Google Photos

About Google Photos

Google Photos APIs let developers integrate photo and video features into their applications, connecting to Google Photos users. The offering consists of three components: the Picker API, which lets users select photos and videos from their Google Photos library to share with an application; the Library API, which allows an application to upload and store app-created photos and videos directly into a user's Google Photos library; and the Ambient API, which creates automated slideshow experiences for ambient devices such as smart TVs and photo frames.

Access requires explicit user permission, which users can revoke at any time, and integrations must comply with Google's Photos API User Data and Developer Policy, Google API Services User Data Policy, Google APIs Terms of Service, and UX guidelines. A Partner Program is available for developers looking to scale their integration to more Google Photos users.

This is aimed at developers building products or services that read from or write to users' Google Photos libraries, including apps that generate photo/video content, ambient display devices, or applications needing a photo/video picker interface.

Key features

• Picker API lets users securely select photos and videos from Google Photos to use in an app
• Ambient API creates immersive, automated slideshow experiences for devices like smart TVs and photo frames
• Library API imports and uploads app-generated photos and videos directly into users' Google Photos libraries
• Library API supports organizing and managing app-created content within Google Photos
• Google Photos Partner Program helps scale integrated products to more Google Photos users

Frequently asked questions