Pixel Camera Update Say Goodbye to Social Share!

Google Pixel Camera 9.9 Rolls Out: Social Share Removed, Icon Tweaks

Google is currently rolling out an updated version of Pixel Camera 9.9 to users, bringing with it a couple of notable changes. Let's delve into what's new and what's been removed in this update.

This slightly newer version of the app, specifically 9.9.106.773153235.19 (compared to the previous 9.9.106.767010485.16), has one significant omission: Social Share. It appears its removal is intentional, suggesting a shift in Google's approach to quick photo sharing.

Goodbye, Social Share

The most impactful change is the removal of the convenient swipe-up gesture on the circular preview of your last photo. Previously, this allowed you to quickly share the image to compatible apps. You could even select up to three target apps, as well as Quick Share, within the settings.

While this feature was handy, its usefulness had already been diminished by the earlier removal of WhatsApp integration. For many users, the deprecation of Social Share might not come as a complete surprise, but it's undoubtedly a loss for those who relied on its streamlined sharing capabilities.

Timer Icon Tweaks

Pixel Camera 9.9 introduces subtle but helpful tweaks to the Timer icons. Google has improved the visibility of the numerals 3, 5, and 10, making it easier to quickly select your desired timer duration. This small adjustment contributes to a more user-friendly experience.

What About the Education Hub?

Notably absent in this rollout is the "education hub" that Google announced as part of the June 2025 Feature Drop. This feature, which will be available for the Pixel 6 and newer models, is designed to help users discover and master the camera's various features.

The education hub will add a question mark icon in the top-right corner of the camera viewfinder. Tapping this icon will open a guide with "Examples and How to instructions" for every camera mode. While it's not included in this initial rollout, Google will presumably enable it through a server-side update in the near future.

Key Takeaways:

• Social Share removed: No more swiping up on the photo preview for quick sharing.
• Timer icon tweaks: Improved visibility for the 3, 5, and 10-second timer options.
• Education hub missing: The announced feature will arrive later via a server-side update.

Availability

Pixel Camera 9.9 began its rollout earlier this month, and this update is now widely available through the Google Play Store. Be sure to check for updates to experience these changes firsthand.

The removal of Social Share might sting for some Pixel users, but the subtle improvements to the Timer icons demonstrate Google's commitment to refining the camera experience. While we await the arrival of the education hub, Pixel Camera 9.9 offers a slightly refined and updated mobile photography experience. It showcases how even seemingly small tweaks can impact user experience and prompts us to adapt to evolving features.

Tags: Pixel Camera, Google Pixel, Camera 9.9, Android Camera, Google update, Camera timer, Pixel 6, Tech news, Mobile photography, App update

Source: https://9to5google.com/2025/06/23/pixel-camera-9-9-update/