iOS 18.2 brings handy new features to Photos app

Apple’s iOS 18.2 update introduces several helpful upgrades to the Photos app, making photo management easier and more organised. 

While not as extensive as the Photos redesign from iOS 18, these updates include new tools for organising folders, managing video playback, and sorting albums.

Gadinsider has compiled various step-by-step guides for exploring the new features.

Clear recently viewed and recently shared folders

The Recently Viewed and Recently Shared folders in the Utilities section store your recently accessed and shared images. Here’s how to manage them:

1. Open the Photos app.
2. Scroll to the Utilities section and select either Recently Viewed or Recently Shared.
3. Tap the More button (circle with three dots) in the top-right corner.
4. Choose Remove All to clear the entire folder.
5. Tap and hold a specific photo.

Select Remove from Recently Viewed or Remove from Recently Shared to delete it from the folder without affecting the main library.

Turn off auto-looping for videos

By default, videos in your library play on a loop. With iOS 18.2, you can stop this auto-looping:

1. Go to your iPhone’s Settings.
2. Scroll down and tap on Photos under the Apps section.
3. Scroll to the Loop Videos toggle.
4. Slide the toggle to off to disable auto-looping for videos in your Photos library.

Sort albums alphabetically

If your albums feel disorganised, iOS 18.2 makes it easy to arrange them alphabetically:

1. Open the Photos app and navigate to the Albums section.
2. Tap the More button (circle with three dots) in the top-right corner.
3. Select Sort by Name from the pop-up menu.
4. Your albums will now be listed alphabetically.

These updates in iOS 18.2 enhance the Photos app's usability, helping you keep your photo library organised and efficient. Whether it’s clearing out cluttered folders, controlling video playback, or sorting albums, these changes make managing your memories easier.