Update on iOS 26: Alterations to the Photos app on your iPhone detailed - discover the distinct variations.
Redesigning Photos App in iOS 26: A Much-Needed Change
The latest iteration of your iPhone's operating system, iOS 26, is shaking things up, and not just with its sleek Liquid Glass design or exciting features like Call Screening and Hold Assist. The Photos app, the hub of your precious memories and endless screengrabs, is getting a redesign - again. After just a year since the last overhaul in iOS 18, it's worth asking, why the sudden change?
The redesign of the Photos app in iOS 18 came almost 10 years after its debut, and while it promised a more streamlined, customizable experience, it garnered criticism for removing navigation tabs and obscuring previously easy-to-find elements. The single-page design, though visually appealing, could feel cluttered and less intuitive[6].
But unlike other parts of the OS, the Photos app is getting another makeover. Following user feedback, Apple is aiming to rectify the issues with the previous redesign by reintroducing a more familiar design with separate tabs for the Library and Collections[6][7]. The layout is simplified, and animations have been enhanced to provide a cleaner and more user-friendly interface, combining the best elements from previous versions[8][9].
It's encouraging to see Apple address these concerns so quickly, demonstrating a commitment to listening to user feedback and improving its software offerings continuously[9]. It gives hope that any software hiccups, like the Butterfly Keyboard on MacBooks, will be rectified in a timely manner.
With iOS 26 still fresh and feature-rich, from the revamped Messages and Camera apps to the addition of Live Translation and Spatial Scenes, the familiar-looking Photos app might be just the motivation we need to finally declutter our photo galleries and say goodbye to those long-forgotten screengrabs of phones from years gone by.
More from Tom's Guide:
- The Liquid Glass Design in iOS 26: A Glimpse into the Future
- iPhone 17 vs iPhone 17 Pro: A Clash of Displays
- Galaxy S25: A Design Flaw Exposed - What You Should Know
[6] iOS 18's Photos App Redesign: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
[7] iOS 26: A Cleaner and More User-Friendly Photos App
[8] The Key Differences in iOS 26's Redesigned Photos App
[9] Apple Addresses iOS 26 Photos App Feedback for a Better User Experience
- The redesign of the Photos app in iOS 26 not only aims to rectify the issues faced with the previous version but also incorporates user feedback to give a more familiar look, with separate tabs for Library and Collections, aimed at providing a cleaner and more user-friendly interface.
- The Photos app's redesign in iOS 26, along with the other feature-rich updates, serves as a reminder for users to declutter their photo galleries, demonstrating Apple's commitment to continually improve its software offerings and incorporate technology that better serves its users.
