As a component of iOS 18, Apple introduced the biggest redesign ever for the Photos app. With a single-pane interface, the new Photos app displays collections and selection, while being completely customizable to your liking.
The rollout of the Photos app, however, proved to be polarizing. While I’ve been a fan of it since it first debuted, Apple has made several tweaks in subsequent iOS 18 updates to address some of the most common complaints. It has also added several notable new features.
When it debuted at WWDC in June, the new design of the Photos app featured an ambitious carousel interface. This view allowed users to swipe left and right to see highlights that were updated every day and featured people, pets, favorite places, and more.
However, Apple abandoned this view of the carousel entirely with beta five of iOS 18 in August. This is the most significant structural update Apple has made in revamping the Photos app.
iOS 18. 1, the first major update to iOS 18. Se primarily focused on implementing Apple Intelligence features and adding tweaks to the Photos app.
iOS 18. 1 included a bug fix for the Photos app:
While iOS 18. 1 updated Photos with Apple Intelligence, Apple used iOS 18. 2 to refine the new design with several key changes.
I found that the ability to swipe back is one of the coolest navigation tweaks added to the Photos app since iOS 18. It makes navigation much faster and easier.
As I said at the beginning, I’m a big fan of the new design of the Photos app. While such a radical overhaul of one of the most widely used iPhone apps might come as a shock, I think Apple has struck a clever balance between personalization and curation.
The number one tip I give to others who are unhappy with the new Photos app is to take advantage of the customization options.
The new Photos app also includes one of Apple Intelligence’s most useful features: Cleanup. I found Cleanup to be a difficult and undeniable way to remove distractions from my photos, whether it be an object or a user that ruined my photo.
What do you think of the new design of the Photos app that iOS 18 brings?Has Apple addressed its considerations about upcoming software updates?What’s still on your list of things you hope will be fixed?Let us know in the comments!
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