iOS 18 Photos App: Turn Frustration to Joy with These Secret Tweaks!

The release of iOS 18 has garnered widespread approval among iPhone enthusiasts, though the overhaul of the Photos app by Apple has sparked widespread debate.

Feedback from the TechRadar team and various Reddit discussions reveals a strong dislike towards the app’s revamped layout, particularly the removal of the bottom navigation bar, which was favored for its ease of access.

Apple has opted for a vertical scroll design, which many argue feels cumbersome and less intuitive. However, buried within the new interface are two useful customization options that mimic the familiar tabbed interface of the past.

To reorganize the app’s listing of photo groups, scroll down and select 'Customize & Reorder.' This feature allows users to prioritize collections such as 'Albums' and 'Recent Days' higher on the list for easier access.

Two iPhones on a pink and blue background showing the iOS Photos app

Reorganize your collections in the iOS 18 Photos app using the ‘Customize & Reorder’ feature to emulate the old navigation bar. (Image credit: Future / Apple)

Moving 'Pinned Collections' to the top of your list places it beneath your Photos feed, offering a quick navigation option reminiscent of the previous layout. Additionally, you can rearrange these pinned items by selecting 'Modify' to revive your favorite shortcuts like 'Albums.'

Two iPhones on a purple and blue background showing the iOS Photos app

Arrange your ‘Pinned Collections’ for an easy return to familiar navigation via ‘Modify.’ (Image credit: Future / Apple)

If rogue screenshots clutter your feed, they can be shuffled into a 'Screenshots' folder. Engage this by navigating upwards on the Photos app’s main page, click the up-down arrows, hit 'View Options,' and deactivate Screenshots. This step ensures a cleaner feed with fewer distractions.

These thoughtful alterations make the new Photos app less daunting and confusing. Although the app now sports a sleeker and more modern aesthetic, it comes at the cost of some users longing for simpler times. But along with this redesign comes the potential for a highly tailored user experience.

Many users, hesitant to upgrade due to the drastic Photos app update, might reconsider as Apple Intelligence features start to roll out. These are scheduled to arrive shortly in the U.S. and will be available in December for the UK and Australia, promising remarkable enhancements that could sway the doubters.