Google’s Pixel smartphones have built a strong reputation, particularly for their advanced camera capabilities. While the Pixel Camera app is often praised for offering smart, user-friendly tools that make mobile photography more efficient, the latest app update has left many users surprised and not in a good way.
With the recent June 2025 Feature Drop, Google updated the Pixel Camera app to version 9.9 via the Google Play Store. While the update introduces some expected refinements, it also appears to have removed two popular features that users had come to rely on, causing concern among Pixel fans worldwide.
Social Share Feature Quietly Removed
One of the standout tools previously available in the Pixel Camera app was the Social Share feature. This functionality allowed users to quickly share photos directly from the camera interface to platforms like Instagram or messaging apps, using a simple upward swipe on the photo preview near the shutter button.
Users could choose up to three preferred apps to appear in the quick share menu alongside Google’s default Quick Share option. It streamlined the process of sharing captured moments instantly, without needing to navigate through the gallery or open another app.
However, after the version 9.9 update, Social Share has disappeared from the camera settings, and there’s no official word yet on whether this was an intentional removal or a technical oversight. Given Google’s previous issues with maintaining this feature, users are hopeful it will return in a future patch.
“Education Hub” Also Missing
Another missing element is the “Education Hub”, which was supposed to be introduced in the latest update. This feature was expected to offer in-app tips and guidance—accessible via a question mark icon in the camera interface—to help users better understand their camera’s capabilities. Unfortunately, the icon is absent in the current build, and the feature appears to be inactive. While this particular omission may be less impactful, it highlights a pattern of incomplete rollouts that have frustrated users who eagerly anticipate new tools.
Pixel devices are increasingly gaining popularity in India, especially among photography enthusiasts and users who value Google’s AI-powered software. With India’s rising content creation community and social media engagement, the loss of quick sharing tools could affect daily usage for many users.
Though Google has not made an official statement regarding these missing features, it’s possible that future server-side updates may reintroduce or fix them without requiring another app update. Until then, Pixel users may have to revert to traditional sharing methods, which can slow down the seamless experience that Google’s ecosystem aims to deliver.
