The handy Pixel Screenshots app is about to become even more useful – here’s what’s coming

Google Pixel 9 front and back
(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)

  • APK teardown reveals potential updates to Google's Pixel Screenshots app
  • New features include new app shortcuts and image scanning abilities
  • It's not confirmed when, or even if, these features will be released

Google's Pixel Screenshots app, which provides a dedicated gallery and AI search function for (you guessed it) screenshots, is due to receive some major improvements with a coming update.

Coming additions include two new shortcuts and a new home screen layout, as well as the possibility of copying and contacting email addresses and phone numbers from a screenshot.

That’s according to Android Authority, who have published a new APK teardown looking into the code and features of the next update to the Screenshots app.

For reference, APK here stands for Android Package, which is the file type used to deliver apps, games, functional software, and updates to all three to Android devices.

Pixel Screenshots: upcoming new features

The most immediately noticeable new feature is the Pixel Screenshots app's subtly redesigned home screen, which has changed from a list of gallery display options to simply showing the gallery with a toggle to change the view type.

There also seems to be a new gesture enabled, allowing users to long-press-and-swipe over a group of screenshots to select multiple images – the teardown also finds that users may be able to rename collections.

As for the new shortcuts, these refer to the functions available with a long-press of the app icon on the phone’s home screen or app drawer.

The two shortcuts that seem to be on the way are “Gallery” and “Camera”, allowing users to access and add to their screenshots with even less hassle.

What’s more, the Screenshots app will seemingly allow users to copy, contact, and save email addresses or phone numbers from images – this seems like a logical addition to the current set of AI tools included in Pixel Screenshots, but this isn’t yet confirmed.

Keep in mind that this is neither a scheduled or implemented update yet, so some or all of these features could change before release, or not make it to users at all.

For the latest official updates as we hear them, be sure to keep up with our Google Pixel phones coverage and Android coverage.

You might also like

TOPICS
Jamie Richards
Mobile Computing Staff Writer

Jamie is a Mobile Computing Staff Writer for TechRadar, responsible for covering phones and tablets. He’s been tech-obsessed from a young age and has written for various news and culture publications. Jamie graduated from Goldsmiths, University of London in 2024 with a bachelor’s degree in Journalism. Since starting out as a music blogger in 2020, he’s worked on local news stories, finance trade magazines, and multimedia political features. He brings a love for digital journalism and consumer technology to TechRadar. Outside of the TechRadar office, Jamie can be found binge-watching tech reviews, DJing in local venues around London, or challenging friends to a game of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.

Read more
Android 16 logo on a phone
Android 16 will bring these 5 upgrades to your phone – including one I can’t wait to try out
A phone resting on a notebook showing the Google Messages logo
All your messages in one place: the new Besties app for Google Pixel will bring together chats from Google Messages, WhatsApp, and other apps
Google Pixel 9 Pro
Your older Pixel phone just got a performance and camera boost thanks to Google's new software update
Google Pixel 9 Pro
Here are the 7 best Pixel 9 and Pixel Watch 3 features landing in March’s Pixel Feature Drop
Woman using Circle to Search on the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Get stuck in games a lot? Google's potential Circle to Search could solve your gaming woes
The bottom left corner of an Android phone, showing the Phone, Messages, Google icons and Google Search bar
Google Messages will soon get a big upgrade for photo and video quality – and I’m going to use this a lot
Latest in Google Pixel Phones
Google Pixel 9 on blue background with big savings text overlay
Forget Amazon, the best Pixel 9 deal is at Mint Mobile today - get $400 off without an annoying trade-in
Google Pixel 9a being held, from the back
The Google Pixel 9a’s mysterious delay may have just been explained
Android 16 logo on a phone
Here's how Android 16 will upgrade the screen unlocking process on your Pixel
Google Pixel 9
The Google Pixel 10 just showed up in Android code – and may come with a useful speed boost
Google Pixel 9 in green Wintergreen color showing AI features on screen
Older Pixels just got a big performance boost, while the Pixel 9a is lacking a key feature
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL on peach background with don't miss text overlay
Why wait for the Pixel 9a? Here's a Pixel 9 Pro XL deal that can save you up to $600 at Best Buy
Latest in News
Nintendo Switch 2 Joy-Con up-close from app store
Nintendo's new app gave us another look at the Switch 2, and there's something different with the Joy-Con
cheap Nintendo Switch game deals sales
Nintendo didn't anticipate that Mario Kart 8 Deluxe was 'going to be the juggernaut' for the Nintendo Switch when it was ported to the console, according to former employees
Three angles of the Apple MacBook Air 15-inch M4 laptop above a desk
Apple MacBook Air 15-inch (M4) review roundup – should you buy Apple's new lightweight laptop?
Witchbrook
Witchbrook, the life-sim I've been waiting years for, finally has a release window and it's sooner than you think
Amazon Echo Smart Speaker
Amazon is experimenting with renaming Echo speakers to Alexa speakers, and it's about time
Shigeru Miyamoto presents Nintendo Today app
Nintendo Today smartphone app is out now on iOS and Android devices – and here's what it does