Master the Photos App on Your iPhone with iOS 18: A Comprehensive Guide

The Photos app on your iPhone has gotten a fresh update with iOS 18, which is currently available in public beta. This new version of the app smartly organizes your photo collection into various themed groupings. But don’t worry if you’re not a fan of the default setup—you have the freedom to customize these collections to match your personal taste.

You'll still have access to the classic grid view of your photos, which can be sorted by years or months. The app now offers additional collections for specific categories like Recent Days, People, Memories, Albums, and Featured Photos, making it easier to find what you're looking for.

Switching between collections is as easy as swiping up and down on your screen. If you want to personalize your view, just scroll to the bottom and tweak the layout by removing or rearranging collections as you see fit.

To dive into this revamped Photos app, you’ll need to have the iOS 18 public beta installed on your iPhone. If you're eager to get started, check out the guide on how to download the iOS 18 public beta and see which iPhone models are compatible. If you're already on the initial beta, make sure to update to the third beta to experience the latest enhancements in the Photos app.

How to Use and Customize the Photos App in iOS 18

1. Open the Photos App

Once you've got iOS 18 installed, open the Photos app. You’ll see the familiar grid view of your library at the top. To get a broader perspective, pinch your fingers to zoom out. This allows you to navigate to a specific month or year. Spread your fingers to zoom back in on individual photos or a series of them.

2. View by Months or Years

You can switch your view to display photos by months or years. The All view shows all your photos sorted by date, from the oldest to the newest. Tap Years at the bottom to jump to a specific year, or tap Months to select a particular month and see its photos.

3. Sort or Filter Your Photos

In the regular view, hit the double arrow at the bottom to access sorting and filtering options. You can sort your library by 'Recently Added' or 'Date Captured'. Use the Filter option to narrow down your view to favorites, edited items, photos, videos, screenshots, or screen recordings. With 'View Options', you can zoom in or out, display photos in their actual aspect ratio, decide whether to include screenshots, and choose whether to show photos shared with you.

4. View Collections

Swipe down to explore the auto-generated collections such as Recent Days, Albums, People, Pinned Collections, Memories, Trips, Shared Albums, and Featured Photos.

5. View a Collection

Select a collection to see its contents. Navigate through the photos by swiping up and down or left and right, depending on the collection. Tap the X to exit the collection and return to the previous screen.

6. Sort and Filter a Collection

Just like with your main library, you can sort and filter photos within a collection. After opening a collection, tap the double arrow to access the menu. Sort by 'Oldest First', 'Newest First', or a custom date. You can also filter based on various categories and adjust the view to zoom or see photos in their actual aspect ratio.

7. Generate a Movie from a Collection of Photos

The Photos app can automatically create a movie from a series of photos in a collection. Open the collection and tap Movie at the bottom to start the playback with added titles and background music. You can pause or play by tapping the screen. To change the mood, swipe through the options to apply different filters and select alternative music. Use the ellipsis icon at the top to edit the movie, share it, or perform other actions. Tap the X to close the movie and return to the collection.

8. Select Photos

Select one or more photos to perform various actions. From the library screen, tap the Select button at the top and choose the photos you want. Use the iOS Share icon to send them via email, text message, AirDrop, or other methods. The trash can icon lets you delete them, while the bottom icon with an ellipsis in a circle offers options like copying, hiding, playing a slideshow, or adding to an album.

9. Remove or Reorder Your Collections

Customize your collections by removing or reordering them. Swipe down to the bottom of the screen and tap 'Customize & Reorder'. You'll see all the default collections listed. To remove a collection, tap the checkmark to deselect it, and it will disappear from your main screen.

To change the order, press and hold the three-lined hamburger icon next to a collection, then drag it to your preferred spot. The list will update to reflect your new arrangement. If you want to revert to the original order, tap Reset. Otherwise, tap X to go back to the main screen.