iOS 18 Photos Management Alternative [2025 Updated]
"As you know, the Photos app on iOS 18 is broken. The ability to view recent (Camera Roll) photos as an album was removed, which is an essential feature. What is the best replacement? The replacement app should be able to view albums and treat the Camera Roll as a separate album. Suggestions are welcome. Thanks."
- From Apple Support Community
Every time Apple releases a new iOS update, there's always one feature that stirs up controversy. This year, that hot topic is the Photos app. Usually, iOS updates make small tweaks to the app without making drastic changes. But this time, Apple completely revamped the Photos app and it stirred up quite a bit of controversy.
There's no doubt that the redesign is radical. Let's take a closer look at what's changed. Also, if you don't like the new update, we've found a great alternative to the Photos app in iOS 18 for you.
Part 1: Major Changes for the iOS 18 Photos App
The Photos app in iOS 18 comes with a fresh new look and major improvements that make browsing and organizing photos easier than ever. Let's take a look at what's new!
1. A More Unified Design
Apple has redesigned the Photos app with a cleaner, more streamlined interface. The familiar tab bar at the bottom is gone, replaced by a single, seamless scrolling experience. This change makes navigating through your photos feel smoother and more intuitive.
2. Effortless Scrolling
Instead of tapping through different sections, you can now explore all your photos with one continuous scroll. This makes it faster and more convenient to find the images you're looking for without jumping between menus.
3. Smarter Photo Organization
- Quick Access Grid: At the top, you'll see a grid of your most recent photos for easy access.
- Organized Collections: Below that, your photos are neatly grouped into collections, helping you find older pictures without endless scrolling.
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Part 2: New Features of iOS 18 Photos Management
The iOS 18 Photos app brings major updates, and people have mixed feelings about the changes. Some love the cleaner look and new features, while others find it a bit of an adjustment. Here's what's different:
A More Unified Layout
Instead of separate tabs like "For You" and "Albums," everything is now in one place, making navigation easier. The main photo grid shows around 30 images at once, and you can swipe to zoom in or out. While the "Years" and "Months" views are still there, the "Days" view has been replaced by a "Recent Days Collection", which highlights your latest photos.
Better Filters and Sorting Options
Swiping down in the library brings up new ways to filter and organize your photos. You can sort by "Recently Added" or "Date Captured," and apply filters to show only "Favorites, Edited photos, Videos, or Screenshots." (Does Restoring iPhone Delete Photos?)
Smarter Photo Collections
iOS 18 introduces "Collections", which automatically group photos based on themes like location, people, or events. Here are some key ones:
- Recent Days: Displays your most recent photos.
- Albums: Shows all your albums, including shared ones.
- People & Pets: Uses AI to sort pictures of people and pets.
- Memories: Creates slideshows from your photos.
- Trips: Organizes travel photos by location and year.
You can also customize the order of these collections or "pin" your favorites for quick access.
Easier Photo Editing
Editing photos is now faster and more intuitive. Instead of tapping "Edit," you now tap an icon with "three sliders" to open editing tools. Other key features, like "Share, Delete, Copy, and Duplicate", are still in the same place. (Guide to Remove Duplicate Photos on iPhone)
Memory Maker: Create Instant Photo Movies
This new tool lets you turn your photos and videos into short movies. Just type a phrase like "Family Vacation" or "Weekend Hike," and the app will create a memory with a beginning, middle, and end. You can "add music, adjust the timeline, and share it easily."
Clean Up: Remove Background Clutter
Coming soon, the "Clean Up" feature will let you erase unwanted objects from your photos with a single tap. It uses AI to remove distractions and make your pictures look better.
Image Playground: Fun with AI-Generated Photos
Another upcoming feature, "Image Playground", will allow you to generate custom images using text prompts. You can even create fun edits featuring your friends and family.
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Part 3: User Reviews for iOS 18 Photo Management
As people start using the redesigned iOS 18 Photos app, their opinions are rolling in. Let's see how these updates impact everyday photo management and whether the new customization options are truly user-friendly.
What Users Love
Many users are excited about the fresh, modern look of the Photos app. The AI-powered editing tools make it much easier to enhance pictures with just a few taps. The new single-scroll interface is also a big plus for organizing large photo collections, making browsing smoother and more efficient.
Concerns About Usability
Not everyone is thrilled with the changes. Some users miss the traditional tab bar, which made it easy to switch between albums and shared photos. The single-scroll design, while innovative, might feel less intuitive at first, especially for those used to the old layout.
Mixed Reactions to Customization
The new customization options have sparked different reactions. Some users love having more control over how they organize and display their photos. Others, however, feel overwhelmed by the many settings. There's also concern that the AI-driven features might be too complex for less tech-savvy users, making them harder to take full advantage of.
In the end, iOS 18's Photos app redesign brings both excitement and challenges. While the smarter tools and streamlined navigation offer clear benefits, some users may need time to adjust.
Part 4: The Best Alternative to the iOS 18 Photos Manager
iOS 18 brings many new features, but some users may find it lacking in photo management. If you're looking for a more flexible and powerful way to handle photos, MobiKin Assistant for iOS is a good choice.
Unlike the built-in Photos app in iOS 18, Assistant for iOS can easily transfer, backup, and organize your photos. You can quickly move photos from iPhone to Mac or PC while maintaining their original quality. This is especially useful for users with large photo collections or those who need a reliable backup solution.
More practical features of Assistant for iOS:
- Move photos, contacts, and messages between iPhone and computer with just one click.
- Back up your data, preview it, and restore only the data you need.
- Photos remain in full resolution with no quality loss when transferred to PC or Mac.
- Easy-to-use interface, manage files without complicated steps.
- Effortlessly delete unnecessary photos from your iPhone with just one click.
- Compatible with an extensive range of iOS devices, including iPhone 16/15/14/13/12/11/X/8/7/6, iPod touch, iPad, and beyond.
- Rest assured knowing that your privacy remains intact as it ensures non-disclosure of your personal information.
Steps to transfer iOS 18 photos from iPhone to PC using Assistant for iOS:
Step 1. After downloading and installing MobiKin Assistant for iOS on your PC or Mac, you need to connect your iPhone to the software.
Step 2. Once your device is properly connected, go to the main interface and select "Photos" from the left column to let the software quickly detect all the photos and albums on your device.
Step 3. Preview and select the photos you want to transfer, then click the "Export" button above. Once you start the export process, all your iOS 18 images (whether taken by your device or obtained from the Internet) will be automatically transferred to your computer.
A video guide of transferring photos from iPhone to computer:
Final Words
As Apple continues to improve iOS 18 with new AI features and updates for photos, some users may still need a more flexible solution. MobiKin Assistant for iOS is a great alternative for those who want an easy-to-use, all-in-one tool for managing their photos.
Whether you want to transfer, organize, or edit your photos, it has everything you need while keeping the original quality intact. If you're looking for more control over your photo management, Assistant for iOS is definitely worth considering.
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