Apple Reinstates Tabs in Photos App with iOS 26 Following User Feedback

Following user feedback regarding the Photos app redesign in iOS 18, Apple has refined the app’s interface in its latest operating system, iOS 26. This update, unveiled at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC 25), reintroduces a tabbed interface to the Photos app, though with a modernized design.

Craig Federighi, Apple’s Senior Vice President of Software Engineering, acknowledged the user demand for the return of tabs during the WWDC keynote. “Many of you missed using tabs in the Photos app,” he stated, effectively recognizing the previous design’s shortcomings. The updated app now features distinct tabs for “Library” and “Collections,” streamlining photo organization and navigation.

The “Collections” tab aggregates favorites and albums, while also providing search functionality across the entire photo library. The “Library” tab offers an easily scrollable view of recent photos, catering to users who prefer the previous interface.

The initial redesign in iOS 18 consolidated all photo interactions onto a single page, leading to user dissatisfaction. Some developers even created third-party apps that replicated the older, more familiar interface.

In addition to the tabbed interface, iOS 26 introduces a feature that transforms 2D photos into 3D spatial photos, accessible on the iPhone’s updated Lock Screen. This feature draws inspiration from Apple’s Vision Pro spatial computing headset, enhancing the depth and immersion of photo viewing.

The Camera app in iOS 26 has also been updated to improve usability. The two most frequently used capture modes, photo and video, are prominently displayed on the main screen. Users can swipe to access additional modes such as Portrait Mode and Cinematic Mode. Furthermore, settings like flash, timer, and aperture can be accessed by swiping up from the bottom of the screen. The update also facilitates easy switching between HD and 4K resolution and adjustments to video frame rates.

These updates reflect Apple’s commitment to responding to user feedback and continuously improving the user experience across its ecosystem.