Google Photos is finally getting an off switch for its annoying shimmer effect

At a glance:\n- Google Photos is adding a toggle to turn off the shimmering border that signals sticker creation.\n- The option will appear in Settings > Preferences > Photos view in version 7.82, but the shimmer remains when long‑pressing to make stickers.\n- Users have complained that the effect causes headaches and nausea, and the new setting lets them view photos without the constant flashing.\n\n## The shimmering sticker prompt\nGoogle Photos introduced a subtle animation that highlights the outline of potential sticker content after a few seconds of viewing a photo. The shimmering border is meant to prompt users to press and hold if they wish to create a sticker from the image.\n\nThis effect first appeared on iOS last year, giving Apple users the ability to quickly generate stickers. Android users only received the feature when Google Photos updated the app in February, bringing the same visual cue to the Android ecosystem.\n\n## User backlash and the need for a toggle\nThe shimmer has become a point of contention in the Google Photos community. Support forums are filled with complaints that the flashing border can cause headaches and even nausea for some viewers. While sticker enthusiasts appreciate the visual cue, many users who rarely create stickers find it an unwanted distraction.\n\nBecause the effect is not essential for most photo‑viewing workflows, the community has called for a way to disable it. The request has gained traction, and Google has begun to address the issue.\n\n## How to disable the shimmer\nIn Google Photos version 7.82, a new setting is being prepared that will let users turn the shimmer off. The toggle will be located under:\n\n- Settings\n- Preferences\n- Photos view\n\nOnce the feature rolls out, users can simply uncheck the option to stop the constant flashing when they are not actively creating stickers.\n\n## What the toggle actually does and future implications\nToggling the option off won’t free you from the shimmer entirely, though; you’ll still see it if you long‑press on a picture, and are actually trying to make a sticker. This will stop the app from constantly flashing it at you when you just want to look at your photos in peace.\n\nGoogle’s decision to add this setting demonstrates that the company is listening to user feedback on UI irritants. The move may encourage further refinements to the Photos app’s visual cues and could set a precedent for other Google services to offer similar customization options.