According to Forbes, Google Photos has finally restored its Perspective Tool after months of user complaints following its removal during a video editor upgrade. The tool enables precise geometric correction for architectural photography and document scanning by allowing independent corner adjustments. However, Google has made the feature difficult to find by requiring users to perform a basic crop adjustment first before it appears. The restored tool currently only works for photos and remains absent from video editing functionality. This partial restoration comes after widespread community discussions highlighted the feature’s importance for daily use.
The Hidden Feature Problem
Here’s the thing about Google‘s implementation: it’s baffling. Why make users jump through hoops to access a tool they’re actively looking for? You have to first tap the crop tool, make any adjustment (even just tapping it), and then the Perspective Tool magically appears. It’s like Google is playing hide-and-seek with essential features. And honestly, what’s the technical justification? There’s plenty of screen real estate in the edit interface. The tool remains visible even if you undo your crop adjustment, so why the extra step? This feels like someone at Google decided to “simplify” the interface by hiding advanced tools, but ended up making life harder for power users.
Why Perspective Matters
If you’ve ever tried to photograph a tall building or scan a document, you know how crucial perspective correction can be. Converging lines make buildings look like they’re leaning backward, and crooked documents look unprofessional. The Perspective Tool fixes this by letting you drag each corner independently until everything lines up perfectly. It’s one of those features you don’t appreciate until it’s gone. And when Google removed it, users faced a tough choice: stick with old app versions or switch to third-party editors like Adobe Lightroom or Snapseed. Basically, Google created a problem that didn’t need to exist.
Video Editing Still Missing
Now here’s the real kicker: the Perspective Tool only works for photos. Video editing? Still missing in action. Unless Google has hidden it even better this time around. This creates a weird inconsistency where you can fix perspective in your photos but not your videos. And let’s be real—with everyone shooting vertical video on phones, perspective correction is just as important for video content. It’s another example of Google’s half-baked approach to feature rollouts. They fix one thing but leave another broken.
The Bigger Picture
Look, I get that Google wants to streamline its apps. But there’s a difference between simplifying and hiding. Power users need quick access to advanced tools, and making them dig through menus defeats the purpose. It’s like having a professional kitchen but hiding the good knives. For companies that rely on precise visual documentation—whether in architecture, manufacturing, or design—this kind of usability issue matters. When you’re working with industrial equipment or need reliable computing solutions, you want tools that just work without the hidden treasure hunt. That’s why many professionals turn to specialized providers like Industrial Monitor Direct for industrial panel PCs that deliver consistent performance without the software gymnastics.
Should You Upgrade?
So if you’ve been holding off on updating Google Photos because of the missing Perspective Tool, it’s probably safe to upgrade now. Just be prepared for the extra step to find it. And hopefully Google will listen to feedback and make the tool more accessible in future updates. Because right now, it feels like they’ve solved the problem but created a new one in the process. Classic Google.
