How to Send, Save, Block, and Report Messages on Google Photos
Google Photos has received several major updates recently, but the app now has a full-fledged messaging service that you can use to share photos and communicate between your contacts.
Google says this is not intended to replace or compete with other messaging apps, but instead makes sharing photos and videos on Google Photos more interactive. That being said, conversations in Google Photos look and act like most other messaging services, including features like read receipts, emoji responses, group chats, and more.
Here’s a quick overview of the main features of the new messaging feature and everything you need to know about blocking and reporting any unwanted photos you might receive. (This is a photo-based messaging service, after all, so knowing how to suppress offensive and unwanted messages is important.)
All of the following steps work on Android, iOS and PC:
How to start a conversation on Google Photos
- Open a photo or video in Google Photos.
- Tap or click the Share icon.
- Select Send via Google Photos, then Say Something to send the file as a private message.
- When you’re ready to send it, click Submit.
- This will start a personal conversation between you and the contact receiving your file.
Photos and videos sent to you can be saved by clicking the “Save to Library” link below the message. You can also respond to messages by tapping the heart-shaped icon in the text box.
How to block contacts on Google Photos
- Open the conversation in Google Photos.
- Tap or click the three-dot more icon at the top of the conversation thread, and then select Block Person.
This will block the sender from contacting you on Google Photos and will also blacklist them on your Google account. Likewise, any contacts, email addresses, and phone numbers you’ve already blocked in your Google or Android account settings will also be blocked in Google Photos. You can manage your blacklist by following this link on your desktop .
How to report offensive content or harassment to Google Photos
- If you receive an offensive or offensive message or file on Google Photos, you can report it by clicking or tapping the three-dot More icon next to the file, and then clicking Report Abuse.
- Select the reason for the file message from the list provided.
- Select “Report” to submit your report to Google.