Apple has officially unveiled the iOS and iPadOS 26 update for a variety of iPhone and iPad models. Beyond the shiny new branding of Liquid Glass, this update introduces a range of exciting features and modifications. In this article, we delve into the redesigned Photos app in iOS 26 and share our hands-on impressions based on the initial developer beta version.
This marks the second consecutive year of significant transformations to the Photos app by Apple. Following the removal of its tabbed interface in the previous version, which was replaced with a single scrollable view that prioritized the Library, Apple appears to have taken user feedback seriously by reintroducing a tabbed layout in iOS 26.
Revamped Photos App: A Return to Tabs
The revised Photos app now features two primary tabs in the main view: Library and Collections. This change aims to enhance user experience by providing clearer navigation options. The Library tab displays images and videos in a familiar grid format, fostering easy scrolling through your media collection. As you scroll, the Library and Collection buttons dynamically transform to showcase the “Years, ” “Months, ” and “All” options, allowing for a versatile viewing experience.
Notably, the entire layout has received a polished look. Among the modifications, significant buttons such as the “View Options” have been relocated to the top right corner, while the “Search” function is conveniently positioned in the bottom right corner of the app, facilitating one-handed use of the iPhone.
For comparative reference, here’s how the options in the Photos app appeared in iOS 18:
Innovative Features: Introducing Spatial Scene
A standout feature of the updated Photos app is the Spatial Scene functionality. When viewing an image, tapping the Spatial Scene button at the top right activates a 3D transformation of the image. Users can tilt their devices to experience the image from various angles, effectively adding a new dimension to their memories. This feature is compatible with both recent captures and older images, although it does not apply to videos or screenshots taken on the device.
Moreover, users can explore individual collection categories to reveal their contents, using a drop-down interface with ease. The Collections tab now offers customizable layout options via a three-dot menu, enhancing the ability to organize and view media efficiently.
Improvements in User Experience
The new Photos app reduces clutter through its collapsible Collections categories, making navigation more intuitive. Importantly, the app remembers previously expanded categories, ensuring that users can pick up where they left off during their last session. Additionally, it recalls whether you were in the Library or Collections tab upon reopening the app.
Caveats of the New Interface
While the revamped Photos app embraces a nostalgic aesthetic, it sacrifices a few beneficial features from its predecessor. The streamlined single-scroll interface of iOS 18 allowed quick access to collections like Screenshots and Videos, which has now become less accessible.
Previously, users could easily monitor sync progress at the bottom of the Library. However, in iOS 26, this information is somewhat concealed within the profile picture icon in the Collections tab, requiring additional clicks to access your iCloud sync status. While it’s possible that this change was intended to declutter the interface, it diminishes the immediate visibility of an important feature for those with unstable internet connectivity.
Additionally, users have expressed a desire for a swipe functionality between different collections—a feature that was eliminated in earlier versions but could enhance usability for quickly accessing media types or utilities.
As iOS 26 is still in the beta development stage, further changes to the Photos app may unfold with subsequent updates. Anticipation builds for the first public beta release, slated for July. Early adopters can experiment with the developer beta now; however, note that the build may exhibit instability or bugs.
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