iOS 18 confirmed to offer single-screen layout to customise Photos app

Users can find your photos automatically organised into thoughtful themes, like Recent Days
An undated image showing Photos app interface — Apple
An undated image showing Photos app interface — Apple

The iOS 18 public beta introduces major updates to the Photos app, redesigning how users interact with their digital memories. 

The recent update is specifically exciting for anyone who clicks plenty of images. As the latest iOS update, iOS 18, is about to be released, you will see a new single-screen layout that includes all your pictures, albums, and memories in one place. 

Read more: iOS 18's new 'Recovered' album to restore pictures, videos

Gadinsider has got you all the new collection features, which neatly group pictures based on factors like recent weddings or frequent companions. 

Photos app's fresh new look in iOS 18 

Once you launch the upgraded Photos app in iOS 18, the main screen offers a streamlined view that mixes your similar photo grid with new collections. This revamped layout makes browsing your entire photo library more intuitive, letting you easily switch between individual photos and organised groups of pictures. 

Smarter photo groups

The Collections feature in your Photos app has received a major update. Currently, you'll find your photos automatically organised into thoughtful themes, like Recent Days. 

This new feature generates a curated album of your latest snaps, making it easy to revisit your most recent memories. 

Photos or movies

You can select two viewing modes in the Recent Days album: "Photos" for a gallery view, or "Movie" for a slideshow-like experience. 

Read more: Apple Messages app got major upgrades in iOS 18

One of the most thrilling features of the Recent Days 'Movie' mode is its customisation options. To personalise your memories, click the music icon in the bottom left corner to access 'Memory Mixes'. 

Customise movies

Once in the Memory collection, you can choose your movie's soundtrack by tapping the music note icon in the bottom right. If you need to change the visual mood, click the three-circle icon to explore Memory Looks, where you can apply various filters to your video. 

Build collections

Returning to the main page, iOS 18 unveiled a customisable carousel view that prominently shows your photo collections. You'll find it populated with photos of your favourite people, memorable places, and more. 

To create new themed collections, tap the plus (+) button next to each category option. You can create collections like 'Selfies', 'Map', or 'Memories'. You can see all your collections by swiping left or tapping Pinned Collections for an expanded view.