the feature was appearing in a particular app build. Neither update is related to the proposed Video maker rebrand.
The Google Photos Video maker feature: what Highlight video does today
Highlight video lets users select photos or clips and turn them into a music-backed video. The default interval between photos is one second, which users can adjust by dragging handles on the timeline.
Google updated the video editor in December 2025, adding tools for creating videos from existing photos and short clips.
In version 7.98, the "Video maker" label appears in three places: the multi-select Create menu, the dedicated Create tab, and the Gemini-backed "Help me create" feature.
Android Authority had to modify the app to enable the new wording, which means the name isn't visible in a normal installation. Its appearance across several screens suggests Google is considering a broader naming change, but the company hasn't confirmed whether or when it will happen.
For now, the evidence points to a possible rebrand of Highlight video rather than an entirely new video editor.
Beat Match and other hidden video-editing tests
Google is also testing an optional "Beat Match" feature that would automatically synchronize photo transitions with the rhythm of a selected music track.
The feature appeared in a modified version of Google Photos 7.93.0, according to Android Authority's September findings. Users would be able to select "No matching" to retain manual control over the timing.
Currently, aligning transitions with music requires adjusting each photo's duration individually. Beat Match could speed up that process, although users might still need to fine-tune the results. With faster music, some photos could appear for only a fraction of a second.
Earlier this year, Android Authority also found evidence of a more advanced Memories editor using tools associated with Highlight video. Android Headlines covered those findings in June.
The hidden editor reportedly includes additional audio controls, text overlays, and per-photo duration settings. Other tests have explored custom filters and Fit/Fill controls for adjusting images within a vertical video frame.
These features were discovered in different app builds over several months. They suggest Google is experimenting with more video-creation controls, but they don't establish that Beat Match, the Memories editor changes, and the Video maker name will arrive together.
Testing a way to disable Google Photos Memories music and other controls
Google is testing a persistent "Background music" toggle that could let users disable automatically selected music across Memories.
According to Android Authority, the setting would likely appear under Photo settings > Preferences > Memories. Currently, users can turn off music while viewing an individual Memory, but the reported toggle would provide a broader setting.
A separate test could make it easier to disable Motion Photo autoplay directly from the photo grid.
The existing control is available under Photo settings > Preferences > Photo grid playback. The proposed change would add a shortcut through the grid's three-dot menu, leading to a "Show Motion Preview" toggle.
Android Authority reports that the existing setting would remain available, so the shortcut would provide another way to reach the control rather than replace it.
Both changes were found through modified app builds. Google hasn't publicly announced either feature or confirmed when they might become available.
What to do now
Google has confirmed that version 7.94.0.988717361 includes the fix for the post-editing freeze issue. Anyone still experiencing the problem should check the Play Store and install the latest available Google Photos update.
Users running Android 14 or newer can also check whether Video Quick Edits has reached their device, although the feature may not appear immediately for everyone.
The Video maker name, Beat Match, persistent Memories music toggle, and Motion Photo shortcut remain unannounced. Each was uncovered through APK analysis or modified builds, so their names, functionality, and release timing could change.
Anyone bothered by autoplaying Motion Photos or unwanted Memories music doesn't need to wait for these tests. Music can already be muted within an individual Memory, and Motion Photo autoplay can be disabled under Photo settings > Preferences > Photo grid playback.
For now, Highlight video remains the existing feature to use. "Video maker" is a possible new name, not a confirmed replacement.
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