Latest news with #PhotosApp
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
iOS 26 Photos — here's the biggest upgrades for your iPhone
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Much of the talk about the iPhone Photos app in iOS 26 has centered around the ongoing design tweaks to your photos library that Apple is offering up in its latest software. And while that's understandable, there are a couple of other changes coming to Photos in iOS 26 — and I think they really add a lot to the app. But first, about that design update. As you may remember, iOS 18 introduced a sweeping new look to the app that essentially stacked your library on top of collections, albums and other organization tools in Photos. While I got used to the look over time, it clearly wasn't a universally popular change, as Apple is back at it with a Photos design update for iOS 26. Now, there are Library and Collections tabs in iOS 26 Photos, and you tap them to toggle between the two sections of the app. It certainly saves you from the seemingly endless scrolling you had to do to navigate in iOS 18 Photos, and I appreciate how those tabs do shrink out of view with a downward scroll. But that new design is only part of the story with iOS 26 Photos. The other big changes add new features and functionality to the app, and as a result, I think they'll be a whole lot less divisive. The Collections view now has extended customization tools that lets you change the display size. And the Photos app is getting smart enough to recognize events like concerts and sports, pulling information about that event right into the app. Let's talk about each of these iOS 26 Photos changes and where you can find them in the app. Customize the collection layout in Photos If you remember from iOS 18, you could already customize the layout of the Photos app, rearranging the order things like Memories, Trips, Recent Days and other various collections appeared in the app. All you had to do is scroll to the bottom of the Photos app on your iPhone and tap Customize & Reorder to rearrange things on the subsequent screen. That's still possible in iOS 26 Photos, though now the button at the bottom of the Collections tab is called Reorder. But you gain other organizational skills in the new iPhone software, and you access them by tapping the More menu — those three dots — at the top of the screen. When you do, a pop-up menu will appear with different options like Customize, which will take you to the same place as the Reorder option at the bottom of the screen. There are also controls for switching between personal and shared photo libraries and collapsing all your collections into a single list. But it's the three icons at the top of that pop-up menu that have captured my attention. Because they're the ones that allow you to change the layout of your various collections. The first option — represented by an icon with a block on top of three dots — is the default look for collections. It prioritizes the collection at the top of the screen — Memories in my case — while shrinking down the size of subsequent collections beneath it. It's a good look if there's a particular collection you like to highlight above all others. The middle option features an icon with a 3x3 grid of dots. Tap that and all your collections will appear in the same size. The final option, an icon with a 2x2 grid, looks a lot like the middle option, only with the collections appearing with larger thumbnails. Admittedly, it's not an extensive list of layout options. I'd like to see one where you can alternate between a prominent box and a smaller line — or even better, squeezing more than one collection on the same line so there's not as much vertical scrolling. But as a proof of concept for changing up the look of Photos in iOS 26, it's a good start. View event details in Photos If you take photos at a concert or sporting event, the Photos app will now include extra information that you can access from within your photos library. For instance, last September, I chaperoned my daughter when she and a friend went to a Gracie Abrams concert. When I swipe up from a photo from that event to see information about the image — location, date and other metadata — there's now a link to the event itself. In the instance of that Gracie Abrams concert, the link takes me to an info page with the date and location of the concert. But there's also links to Gracie Abrams' music, as well as a direct link to the Apple Music app on my phone if I want to play or purchase some of the songs. Further down the screen, there's a list of upcoming events — in this case additional Gracie Abrams performances. The feature works for sporting events, too, though there's less to see at this point. I can jump to information pages about college football games and baseball games I've been, too, but there's no score data, and the listed upcoming games are either not there or not particularly relevant. On the info screen for a Cal-UNLV football game I attended in December, the Upcoming Events section lists every college football game being played at the end of August, not just the ones featuring the two teams I watched. It also looks like event information is limited to major sports leagues. I've attended matches for the Oakland Roots, a second-division soccer team near me, and there's no event info curated for photos from those outings. I don't want this to come across like I'm complaining — just an acknowledgement that this is very much a feature still in beta, like the rest of iOS 26. I think the fact that Apple is building this feature into Photos adds value — especially since it involves no effort on my part. Photos outlook Whether you're a fan of the evolving look of Photos or not, you have to appreciate Apple's attempts to fine-tune the app and put more control in users' hands. It's definitely worth checking out once you install iOS 26 on your iPhone, whether that's via the public beta coming out this month or the full release arriving later this year. More from Tom's Guide I've been testing iOS 26 for a month — 5 tips you need to know before trying the public beta iOS 26 Messages: 7 biggest changes you need to know 8 more states are getting Apple Wallet digital driver's licenses — see if yours is on the list
CNET
09-07-2025
- CNET
My Quick Fix for the 3 Most Frustrating iOS 18 Settings on Your iPhone
Apple's WWDC made a ton of announcements with the liquid glass redesign and iOS 26 being the stars. As an avid iPhone user, there are a couple of things I'm stoked about, but there's a few new iOS 18 settings that I definitely can do without. As someone who thoroughly reads phone manuals, I consider myself an expert in how to make phones work the way you want them to. The latest iOS 18 updates have many things I can appreciate but there are three features I really wish Apple fixed. However, until they do, here's what I did and you can too. Especially if these three iOS 18 features bother you as much as they do me. For more, check out the nine hidden iOS 18 features you should definitely know about. Now Playing: WWDC 2025: Everything Revealed in 10 Minutes 09:37 Get rid of all the clutter from the Photos app on iOS 18 OK, I'll straight out say it, I really don't like the overhaul that Apple has given the Photos app on iOS 18. I understand what it's going for but it feels awfully cluttered by default. I don't want my main camera roll constantly reminding me of vacations or suggestions for wallpapers with photos and videos I'm not looking for. Fortunately, Apple does give you the option to customize the Photos app to your heart's desire. When you open the Photos app for the first time, you'll see a grid of all your photos and videos, which is the library view you're used to, but at the bottom, you'll notice the navigation bar is gone, and instead replaced with collections for photos and videos you've taken recently and have of friends, family and pets. This is what the camera roll looks like now on iOS 18. Screenshots by Nelson Aguilar/CNET If you swipe down, you'll continue to see random collections and albums, like pinned collections, shared albums, memories, trips, featured photos and wallpaper suggestions, all of which used to live in the Albums and For You tabs. Now they're all in one place on iOS 18, which is the main view. While that may be useful to some, I don't need to see all of it at once. I just want to see my camera roll and some albums. To customize the Photos app, swipe all the way down to the bottom and tap Customize and Reorder. Here you can uncheck any collections you wish to hide from the main view. You can also organize the order in which they appear. I don't want wallpaper suggestions and most of the other options so I unchecked everything but Media Types (organizes your media into videos, live photos, etc.) and Utilities (albums for hidden, recently deleted, receipts, documents and so on). You can remove or keep as many collections and albums as you like but, for me, the less the better. Screenshots by Nelson Aguilar/CNET Of course, you'll no longer be able to see the collections that Apple has created for you and several other albums as well. But if you don't use them, you're better off this way because you can still find any photo or video you want by going through your camera roll or using the search button at the top. This is what my camera roll looks like after I removed all the clutter. Screenshots by Nelson Aguilar/CNET Remove all the new Control Center pages on iOS 18 I use the Control Center all the time -- to quickly connect to Wi-FI, enable Do Not Disturb, turn on dark mode or low battery mode and discover new songs with the music recognition control. However, with iOS 18, Apple expanded how the Control Center is designed and it now has multiple pages of controls, some premade and others you can create yourself. The things is, I don't need multiple Control Center pages -- I just need the one. I don't want the clutter of multiple pages because I can fit all the controls I need on a single page. But that's not the only issue. I also find that when I now try to swipe out of the Control Center, I end up accidentally scrolling through the Control Center pages, and so I get stuck ... and annoyed. Above you can see the normal Control Center (left) and the new pages (middle and right). Screenshots by Nelson Aguilar/CNET As luck has it, there's an easy way to get the Control Center to look like it used to, with only a single page. In the Control Center, which you can access by swiping down from the top-right of your screen, swipe up to access the additional pages and press your finger down on any blank part of the page. This will highlight the control -- hit the remove control button (-) at the top-left to get rid of the control and the page. Do this for any other extra Control Center pages you have, until you only have the main Control Center. Once you remove the extra Control Center pages, you'll no longer see the page icons on the center-left. Screenshot by Nelson Aguilar/CNET Now when you try to swipe out from the Control Center, you'll no longer get stuck in the other pages. Instead, you'll be able to easily exit like before. Stop accidentally triggering Siri on iOS The big AI upgrade to Siri came with the release of iOS 18.2. Instead of the Siri orb that you're used to, the edges of your iPhone screen will now glow with various colors when the assistant is listening to you. It's a welcome design change but one aspect of the new ChatGPT-powered Siri keeps annoying me. If you double tap at the bottom center of your iPhone, the Type to Siri feature appears. This allows you to type, instead of speak, to Siri, bringing up a keyboard at the bottom of your screen. It's a useful feature if you're in a situation where you need to be discreet but I always seem to enable the feature by accident, especially when I'm tapping or swiping around my phone. There is a way to disable Type to Siri though, without completely disabling the assistant. In Settings, go to Apple Intelligence & Siri > Talk & Type to Siri and toggle off Type to Siri. Siri still won't get full AI capabilities for a little while. Nelson Aguilar/CNET For more, check out how to cut through muddy movie dialogue with this new iOS 18 audio feature.
Geeky Gadgets
07-07-2025
- Geeky Gadgets
Recover Deleted Photos: iPhone & iPad Complete Guide
Losing photos or videos on your iPhone or iPad can be a frustrating experience, but Apple provides a built-in solution to help you retrieve them. The 'Recently Deleted' album in the Photos app is specifically designed to temporarily store deleted items for up to 30 days, giving you a chance to recover them before they are permanently erased. By following a few simple steps in the video below from Apple, you can restore your cherished memories quickly and efficiently. Watch this video on YouTube. Step 1: Locate the 'Recently Deleted' Album Begin by opening the Photos app on your iPhone or iPad. Scroll down to the 'Utilities' section, where you'll find the 'Recently Deleted' album. This folder acts as a temporary holding space for deleted photos and videos, making sure you have a window of time to recover them. The album is organized to display all recently deleted items, making it easy to locate the content you wish to restore. Step 2: Authenticate for Secure Access To maintain your privacy and prevent unauthorized access, the 'Recently Deleted' album is protected by your device's security settings. Depending on your iPhone or iPad configuration, you will need to authenticate using one of the following methods: Face ID: If enabled, simply glance at your device to unlock the album. If enabled, simply glance at your device to unlock the album. Touch ID: Use your fingerprint to gain access. Use your fingerprint to gain access. Passcode: Enter your device's passcode if biometric authentication is not available. This security measure ensures that only authorized users can view or recover deleted content, safeguarding your personal data. Step 3: Understand the Time Limit Each item in the 'Recently Deleted' album is labeled with the number of days remaining before it is permanently deleted. This countdown provides a clear deadline for recovery, giving you ample time to act. If you notice an important photo or video nearing the end of its retention period, it's essential to restore it promptly to avoid losing it forever. The time limit is a helpful feature that encourages timely action while offering flexibility for decision-making. Step 4: Recover Deleted Photos or Videos Once you've accessed the 'Recently Deleted' album, you can recover specific items or restore all deleted content at once. Follow these steps to retrieve your photos or videos: To recover an individual photo or video: Select the photo or video you want to restore. Tap the 'More' button (represented by three dots or an ellipsis). Choose 'Recover' and confirm your selection to restore the item. To recover all items: Tap 'Recover All' at the bottom of the album. Confirm the action to restore all photos and videos in the folder. This process is straightforward and ensures that your deleted content is returned to its rightful place in your photo library. Step 5: Find Restored Items After recovering your photos or videos, they will automatically return to their original location in your main photo library. This means they will reappear in the same albums or chronological order as before deletion. For example, if a photo was part of a specific album, it will be restored to that album. Similarly, if it was organized by date, it will be placed back in the appropriate timeline, making it easy to locate and enjoy your recovered content. Tips to Avoid Future Accidental Deletions To reduce the likelihood of losing important photos or videos in the future, consider implementing these best practices: Organize your photo library: Create albums for specific events, trips, or categories to keep your content well-structured and easy to manage. Create albums for specific events, trips, or categories to keep your content well-structured and easy to manage. Back up your photos regularly: Use iCloud or another secure storage solution to ensure your memories are safe, even if your device is lost or damaged. Use iCloud or another secure storage solution to ensure your memories are safe, even if your device is lost or damaged. Review the 'Recently Deleted' album periodically: Make it a habit to check this folder to ensure no important items are overlooked or accidentally deleted permanently. By adopting these habits, you can better protect your photos and videos while maintaining an organized and secure library. Effortless Recovery with the 'Recently Deleted' Album The 'Recently Deleted' album in the Photos app is a valuable tool for recovering deleted photos and videos on your iPhone or iPad. By understanding how to locate the album, authenticate securely, and act within the time-based deletion window, you can restore your content with ease. Whether you're recovering a single cherished memory or an entire collection of photos, this feature ensures that your important moments are never truly lost. With a few simple steps and proactive habits, you can safeguard your memories and enjoy peace of mind knowing they are always within reach. Browse through more resources below from our in-depth content covering more areas on Photo recovery iPhone. Source & Image Credit: Apple Support Filed Under: Apple, Apple iPad, Apple iPhone, Guides Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
Geeky Gadgets
04-07-2025
- Geeky Gadgets
iOS 26 Gathers Momentum: Deep Dive into the Latest Betas & Features
iOS 26 introduces a wide array of new features, design refinements, and performance upgrades aimed at enhancing the user experience. However, as with any early beta release, it comes with its share of challenges, such as overheating issues and inconsistent battery performance. If you're considering testing the beta, understanding its current state and potential improvements is essential to making an informed decision. The video below from iReviews gives us more details on iOS 26 and its range of features. Watch this video on YouTube. Notable Features and Design Improvements iOS 26 brings several updates designed to improve usability, functionality, and overall efficiency. These standout features aim to simplify everyday tasks and provide users with greater control over their devices: Photos App: Advanced editing tools now allow for precise image adjustments, giving users more creative control. Enhanced animations make navigating large photo libraries smoother and more intuitive. Advanced editing tools now allow for precise image adjustments, giving users more creative control. Enhanced animations make navigating large photo libraries smoother and more intuitive. Preview App: A brand-new addition to iOS, this app enables users to crop, flip, and access detailed metadata for images directly on their devices, eliminating the need for third-party tools. A brand-new addition to iOS, this app enables users to crop, flip, and access detailed metadata for images directly on their devices, eliminating the need for third-party tools. Podcast App: Playback speeds can now be customized on a show-by-show basis, offering a more personalized listening experience tailored to individual preferences. Playback speeds can now be customized on a show-by-show basis, offering a more personalized listening experience tailored to individual preferences. Mail App: A redesigned interface prominently displays unread email counts, making it easier to manage inboxes and prioritize important messages. A redesigned interface prominently displays unread email counts, making it easier to manage inboxes and prioritize important messages. Keyboard Settings: A revamped layout simplifies customization, improving typing efficiency and making it easier to personalize the keyboard to suit your needs. These updates reflect Apple's commitment to refining its ecosystem, making sure that users can perform tasks more efficiently while enjoying a seamless experience. Performance Enhancements and Current Challenges iOS 26 demonstrates clear performance improvements, with higher Geekbench scores indicating faster processing speeds and smoother multitasking. However, these gains come with certain trade-offs that beta testers should be aware of: Overheating: Many users have reported that devices tend to run hotter than usual during prolonged use, which could affect usability and potentially impact hardware longevity. Many users have reported that devices tend to run hotter than usual during prolonged use, which could affect usability and potentially impact hardware longevity. Battery Life: While some bugs affecting battery performance have been addressed, others persist, leading to inconsistent results. This may pose challenges for users who rely heavily on their devices throughout the day. These issues highlight the risks associated with early adoption, particularly for those who depend on their devices for critical tasks. While the beta offers a glimpse into the future of iOS, it may not yet be suitable for primary devices. Beta Release Schedule and Expectations The iOS 26 beta program is progressing steadily, with several key milestones on the horizon. These updates are expected to address existing issues and improve overall stability: Beta 3: Scheduled for release around July 7, this version is anticipated to resolve some of the current bugs, including those related to overheating and battery performance. Scheduled for release around July 7, this version is anticipated to resolve some of the current bugs, including those related to overheating and battery performance. Public Beta: Expected to launch on July 14 or 15, the public beta typically offers enhanced stability and performance, making it a safer choice for users who prioritize reliability. For those eager to explore iOS 26, waiting for the public beta may be the most prudent option. This version is likely to provide a more polished experience while minimizing disruptions. Recommendations for Beta Testers Testing the iOS 26 beta can be an exciting opportunity to explore new features before the official release. However, it's important to approach the process with caution to avoid unnecessary complications. Consider the following recommendations: Use a Secondary Device: Early beta versions are often unstable and prone to bugs, making them unsuitable for primary devices that you rely on daily. Early beta versions are often unstable and prone to bugs, making them unsuitable for primary devices that you rely on daily. Wait for the Public Beta: If stability and reliability are priorities, the public beta is a safer option, as it typically addresses many of the critical issues found in earlier releases. If stability and reliability are priorities, the public beta is a safer option, as it typically addresses many of the critical issues found in earlier releases. Stay Updated: Regularly check for updates and user feedback to stay informed about the beta's progress and any newly discovered issues. By following these guidelines, you can enjoy the benefits of testing iOS 26 while minimizing potential risks to your device's functionality. Looking Ahead iOS 26 represents a significant step forward, offering innovative features and performance enhancements that aim to redefine the user experience. While the current beta stage highlights some challenges, such as overheating and battery inconsistencies, these are expected to improve as the beta program progresses. By staying informed and exercising caution, you can make the most of what iOS 26 has to offer while avoiding unnecessary disruptions. Expand your understanding of iOS 26 features with additional resources from our extensive library of articles. Source & Image Credit: iReviews Filed Under: Apple, Apple iPhone, Top News Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
Phone Arena
02-07-2025
- Phone Arena
Google announces changes to Photos app and iOS users will see them first
The Google Photos app is getting updated with three big changes. The first is support for a dynamic light mode. Instead of always viewing photos with a black background, Google Photos will use the light mode or dark mode background that you have set for your device's system theme. So if you have your phone set on light mode, your photos will be shown to you in the Photos app with a light background. Those of you enjoying the current black background can make sure your devices will show the black background by having your device set for dark mode. Did you ever want to find the date, time, and location where and when a particular photo was shot? Currently, getting this information requires you to swipe up from the bottom of the picture. You'll see the day, date, and location where the photo was taken. You'll also see which phone the image was snapped on, the camera settings, and the amount of storage used to store it on-device. The date, time, and location where a photo was shot are seen above the photo. | Image credit-Google The update, date, time, and the location where you took the picture on your display will be shown above the photo. This will make it a lot easier for you to access this information. And lastly, the three dot-menu in the right corner is getting some new features such as: About Google Lens Create (let's you create a collage, Cinematic photo, or Highlight video) Cast Save As (for Live or Motion photos) Download or delete from the device There will also be a new contextual three-dot menu available on select images making it easier to manage burst shots and stack shots. You'll be able to change the first, top photo from the stack, remove images from the stack, unstack, or take batch actions by using multi-select. Interactive badges will appear in Photo view giving you the ability to: Change the photo's category Play or pause a Live or Motion photo Save a shared photo to your library Back up the photo or manage storage options All previous functionality remains the same. The "Add to" button will help you arrange photos into albums. move them into your Locked Folder, or have selected photos archived. Another big Google Photos update is coming soon to the app's Editor. Changes will be seen in the three-dot menu in the top right corner of the app. | Image credit-Google The revised Google Photos is rolling out now but for iOS only. The updated Google Photos for Android will be released soon. Secure your connection now at a bargain price! We may earn a commission if you make a purchase Check Out The Offer
