With the release of iOS 18, Apple introduced a significant redesign of the Photos app, leading to mixed reactions from users. While some appreciate the fresh look, many miss the simplicity and familiarity of the previous design in iOS 17. Though reverting to the old design is not an option, users can make various adjustments to improve the app’s functionality and customize it according to their preferences. This guide will walk you through optimising the Photos app experience on iOS 18, including organizing collections, adjusting sorting options, and hiding unwanted collections.
Customizing the Photos App Layout in iOS 18
Step-by-Step Guide to Access the “Customize and Reorder” Option
Apple has included a hidden customization feature in iOS 18’s Photos app, allowing users to adjust the order of collections and make the app more user-friendly. Follow these steps to access and use this feature:
- Open the Photos App: Launch the Photos app on your iPhone.
- Scroll to the Bottom: Navigate to the bottom of the Photos app screen.
- Tap on “Customize and Reorder”: Find and tap the “Customize and Reorder” button at the bottom.
- Reorder Collections: Use the drag-and-drop feature to rearrange collections according to your preference. For example, you can move frequently used collections like ‘Albums’ to the top.
- Hide Unnecessary Collections: Deselect collections you rarely use to streamline the app view.
- Tap the (X) Button: Close the customization screen and return to see your updated Photos app.
This feature allows you to tailor the Photos app to your needs, improving usability and making it more aligned with how you used the app in iOS 17.
How to Recreate the iOS 17 Photos App Experience in iOS 18
Even though iOS 18 has a different configuration, you can still achieve an iOS 17-like experience by showing only the necessary items. Here are the steps that must be followed in order to achieve the required:
- Customize and Reorder the Order: Using the Photos app, you can drop down and choose the option you prefer in Settings.
- Make all collections highlight only the collection(s) below: Fortuitously, you have intercept all collections, retain ‘Utilities’ and ‘Media Types’ only, and keep ‘Albums’ inactive.
- Shuffle the Rest Collections: You can then move ‘Stock Music’, ‘Stock Photos’, and ‘Stock Operating Systems’ to the top, while the collections that are used the most should be the first ones.
- Saving Changes: Use (X) button to do this and save your modifications.
This minor tweak eliminates the clutter, thus greatly helping users get used to the good old-fashioned system, when the interface was user-friendlier, and so one could move around the menu much more smoothly
Adjusting Sorting Options for a Better Photo Organization
Use “Sort by Recently Added” to Get the Camera Roll Back
One of the main features that has been changed with the arrival of the iOS 18 Photos app is that now you can only auto sort your photos by their creation dates instead of the traditional “Recently Added” order. To re-establish this Camera Roll-mode view, follow these steps:
- Open the Photos App: Make sure you are in the Photos Library.
- Scroll Down: Go to the icon that points back in the bottom left side.
- Touch the Pad: This switch will display the dialogue box highlighting the sorting abilities.
- Press “Sort by Recently Added”: By doing this, you will ensure that the new photos, whether it be through AirDrop, messages, or the internet, will be shown at the end of the Photos library.
By means of this attribute, subscribers are allowed to visualize their own photos which are the latest ones, the same way the Picture Gallery application was on the condition that it undergo a new design stage like photos reverted to the before design.
Hiding Unwanted Media Types to Streamline the Photos App
iOS 18 provides the option of hiding some media types, which lessens the visual clutter of the Photos app. This is especially beneficial to people who constantly do not require to gain fast access to the special collections. To hide media types:
- Go to “Customize and Reorder”: Do as instructed earlier to reach this unpublished feature.
- Do Not Use Unused Media Types: For instance, media types that you rarely use can be unchecked such as “Bursts” or “Live Photos”.
- Resort the Remaining Collections: Place the documentaries on the top to get them easily.
The fact that you can personally accommodate the customization will enable you to have a more clear and organized interface by having the picture treasures you are engaged in right at hand.
Additional Tips for Improving the Photos App Experience
Utilizing iCloud Photo Library Settings for Better Management
When you use the iCloud Photo Library, you can control the photo storage and file syncing process more efficiently after adjusting the settings:
- Enable Optimize iPhone Storage: Make room on your device in such a way that you store full-size photos in iCloud, and the rest on the iPhone.
- Deactivate Auto-Uploads of Certain Albums: You can be selective as to what gets uploaded to iCloud, by choosing some albums not to.
Customizing Photo Memories
The Photos app also allows the use of more customizable functions for “Memories” on iOS 18:
- Alter Memory Mixes: Select a new song as background music or a different theme for each memory.
- Remove Unwanted Photos: If you don’t want certain shots to be part of Memories, please, suggest Nintendo “Suggest Fewer Memories Like This.”
Conclusion: Get Most Out of iOS 18 Photos
Users who were bitten by the iOS 18 Photos app redesign bug may find it to be an epitome of the saying ‘distress first, and eustress ultimately’. There is always a solution to the problem that is seemingly simple. i.e these are trivial, and changing settings here and there and all that.lowing this guide.