iOS 26 Photos: Revamped Design, Spatial Scenes, and Enhanced Navigation

08/16/2025 Mobile Software

iOS 26 Photos App: A Fresh Look and Enhanced Features

As someone who relies heavily on my iPhone's camera, I'm always eager to see what improvements Apple brings to the Photos app. With iOS 26, it seems they've listened to user feedback and made some welcome changes. While iOS 18 tried a tab-less approach, iOS 26 brings back the familiar tab bar, giving us dedicated sections for our Library and Collections. It might seem like a small thing, but it makes a big difference in navigation.

One thing that always bothered me was the hidden filters in iOS 18. I couldn't seem to find it unless I was scrolling through. Thankfully, in iOS 26, they've made the filters more visible, along with a larger "Select" button. It's the little things like this that improve the overall user experience. The Library view remains similar to what we had in iOS 17, providing a clear overview of all our images and screenshots.

However, the Collections tab is where things get really interesting. You can now see more of your collections on a single screen. Sections like "People and Pets," "Memories," and "Trips" have dedicated views, making it easier to find what you're looking for. Plus, the "Media Types" and "Utilities" sections have larger, more distinct buttons, which is a nice touch. It's all about making things more intuitive.

Speaking of visuals, iOS 26 incorporates a "Liquid Glass" redesign, which is most noticeable in the Photos app. What this means for you is that the tab bar and buttons have a translucent look, allowing your photos to take center stage. It's a subtle but effective way to keep the focus on what matters: your memories. The rounded look that Apple adopted this year is also present in the Photos app, giving it a modern and clean feel.

But the real game-changer, in my opinion, is the new "Spatial Scenes" feature. This uses AI to add depth and motion to your photos, creating a 3D effect when you move your phone. Don't worry, this doesn't rely on Apple Intelligence, so anyone with an iPhone 12 or newer can enjoy it. To enable Spatial Scenes, just tap on the hexagon icon in the upper right corner of the image.

There's also a more noticeable "Reorder" button in the Collections section, which lets you rearrange your collections. Plus, you can now collapse collections to save space and customize the thumbnail view. Overall, iOS 26 brings a fresh and functional update to the Photos app, making it easier and more enjoyable to manage and relive your memories.