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.

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Jamie Richards
Mobile Computing Staff Writer

Jamie is a Mobile Computing Staff Writer for TechRadar, responsible for covering phones and tablets. A lifelong tech-obsessive, Jamie began his writing career as a music blogger before studying journalism at Goldsmiths College, and joined TechRadar in 2024. He thinks the iPhone 5S is the greatest phone of all time, but is currently an Android user.

As well as reporting on the latest in mobile hardware, software, and industry developments, Jamie specialises in features and long-form pieces that dive into the latest phone and tablet trends. He can also be found writing for the site's Audio and Streaming sections from time to time, or behind the decks as a DJ at local venues around London.