Google Photos Now Lets You Convert Standard Photos to Ultra HDR
Ultra HDR is a cool image format. Like traditional HDR, this format packs more image data into each media file, which translates into brighter highlights, darker shadows, and more vibrant colors. However, Ultra HDR files also contain the standard dynamic range (SDR) version of the image as well. That way, you can share Ultra HDR files with friends who don't have HDR-compatible displays, and the image will show up just fine.
But there's a difference between being able to display an Ultra HDR image on a non-HDR display and converting an SDR image to HDR (or Ultra HDR, for that matter). Traditionally, the latter has been a more complicated endeavor, and not something offered through easy means to consumers. If you wanted your images to have a high dynamic range, you needed to shoot in HDR from the start.
As it happens, Google Photos is changing those rules. Android Authority reported that Google is now rolling out an option to its default photo app to let users upgrade their SDR images to Ultra HDR. Here's how it works.
How to convert images to Ultra HDR in Google Photos
There are two things that need to happen before you can try out the new option. First, you need to be running Google Photos version 7.24.0.747539053 or newer. Second, Google needs to update your app with the feature itself. This is what's known as a server-side update, as the feature isn't something necessarily contained in a specific software version. If you're running the right version, Google can then update your app on its end, and include the option for you to use. In other words, if your Google Photos app is fully updated and you still don't see the new option, wait a bit for the update to roll out.
Once the feature does land on your version of Google Photos, open an image, then tap Edit launch the editor. Here, scroll left on the tools along the bottom of the display, then tap Adjust. You'll find the new "Ultra HDR" option in this menu, replacing the "HDR Effect" option that was previously available in the editor.
In Android Authority's testing, the image is clearly labeled as "Ultra HDR," which you can find adjacent to the photo's resolution and size information. Speaking of file size, Ultra HDR images may end up smaller than the original image you were working with, since the gain map (very simply, the HDR data of the image) is smaller than the original photo. If you want to make sure you preserve the full information of the image, it might be a good idea to save the original photo after applying the effect—even if it does cost you a bit of storage.
via Lifehacker (author: Jake Peterson)
Ultra HDR is a cool image format. Like traditional HDR, this format packs more image data into each media file, which translates into brighter highlights, darker shadows, and more vibrant colors. However, Ultra HDR files also contain the standard dynamic range (SDR) version of the image as well. That way, you can share Ultra HDR files with friends who don't have HDR-compatible displays, and the image will show up just fine.
But there's a difference between being able to display an Ultra HDR image on a non-HDR display and converting an SDR image to HDR (or Ultra HDR, for that matter). Traditionally, the latter has been a more complicated endeavor, and not something offered through easy means to consumers. If you wanted your images to have a high dynamic range, you needed to shoot in HDR from the start.
As it happens, Google Photos is changing those rules. Android Authority reported that Google is now rolling out an option to its default photo app to let users upgrade their SDR images to Ultra HDR. Here's how it works.
How to convert images to Ultra HDR in Google Photos
There are two things that need to happen before you can try out the new option. First, you need to be running Google Photos version 7.24.0.747539053 or newer. Second, Google needs to update your app with the feature itself. This is what's known as a server-side update, as the feature isn't something necessarily contained in a specific software version. If you're running the right version, Google can then update your app on its end, and include the option for you to use. In other words, if your Google Photos app is fully updated and you still don't see the new option, wait a bit for the update to roll out.
Once the feature does land on your version of Google Photos, open an image, then tap Edit launch the editor. Here, scroll left on the tools along the bottom of the display, then tap Adjust. You'll find the new "Ultra HDR" option in this menu, replacing the "HDR Effect" option that was previously available in the editor.
In Android Authority's testing, the image is clearly labeled as "Ultra HDR," which you can find adjacent to the photo's resolution and size information. Speaking of file size, Ultra HDR images may end up smaller than the original image you were working with, since the gain map (very simply, the HDR data of the image) is smaller than the original photo. If you want to make sure you preserve the full information of the image, it might be a good idea to save the original photo after applying the effect—even if it does cost you a bit of storage.
via Lifehacker (author: Jake Peterson)
Google Still Hasn't Fixed This Dark Mode Bug on Pixel
Dark mode has saved many of us from eye pain when using our smartphones at night. The difference between a black display with white text and a blinding white screen with black text is immeasurable when your phone is the only light source in the room—especially when you're opening your eyes for the first time in a while.
While many Android users prefer to use dark mode all the time, others prefer it exclusively in the evening and night. That's where the "sunset to sunrise" schedule comes into play: On many devices, such as Google's Pixel phones, you can choose to schedule dark mode from sunset to sunrise. After the sun rises, your phone stays in light mode, so your content is bright alongside the light outside. But after sunset, when the light starts to dim, your phone conveniently switches dark mode. It's the best of both worlds—when it works.
As reported by 9to5Google, users are experiencing issues with scheduled themes on Pixel devices. The problems seem to have begun with the March 2025 Pixel update, and remains unpatched following the April update. It can be frustrating, especially when you're expecting your phone to look a certain way at a certain time of day. There are a few workarounds, but they're not a permanent solution.
Workarounds for the dark mode bug on Pixel
Back in March, when the issue first popped up on Pixel devices, users discovered a quirk that appears to trigger the glitch: manually enabling dark mode.
Typically, when you have this schedule enabled, you're still free to toggle between themes whenever you want. Android would simply override that decision during the next schedule change. For example, if light mode kicks in after sunrise, but you still want dark mode, you can manually enable it, and Android will preserve that setting until the following day's sunrise. Then, it switches back to light mode.
It appears that part of the bug has to do with this practice. If you manually toggle dark mode on in this situation, Android won't switch to light mode during the following sunrise. The same goes the opposite way: If you enable light mode after sunset, dark mode won't kick in the following sunset.
For now, one of the best workarounds is to simply not touch the toggle if you want to keep your theme schedule active and automatic. That's not a great workaround, by any means, but it seems to be the one with the most success.
Some users saw success in setting up a custom time for dark mode (Settings > Display > Dark theme > Schedule) then switching back to the "sunset to sunrise" option after the fact. However, others say the bug returns in time—indicating there is something broken in this particular schedule function. You could also try setting up a Bedtime mode rather than relying on this schedule, though that would affect more of your phone's function than usual.
via Lifehacker (author: Jake Peterson)
Dark mode has saved many of us from eye pain when using our smartphones at night. The difference between a black display with white text and a blinding white screen with black text is immeasurable when your phone is the only light source in the room—especially when you're opening your eyes for the first time in a while.
While many Android users prefer to use dark mode all the time, others prefer it exclusively in the evening and night. That's where the "sunset to sunrise" schedule comes into play: On many devices, such as Google's Pixel phones, you can choose to schedule dark mode from sunset to sunrise. After the sun rises, your phone stays in light mode, so your content is bright alongside the light outside. But after sunset, when the light starts to dim, your phone conveniently switches dark mode. It's the best of both worlds—when it works.
As reported by 9to5Google, users are experiencing issues with scheduled themes on Pixel devices. The problems seem to have begun with the March 2025 Pixel update, and remains unpatched following the April update. It can be frustrating, especially when you're expecting your phone to look a certain way at a certain time of day. There are a few workarounds, but they're not a permanent solution.
Workarounds for the dark mode bug on Pixel
Back in March, when the issue first popped up on Pixel devices, users discovered a quirk that appears to trigger the glitch: manually enabling dark mode.
Typically, when you have this schedule enabled, you're still free to toggle between themes whenever you want. Android would simply override that decision during the next schedule change. For example, if light mode kicks in after sunrise, but you still want dark mode, you can manually enable it, and Android will preserve that setting until the following day's sunrise. Then, it switches back to light mode.
It appears that part of the bug has to do with this practice. If you manually toggle dark mode on in this situation, Android won't switch to light mode during the following sunrise. The same goes the opposite way: If you enable light mode after sunset, dark mode won't kick in the following sunset.
For now, one of the best workarounds is to simply not touch the toggle if you want to keep your theme schedule active and automatic. That's not a great workaround, by any means, but it seems to be the one with the most success.
Some users saw success in setting up a custom time for dark mode (Settings > Display > Dark theme > Schedule) then switching back to the "sunset to sunrise" option after the fact. However, others say the bug returns in time—indicating there is something broken in this particular schedule function. You could also try setting up a Bedtime mode rather than relying on this schedule, though that would affect more of your phone's function than usual.
via Lifehacker (author: Jake Peterson)