How to change iPhone photo app back to 'normal' after users complain about 'horrible' iOS update
If Apple's latest iOS update has left you feeling like you can't even look at pictures on your own phone, some tech-savvy heroes have come to the rescue with tips on how to make iPhone's Photos more like the app you're used to.
It's been a few days now since Apple released its iOS 18.1.1 update, following the original new iOS 18 launch in September, and in that time countless iPhone users have shared their frustrations and complaints over some of the changes made to their phones.
One particular point of contention is the Photos app, which has undergone changes that Apple assured would allow users to 'spend less time searching and more time enjoying your memories'.
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Photos are now organized by topics like 'Recent Days, Trips, People & Pets', and pinned collections to allow users to quickly find albums that are more important.
However, not all users are convinced by the new look, with one writing on Twitter: "I swear I spend five minutes searching for folders and favorites."
Another responded to say the changes were 'beyond horrible'.
Luckily, Apple has assured that the app can be customized, and iPhone users such as YouTuber The MacWhisperer Academy have shared tips on how that feature can be utilized to make the new app more like the old version.
'Pull down' on your photo library
The new Photos update means that the app opens up to a page which is half filled with the regular photo library, and half taken up by collections such as 'trips'.
However, if you scroll down on the page, the collections section disappears to reveal more of your photo library, making it look more like the old version of the app.
Distinguish between 'date captured' and 'recently added'
We're used to seeing the most recent photos we've taken right at the start of our photo library, but not every 'recent' photo is one that was captured in the last few days.
You might be putting together a throwback birthday collage for a friend, or feeling nostalgic and want to import photos from years ago onto your phone.
However, if your photos are arranged by 'date captured', these images will disappear into the back catalogue, hidden by the date and year they were taken.
To make sure everything you've recently uploaded to your photos is at the forefront of your app, hit the arrows button on the bottom left of the screen and click 'recently added'.
Reorder your Photos home screen
As well as scrolling down on the home screen to reveal more of your photo library, you can customize the home page of the app by scrolling all the way to the bottom and clicking 'customize and reorder'.
This button allows users to hide any sections from the home screen that might not be useful, for example 'Featured Photos' or 'Wallpaper Suggestions'.
You can also rearrange the sections to put those that are most useful to you at the very top.
iPhone users have praised those who have shared tips to make the app less complicated, with one person commenting: "OMG...thank you, I was going nuts trying to figure out all the changes!!!!!!!"
Another added: "WOW - it's almost like they want it to be easy, but forget to tell us HOW TO make it easy! THANK GOOOOOODNESS for the MACWHISPERER!!!!!"
Topics: Apple, iPhone, Technology, YouTube
Emily Brown