Google Photos now lets you edit your snaps online

Google Photos

Filters! Finally! Screenshot: Killian Bell/Cult of Android

Google Photos users can finally edit their images on the web, thanks to new browser-based tools that are available today.

The update sidesteps the need to use a third-party editing app to apply filters, effects, and other modifications — and allows you to view your images on a larger screen while perfecting them.

When Google announced it was divorcing its Photos service from Google+ last May, we couldn’t have been more pleased with some of the changes, like free and unlimited storage, and an amazing new search function. But it wasn’t all good news.

Google took away the Snapseed-based editing tools previously available inside Google+, forcing us to rely on third-party apps — or the standalone Snapseed app on Android and iOS — for even the simplest of changes. Now they’re back.

When viewing your Google Photos uploads in your web browser, you will now see a new edit button. Click this and you’ll be able to crop and rotate your images, apply some sweet filters, and adjust things like light, color, and vignette.

It’s basic, but if you’re a casual photographer, it may be all you need to perfect your favorite photos.

These features aren’t available inside the Google Photos apps for Android and iOS yet, and Google hasn’t said whether or not they will be. But keep your eyes peeled for an update.