How to Customize Photos App on iPhone

The Photos app received a major redesign in iOS 18, featuring a unified scrollable interface that replaces the previous tabs-based structure. However, the change failed to resonate with users worldwide. With iOS 26, Apple heeded users’ feedback and brought back the old tab-based structure but with a modern twist. 

The redesign separates the Photo Library and Collections into two different tabs. However, not every user may prefer the placement of elements in the Collections tab. Fortunately, Apple allows you to customize the Collections tab’s default view in the Photos app, making it more intuitive for your needs. Keep reading to learn how to customize the Photos app on your iPhone in iOS 26.

How to Customize the Photos App View on iPhone

Apple redesigned the Photos app to make navigation easier. However, the redesign focuses more on system-generated albums than what a user would want. Fortunately, Apple has prepared in advance for this situation and allows you to customize the default Photos app view to suit your fancy.

1. Open the Photos app and tap the Collections tab at the bottom. 
2. Next, scroll down to the bottom and tap Reorder. 
3. Now, drag any collection from its current position and drop it to its new position. 
4. Once you’re satisfied with the made changes, tap the Right Tick (Done) button at the top right corner.
   

How to Hide People in the People & Pets Section

The People and Pets section in the redesigned Photos app showcases a carousel view of headshot images of you and the people captured by facial recognition.

You can click on any Headshot to view a collection of images featuring that individual. However, you can hide headshots of particular individuals from this section, create a group of two or more individuals, or even add new individuals to the People and Pets section. Here’s how:

1. Open the Photos app and move to the Collections screen. 
2. Here, scroll down and tap People. 
3. Now, tap Edit at the top right corner and select the People you want to hide.
   
4. Once done, tap the three-dot button at the bottom right corner, then tap Hide in the pop-up menu.
5. Next, tap Hide from People Album in the confirmation prompt.
   
6. Alternatively, you can tap on Create New Group so that the photos of the selected individuals will appear in a single album.
7. To add new People to the People and Pets section, tap the “+” button at the top right corner.  
8. Next, select People from the available options and tap the Right Tick (Done) button at the top right corner.
   

How to Modify Pinned Collections in the Photos App

By default, the Pinned Collections in the Photos app comprises the albums the iOS thinks hold the most importance to you, but it may only hold true for some users. And if you are not among those users, you can modify the Pinned Collections to your convenience.

1. With the Photos app opened, move to the Collections screen. 
2. Here, scroll down and tap the Edit button next to Pinned Collection. 
3. Here, tap the – button before an album to remove it from the Pinned Collection. 
4. Alternatively, tap the + button before an album to add it to the Pinned Collection. 
5. Additionally, scroll down to the bottom and tap Add Collection or Album to add something other than the suggested collection.
   

How to Remove Photos From Featured Photos

The Feature Photos section includes images from various years featuring you and different people your iPhone selected to highlight. However, not all memories are worth celebrating. So, keeping that in mind, the Photos app allows you to remove photos from the Feature Photos album. Here’s how:

1. Open the Photos app and tap the Collections tab at the bottom.
2. Here, scroll down and tap on Featured Photos.
3. Next, tap the Select button at the top right corner and select the photos you want to remove from this collection.
   
4. Once done, tap the three-dot button at the top.
5. Now, tap Remove from Featured Photos in the contextual menu.
   

How to Reorder Items in The Media Types and Utilities Collections

If the default view of the Media Types or Utilities collections feels off to you, you can reorder the items according to your will. However, your iPhone must be running Requires iOS 18 or later to do so. Here’s how:

1. Move to the Collections tab in the Photos app.
2. Scroll down and tap Media Types or Utilities.
3. Here, tap the Edit button at the top right corner.
4. Now, drag and drop an item to change its position.
5. Once satisfied, tap the Right Tick (Done) button at the top right corner.
   

How to Disable the Recently Viewed & Shared Collections Under Utilities

While most of the collections under Utilities deserve their spot, the same can’t be said about the Recently Viewed and Recently Shared collections. On iOS 18.4 and later, you can disable Recently Viewed and Recently Shared from Photos settings. Here’s how:

1. Open Settings, scroll down and tap on Apps.
2. Here, locate and tap on Photos.
3. Now, toggled off Show Recently Viewed & Shared.
   

Signing Off…

While many users may still wish Apple would bring back the design from iOS 17, the Photos app overhaul in iOS 26 shows how much emphasis Apple places on users’ feedback and needs. Moreover, understanding the app’s customization options can help you appreciate the new design.

Read more:

• How to use Visual Look Up on your iPhone and iPad
• How to create a memory movie with Apple Intelligence on your iPhone
• How to Hide Photos and Videos