Apple’s Pictures app obtained a main overhaul final yr, and iOS 26 brings a handful of recent modifications. Right here’s every little thing new coming to the Pictures app in iOS 26.
New Liquid Glass design
One of many largest modifications impacting all Apple apps this yr is iOS 26’s new ‘Liquid Glass’ design.
Within the Pictures app particularly, you’ll see Liquid Glass UI parts in all places from the buttons and navigation tabs to popup menus and extra.
Since your photographs and movies stay the visible focus of the app, Pictures’ use of Liquid Glass isn’t as in depth as another apps—nevertheless it’s nonetheless a pleasant refresh that’s onerous to overlook.
Tab bar navigation returns
Final yr when Apple overhauled the Pictures app in iOS 18, the one largest change concerned navigation. Gone was the tried-and-true tab bar. As a substitute, Apple went with a single-screen UI.
After dealing with loads of sad suggestions from customers, Apple has introduced tab bar navigation again to Pictures in iOS 26.
It’s not a full reversal to the precise setup pre-iOS 18, however Pictures navigation now could be a lot nearer to what it was earlier than with three tabs:
- Library
- Collections
- Search
Library works equally to older variations of the app, whereas Collections pulls collectively all the new, customizable sections launched in iOS 18.
Spatialize photographs
One of many standout options of visionOS 2 final yr was the flexibility to “spatialize” your photographs.
Now, iOS 26 brings that functionality to the iPhone through the Pictures app.
When viewing a photograph, there’s a brand new button within the top-right nook that permits you to view a ‘Spatial Scene’ model of the picture. Basically, it offers your photograph depth so you’ll be able to pan round to see completely different dimensions.
It’s a enjoyable trick contained in the Pictures app, however the place this characteristic shines most is in utilizing Spatial Scenes as your Lock Display screen wallpaper.
New customization settings
Inside the brand new Collections tab, Apple is giving customers much more customization choices than earlier than.
You can already totally customise and reorder which sections seem in your Pictures app, however iOS 26 provides:
- New view settings on your collections
- The choice to break down and develop particular person collections
For the previous, tapping the three dots on the prime of the Collections tab affords three view choices.
You can also make all collections uniform in dimension, both all small or all giant, or you’ll be able to keep on with the default which makes sure collections extra visually outstanding than others.
The power to break down sure sections quickly ought to make your Collections view simpler to navigate too.
Pictures in iOS 26: wrap-up
This yr’s Pictures replace reveals Apple pushing the app ahead whereas additionally utilizing iOS 26 to carry again some familiarity customers misplaced in iOS 18. It isn’t as feature-packed as final yr, however after the shock of that main overhaul, a yr of stability is likely to be what Pictures customers need most.
What do you consider iOS 26’s Pictures modifications? Tell us within the feedback.
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