Apple has unveiled the biggest-ever redesign to the Photos app as part of its iOS 18 update, introducing a single-pane interface that highlights collections and curation while offering full customization. However, the rollout proved polarizing, prompting Apple to address common complaints through subsequent updates.
Initially, the new Photos app featured an ambitious Carousel interface, which allowed users to swipe left and right to view daily highlights and favorite people, places, and things. However, with iOS 18 beta 5, Apple abandoned this design altogether, marking a significant structural change.
Subsequent updates, such as iOS 18.1, focused on incorporating Apple Intelligence features into the Photos app. This included changes like Photos search, which allows users to find photos by describing what they’re looking for, and Clean Up, which removes distractions from pictures.
iOS 18.2 refined the design with improvements such as video viewing capabilities and navigational enhancements. These updates have made navigation faster and easier, particularly with the introduction of swipe-to-go-back functionality.
While some may still be upset about the new Photos app redesign, Apple has struck a good balance between customization and curation. A key tip for those unhappy with the design is to utilize its customization options, such as Customizing & Reorder, which allows users to pick and choose the specific order of options and hide unwanted ones.
Apple’s AI-powered Clean Up feature has also been praised for its ability to remove distractions from pictures. With iOS 18, Apple continues to address user concerns through software updates, leaving fans eager to see what’s next on their list of things to be fixed.
Source: https://9to5mac.com/2024/12/20/ios-18-photos-app-changes-2