As part of iOS 18, Apple unveiled the biggest-ever redesign to the Photos app. With a single-pane interface, the new Photos app highlights collections and curation while being fully customizable to your liking.
However, the launch of the Photos app has proven to be polarizing. While I’ve been a fan of it since its inception, Apple has made several tweaks in the upcoming iOS 18 updates to address some of the most common complaints. It also added several notable new features.
When it debuted at WWDC in June, the Photos app redesign featured an ambitious carousel interface. This view allowed users to swipe left and right to see daily updated highlights featuring people, pets, favorite places, and more.
However, Apple abandoned this carousel view entirely with iOS 18 beta 5 in August. This is the most significant structural update Apple has made in the redesign of the Photos app.
iOS 18.1 was the first major update to iOS 18. it focused primarily on the rollout of Apple Intelligence features, including changes 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’ve found the ability to swipe to go back to be one of the most useful navigational changes introduced to the Photos app since iOS 18. It makes navigation significantly 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 people upset 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 your considerations for upcoming software updates? What’s still on your list of things you’re hoping to get fixed? Let us know in the comments!
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