Radical changes to the Photos app in the iOS 18 update, learn all the details

The redesign of the Photos app is one of the most controversial changes in IOS 18 updateApple has dramatically changed the form and way the application works. It made many modifications during beta testing based on user feedback during the testing period. The application has become completely different from the previous version in iOS 17. The design appears consistent, and Apple has also added new functions to the application. In this guide, we collect for you everything that is different in the Photos app in the iOS 18 update.

New and unified design

Apple has radically redesigned the Photos application, with a unified and smooth interface instead of the usual separate tabs.

◉ When you open the application, the photo library will remain the main interface.

◉ Instead of separate tabs like “For You” and “Albums,” you can now scroll down to access additional content.

◉ The main screen displays about 30 images simultaneously.

◉ To access the full library view, scroll down. In this view, you can use two-finger zoom gestures, and you will also find options for organizing by years and months.

◉ The option to view “Days” has been moved to the “Recent Days” group, which can be accessed by scrolling down.

◉ In each view, you will find a blue search icon for quick access to what you want.

◉ “Select” button allows you to select multiple photos to perform different operations such as sharing, deleting, or adding to an album.

◉ You'll need to get used to swiping down to get to the full library view, then swiping up to return to other views.

◉ Below the main grid, you can scroll horizontally to see different sets of photos and albums.

Despite the significant design changes, most of the features found in the previous version are still available, but organized differently within this new unified interface.

Filtering and sorting

In the full library view, which can be accessed by scrolling down, advanced filtering and sorting options are available.

◉ You can sort your photo library in two ways: by date added (most recent first), and by date the photo was taken.

◉ Click on the two opposite arrows icon at the bottom to access the filters. You will find that the available filters include: favorites, edited images, photos, videos, and screenshots. By clicking on any of these filters, you can view only photos in that category.

◉ By setting “View Options”, you can remove screenshots and remove shared photos from the photo library.

◉The display options also include tools that were present in the previous version, such as: zoom in, zoom out, and aspect ratio grid.

In this way, the new Photos app provides a comprehensive set of filtering and sorting tools, allowing users to customize the way their photos are displayed more accurately and effectively.

Main groups

The new Photos app focuses on Collections, which are basically different albums that group photos based on subject, location, genre, and other parameters. Everything outside the image grid is considered a “set.” They are as follows:

◉ Last days: Recent photos are displayed by date.

◉ Albums: All the albums you've created, including the shared albums you're in.

◉ People and pets: It is intelligently automated and organized by machine learning.

◉ Memories: Automatic and intelligent slideshows.

◉ Trips: Your photos from different locations display photos sorted by location and date.

◉ Shared albums: Albums that you share with others

◉ Pinned groups: A selection of your favorite collections or albums.

◉ Featured images: A selection of the best photos.

◉ Media types: Categorize photos by camera settings (video, selfie, live photo, etc.).

◉Auxiliary tools: Providing quick filters for different types of images allows you to quickly access handwritten images, receipts, and more.

◉ Wallpaper suggestions: Suitable background images with customization options.

This new arrangement combines most of the previous features with new additions into a unified interface.

Personalization

You can change the display order of collections within the Photos grid, so you can access your most frequently used features first. To do this:

◉ Scroll to the bottom of the images and then click on the Customize and Reorder option.

◉ To remove a group you can deselect it, or click and drag the three bars next to each group to rearrange.

◉ Clicking on the X will exit the menu and return to the main “Photos” view.

This way, you can organize the app so that the most frequently used features are at the top, making them easy to access quickly.

Pinned groups

Pinned Collections is a new feature in the Photos app that lets you collect your favorite content in one place for quick access to what you want.

◉ You can add any type of content to this section, including albums, other collections, and different media types.

◉ This feature is especially useful for content that you use frequently but is not included in the default collections, such as a map of photo shoot locations.

◉ To customize this section, you can click on the green Apple Suggestions or choose “Any group or album” to add custom items.

◉ To remove a pinned item, click on the red “-” sign, and to rearrange, use the three bars icon.

◉ It should be noted that pinned items remain within the Pinned Groups section and cannot be converted into separate groups.

Image editing interface updates

The photo editing interface has not changed much, and Apple has added some changes:

◉ The “Edit” button has been replaced with a new icon that resembles three bars to enter the editing interface.

◉ The share and delete icons are still in their previous positions.

◉ There's still a "heart" button for favorite photos, and an information button that turns into a shiny icon when there's something in the photo that's recognizable, like a plant or animal.

◉ Photo management features (such as copy, duplicate, hide, slideshow, and add to album) can be accessed by clicking on the three dots in the upper corner.

◉ To exit the editing interface, click “X” instead of the previous back arrow on the left or right side.

◉ The actual editing tools have not changed and are still in the same locations.

These changes are intended to simplify the editing interface while keeping core functions close at hand.

Expanded Utilities section in iOS 18

In iOS 18, the set of utilities has been expanded to include multiple types of images:

◉ Hidden: Hidden photos (requires face recognition).

◉ Recently deleted: Photos deleted within 30 days (requires face recognition).

◉ Repeaters: To merge duplicate images (appears only when there are duplicates).

◉ Receipts: Photos of receipts or something similar.

◉ Handwriting: Images that contain handwriting.

◉ Illustrations: Paintings and drawings.

◉ QR Codes: Images containing QR codes.

◉ Recently saved: Latest photos added to the library.

◉ Recently viewed: Recently viewed photos.

◉ Newly modified: Recently edited photos.

◉ the documents: Images containing documents.

◉ Imports: Imported images.

◉ the map: View photos by location.

◉ Refunds: Appears for missing photos after update.

This expansion aims to make it easier to organize and manage different types of images more effectively.

Search improvements

Apple has made major improvements to the search function in the Photos app, allowing users to search using the natural language you speak with greater accuracy than before.

You can now search for specific photos based on subtle details, like the color of a specific person's clothing or what they're holding in their hand. For example, you can search for “I'm with food,” “cats outside,” or “insects on plants.” You can describe any photo you remember, and the app will try to find it based on your description.

You can also search for specific parts in videos, and the app will go directly to the desired scene if it recognizes what you wrote.

To activate these features, the app needs to index your photo library on the device, a process that can take a long time.

Memories Maker (Apple Intelligence)

Memories Maker is a new feature in the Photos app that lets you create a video of personalized memories using text commands. You can access this feature through the Memories collection in the app. It relies on artificial intelligence, which means there must be an “Apple Intelligence” feature and an iPhone that supports it.

To create a new memory, click on the “Create” option and type a phrase such as “My cat through the years” or “Me and the family.” The app will search your photo library to choose the best photos and create an exciting short story.

Music appropriate to the theme will be added automatically, and you can change it as you wish. If you have an Apple Music subscription, songs from it will be used.

You can also edit the timeline and title for further customization.

Then you can share Memories videos on social media or in Messages, add them to Favorites, or AirPlay them to another Apple device.

Cleaning feature (Apple intelligence)

The cleaning feature is part of the artificial intelligence technologies developed by Apple. This feature aims to intelligently identify unwanted elements in the background of your photos. You can remove these items with one click.

Although this feature is important, it will not be available soon. This addition is an important and required step in photo editing.

Integration of the Image Playground application with the Photos application (Apple Intelligence)

The “Image Playground” app will be integrated with the Photos app. This application will allow you to create images based on text descriptions. It will enable you to include your friends and family members in the generated images. “Image Playground” is also an Apple Intelligence feature that will be available in the future.

Source:

macrumors