The Add me AI feature, initially unveiled with the Pixel 9 lineup, is not limited to the newest devices. It can be activated on older Google smartphones, broadening access for users who want to experiment with this collaborative photography tool. This development was highlighted by a Google News–curated Telegram channel, underscoring the growing attention around this capability and its potential to enhance group memories across generations of devices.
At its core, Add me is a creative option that lets a group assemble a single composite photo. It does this by merging two separate photos taken by different people in a group, ensuring each participant appears within the final frame. The aim is to capture a moment with everyone present, even when group members snap from different angles or at different times. The feature was introduced alongside the Pixel 9 family, which was formally announced in mid August, signaling Google’s push toward more collaborative and AI-assisted imaging experiences across its ecosystem.
On compatible devices, enabling this function on legacy hardware involves specific software steps. Reports indicate that for last year’s Pixel 8 Pro, a user could access the feature by installing Pixel Camera app version 9.5.118 and activating a particular flag, cottage__cottage_enabled, provided root access is available. This process demonstrates the interplay between app-level tools and core operating system services. It is important to note that the feature relies on Google AR Core Services to function, a system component that handles augmented reality tasks and supports the device in tracking, mapping, and spatial understanding essential for creating the blended image output.
A practical test of Add me was performed on a Pixel 8 Pro, where the feature successfully launched, confirming its viability on that device. In contrast, attempts to enable the same capability on a Pixel 6 did not succeed in the tested scenario, suggesting hardware or software prerequisites that vary by model. The mixed results emphasize the importance of device compatibility, including camera capabilities, AR performance, and software permissions, in determining whether older Pixels can fully harness this AI-assisted photography tool.
Looking ahead, there is reasonable anticipation that Google may extend official support for Add me to a broader range of devices in future updates. If Google chooses to roll out an official implementation, it would likely streamline the activation process, reduce reliance on manual flag tweaks, and ensure consistent performance across generations. This possibility aligns with the broader trend of expanding AI features across older devices, enabling more users to participate in advanced camera experiences without needing the latest hardware. As more Pixel owners experiment with Add me, feedback and real-world usage will influence how Google structure updates and accessibility for diverse devices in the Pixel ecosystem.
Earlier industry chatter hinted at performance challenges during preliminary testing of the Pixel 9 due to various benchmark scenarios. While those reports focused on broader performance metrics, they also contextualize the environment in which AI-driven imaging tools operate. The implication is not a verdict on the hardware but a reminder that software features sometimes outpace initial hardware expectations. In the Pixel family, improvements often arrive through iterative updates that refine stability, speed, and the quality of output when blending images with AI assistance. As users in Canada and the United States continue to explore Add me, the feature’s reception will be shaped by practical benefits, ease of use, and how seamlessly it fits into daily photography routines.
Source notes: The information discussed here originated from coverage by a Google News channel on Telegram, which tracked the rollout and testing of Add me across different Pixel devices. The observations reflect practical experiences from users who experimented with the feature during the initial period of availability and later updates, offering a glimpse into how the tool performs in real-world settings.