Google Photos Rolls Out 2025 Recap: New Personalization Tools and CapCut Integration

Thursday, 04 December 2025 at 17:31

Google has officially released the 2025 edition of Google Photos Recap, offering users a personalized year-in-review highlight reel of their photos and videos. This year's version, according to Tommy Meaney, Senior Product Manager for Google Photos, brings significant improvements in how users can personalize, edit, and share their yearly memories.

Key Points

2025 Recap Release: Google Photos has launched its 2025 year-in-review Recap feature, designed to create a highlight reel of users’ photos and videos.
Enhanced Personalization: Users can now hide specific people or photos from the Recap and regenerate the video for improved relevance and control.
Gemini Integration: U.S. users with Gemini features enabled will see additional insights, including standout hobbies and top highlights.
CapCut Editing: A new one-click button allows Recaps to be exported to CapCut for further customization using exclusive Google Photos templates.
Streamlined Sharing: Sharing is simplified with a carousel of generated short videos and collages, plus a direct sharing option for WhatsApp Status.

More Personalization and Deeper Insights

The 2025 Recap combines photos and clips with updated graphics and cinematic effects, enhancing the look and feel of the final video. Along with returning stats like top people and total photo count, this year introduces a new, slightly humorous metric: a selfie count.

In a major nod to user control, Google has responded to feedback by allowing users to hide specific people or photos from the Recap and regenerate the entire reel. This ensures the final memory reel only includes moments the user wants to see.

For users in the U.S. who have Gemini features enabled in Google Photos, the Recap becomes even more insightful. These Recaps will now surface deeper personal statistics, such as standout hobbies and top highlights from the past year.

New Editing and Sharing Pathways

Google is making it easier than ever to turn the Recap into shareable, customized content:

CapCut Integration: A new "Edit with CapCut" button allows users to export their Recap directly into the popular video editing app. Users can then choose from exclusive Google Photos templates within CapCut for further customization.
Streamlined Sharing: Sharing has been simplified with a carousel that generates short videos and collages immediately from the Recap, making quick posting to social platforms or group chats effortless. Direct sharing to WhatsApp Status is also available.

How to Access Your Recap

The 2025 Recap will start appearing in the Memories carousel this week. If it doesn't show up automatically, some users might see an option at the top of the app to request the creation of their Recap.

Once you’ve viewed it, the Recap moves to the back of the Memories carousel but remains accessible and pinned in the Collections tab for all of December. Google will also continue to show additional 2025 highlights in the Memories carousel throughout the month.

Google Photos