Google Messages consistently receives new features/enhancements to make the user experience more seamless. Google finally added a Trash folder to Messages recently, and there are more customization options on the way. Now, reports point to yet another new Google Messages feature: Low Light Boost for the in-app camera preview.
Google Messages is reportedly testing Low Light Boost to brighten camera previews
For context, Low Light Boost (LLB) is an Android feature designed to brighten real-time camera streams. Unlike Night Mode, which improves final image quality and requires the user to hold still for a bit, LLB works instantaneously on live previews and video recordings. It automatically adjusts the brightness based on ambient light, optimizing it for every environment. Why this feature matters is that apps often need to brighten the camera preview so users can see what’s in the frame before clicking.
There are apparently two ways to implement Low Light Boost on Android devices. One is Low Light Boost AE Mode, which is a hardware-level auto-exposure mode. This delivers the highest quality and performance by adjusting the ISP directly. Google recommends that apps use it. It is supported on devices running Android 15+ or later and requires OEMs to have implemented support in the HAL (currently available on Pixel 10 series).
Then there’s Google’s Low Light Boost. If the device doesn’t support the AE mode, apps can fall back to this software-based solution. It applies post-processing to the camera stream to brighten it. Also, it’s available on more devices.
The feature will brighten the viewfinder in real-time
Now circling back to our main topic, folks at Android Authority, in Google Messages v20260501 beta, have spotted code suggesting Google is working to enable Low Light Boost for in-app camera previews. However, they couldn’t get the feature to work yet, which would have offered us more information. But when it becomes available, users should be able to find it easier to use the in-app camera in Google Messages in low-light situations. It should make framing subjects in the viewfinder in low-light conditions easier.Â
That said, it’s worth noting that Low Light Boost will not affect the final result you get. This would require a Night Mode implementation on your device.
The post Google Messages’ Low Light Boost to Fix Dim Camera Previews appeared first on Android Headlines.
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