How to Improve Photos Layout on iPhone with iOS 18: A Complete Guide

In this guide, Improve Photos Layout on iPhone with iOS 18, the new layout is complex and not user-friendly, which leaves many users wondering what has gone wrong. In case you can’t understand the new Photos app or you want to have the familiar one back, this guide will show you how to customize and enhance the Photos app layout on your iPhone.

What’s New in the iOS 18 Photos App?

The iOS 18 Photos app marks the start of the new interface, featuring:

• Redesigned Categories: Albums, Media Types, and Utilities are newly classified so that they are presented in a different order.
• New Sorting Options: Photos can be arranged according to the date they were included or other standards.
• Expanded Search Functionality: The search bar is now more robust and lets you look for pictures by keywords like “Selfies” or “Videos.”
• Hidden Albums: Some of the albums have been put under the expanded sections section.

Even though these strategies are aimed at improving the user experience, they still can be very annoying if you are used to the old layout. This is how you can tailor the Photos app to your tastes and requirements.

How to Customize and Reorder the Photos App Layout

Step 1: Open the Photos App

• Start the Photos app on your iPhone.

Step 2: Access Customization Settings

1. Scroll to the bottom of the Photos app.
2. Tap on “Customize & Reorder.”

Step 3: Uncheck Unnecessary Categories

To make it more straightforward, you should just click off all of the options above and leave the option below only (apart from Shared Albums if used)

• Media Types
• Utilities
• Albums
• (Optional: Keep ‘Shared Albums’ if you use this feature)

Step 4: Reorder Categories

1. Drag and drop the categories to arrange them in your preferred order.
2. For example, move ‘Utilities’ and ‘Media Types’ to the top for easier access.

Step 5: Adjust the Sorting Order

1. Scroll to the bottom of your camera roll.
2. Tap the opposite-direction arrows (a mysterious button at the bottom).
3. Select “Sort by Recently Added.”

Proceeding with these enhancements will result, to some extent, the quite familiar look from before in iOS 14 and, therefore, will make the tech more convenient for users.

Navigating the New Photos App Design

Expand Categories for Quick Access

1. Tap on ‘Media Type’ or ‘Utilities’ to expand hidden albums.
2. For example, to find screenshots, expand ‘Media Type’.

Use the Search Bar Efficiently

1. The search bar is a powerful tool in the Photos app.
2. Use keywords like “Selfies,” “Screenshots,” or “Videos” to quickly locate specific photos.

Enable ‘Shared Albums’ for Easy Access

1. If you frequently share photos, keep ‘Shared Albums’ enabled in the customization settings.
2. This ensures that shared content remains easily accessible.

Problem: Photos Appear Out of Order

1. Click on ‘Customize & Reorder‘, then choose the ‘Recently Added‘ option for sorting.
2. Make sure to go for ‘All Photos’ instead of ‘Recents’.

Problem: Certain Albums Are Missing

1. Click the ‘Albums’ tab.
2. Look beneath ‘Hidden & Recently Deleted’.
3. Expand ‘Utilities’ to open up special albums.

Problem: Unable to Find Favorite Photos

1. Touch on ‘Favorites’, which is in the Albums section.
2. Include a search bar for choosing ‘Favorites’ by using its keywords.

Additional Tips for a Better Photo Experience

Enable iCloud Photos for Seamless Access

1. Begin by going to Settings > Photos.
2. Switch on iCloud Photos so that you can have your entire photo library synced across all your devices.

Use the ‘For You’ Tab for Personalized Memories

1. For You, the tab is where the system puts together the stories you’ve lived.
2. For instance, it’s possible to explore your past photos and make photo collages with them.

Create Smart Albums for Better Organization

1. Once you are on the ‘Albums’ > ‘+’ > ‘New Album’ page, tap on ‘Albums’.
2. Type the name and add the photos to organize the whole process.

Final Thoughts

The Photos redesign in iOS 18 has changed a lot of things, but the possibility to customize it to your liking gives it a thumbs-up. By the way, how do you feel about moving categories in the app? Do you find it difficult, or do you have any tips from your own experience?

What do you think of the redesign of the Photos app in iOS 18? Would you better prefer the newer one to the older version? Let me hear what you think in the comments! Thank you!