At WWDC 2024, Apple introduced radical updates to its Photos app for iOS 18, seemingly in an attempt to modernize the experience. It had good intentions, but these changes ended up seriously annoying users, including me. As I sat in the audience for WWDC 2025 at Apple’s campus in Cupertino, I was pleased to see that Apple is correcting this misstep for iOS 26.

Apple Photos before iOS 18 (Credit: Apple/PCMag)

Gone were the clear sections across the bottom of the app for Library, For You (for Memories, Shared Albums, and suggested edits), Albums, and Search. In its place was a sea of square thumbnails with some suggested groupings along the bottom, such as Recent Days and People.

Apple Photos in iOS 18 (Credit: Apple/PCMag)

When I first saw the iOS 18 Photos app, it struck me as extremely disorganized and somewhat radical. Apple has a history of making disruptive changes that later become the norm, but that wasn’t the case this time. The iOS 18 version’s interface was altogether unhelpful and light on structure.

Photos Meaningfully Improves for iOS 26

Apple hasn’t fully restored the pre-iOS 18 Photos interface in iOS 26, but it has at least reintroduced separate tab views for Collections and Libraries. At WWDC 2025, Apple’s senior vice president of software engineering, Craig Federighi, acknowledged the controversy with a few words: “Many of you missed using tabs in the Photos app.” I have to congratulate the company on acknowledging the error of its ways.

But mind you, it’s not a complete backtrack. Only two tab-view buttons will be in the app—Library and Collections—while a big, clear Search magnifying glass icon sits alongside them. Here’s how the new app looks:

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(Credit: Apple/PCMag)

I’m mostly concerned with iOS 26 here, but note that these buttons are at the top of the interface in the iPadOS 26 version of Photos, and that there’s a left-hand menu view with many more options. Naturally, iPads have a lot more real estate to work with, so those extra choices make sense. I actually prefer the simpler look of the iPhone’s new Photos interface, however.

Photos app in iPadOS 26 (Credit: Apple/PCMag)

The Camera App Gets Easier to Use

I haven’t heard many complaints about the iOS Camera app, but Apple revamped it anyway. The redesigned interface is clear and far less complex than in previous versions. (It’s simpler than the app for competing Samsung Galaxy phones, too.)

Camera app before iOS 26 (Credit: Apple/PCMag)

I often find myself hunting through shooting modes with an iPhone, even though I usually only want to switch between photo and video modes. The latest version puts those two modes at the forefront, seemingly as a reflection that this is the case for most of its users.

Camera app in iOS 26 (Credit: Apple/PCMag)

You can still swipe left to see more shooting options, however. And swiping up reveals controls for Aperture, Aspect, Flash, and more.

Camera app before iOS 26 (Credit: Apple/PCMag)

Thank You, Apple, for Listening to Your Users

Apple knows that the Camera and Photos apps are of paramount importance to iPhone users, and the changes it made to them for iOS 26 will serve its users well. In the case of Photos, it’s rare but admirable for the company to change course based on user feedback. No, Apple didn’t completely restore the old Photos interface, but a response to this criticism is still good to see.

WWDC 2025: Everything revealed in 10 minutes

About Michael Muchmore

Lead Software Analyst

PC hardware is nice, but it’s not much use without innovative software. I’ve been reviewing software for PCMag since 2008, and I still get a kick out of seeing what’s new in video and photo editing software, and how operating systems change over time. I was privileged to byline the cover story of the last print issue of PC Magazine, the Windows 7 review, and I’ve witnessed every Microsoft win and misstep up to the latest Windows 11.

Prior to my current role, I covered software and apps for ExtremeTech, and before that I headed up PCMag’s enterprise software team, but I’m happy to be back in the more accessible realm of consumer software. I’ve attended trade shows of Microsoft, Google, and Apple and written about all of them and their products.

I’m an avid bird photographer and traveler—I’ve been to 40 countries, many with great birds! Because I’m also a classical fan and former performer, I’ve reviewed streaming services that emphasize classical music.

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