The Google Play Store is working on a new way to find apps using images

At Google I/O 2026, Google unveiled an updated Ask Play conversational search feature within the Google Play Store. This feature was designed to help users discover apps and get high-level summaries through natural conversation and follow-up questions. Now, Google is preparing to make discovery even easier by allowing users to attach images directly to their Ask Play queries, alongside potentially sunsetting the “Ask Play about this app” section.

In the latest Google Play Store v52.8.55-34, we spotted code for newer Ask Play functionality and managed to enable some of it ahead of its release.

Users will soon be able to attach images from their device gallery or camera directly into Ask Play conversations. This will allow users to add more context to their query and ask questions about the image’s contents.

For instance, if you spot a unique home screen widget in a video or screenshot on the internet, or even an interesting app feature, you can attach that image to Ask Play and directly ask AI to identify the home screen widget/app for you. You could also search for apps that cater to specific needs, like simpler apps that serve a narrower need vs all-in-one toolbox style apps, by attaching an image and describing your needs.

Alongside the ability to attach images to Ask Play, Google also appears set to retire the older “Ask Play about this app” dedicated section that it introduced last year. In its place, listings could feature a horizontally scrollable strip of contextual question chips that remain sticky as you scroll.

Tapping any suggestion will invoke the updated Ask Play bottom sheet overlay with tailored answers.

Here’s a demo of the feature in action:

The image attachment feature and revamped listing chips are not yet live for users. We’ll keep you updated when we learn more.