Many users of Google Photos have a large collection of pictures and videos stored in the cloud, making it a convenient way to access their content across multiple devices. While the current backup process is functional, there is still room for improvement. Google is looking to enhance the experience by introducing Material 3 Expressive, a new design language aimed at making the backup process more user-friendly. Currently, users can see a small icon on their profile picture while backing up their content, which gives them a count of the items being uploaded.

However, this interface lacks an estimated time for completion, leaving users in the dark about how long they will have to wait for their uploads to finish. Recent findings by Android Authority in an APK deep dive indicate that Google’s upcoming changes to the backup process could significantly benefit users. For those who frequently upload content while multitasking, knowing precisely how long the upload will take can be essential. With the rollout of Material 3 Expressive, users will notice updated icons and a more streamlined interface.

For instance, if backups are turned off, users will see a dedicated button featuring the Google Photos logo in the top left corner of the screen. If backups are enabled, users will receive real-time updates on how many items are being uploaded and how long the process is expected to take. Additionally, the system will recommend that users keep the app open to optimize the speed of their backups. Upon successful completion of the backup, a “Backup Complete” button will be visible, indicating how many new items have been successfully uploaded.

Furthermore, a “Preparing to backup” button may also appear at the top of the screen, providing additional transparency during the initial stages of the backup process.