Apple Brings Back Tabs to Photos App in iOS 26 After User Complaints
Apple users frustrated with the Photos app changes in iOS 18 can finally breathe a sigh of relief. With the release of iOS 26, Apple is reintroducing tabs to the Photos app—a highly requested feature that’s making a comeback after widespread backlash. This update responds to feedback from long-time iPhone users who missed the simpler, more organized experience that tabs offered. Now, Apple aims to blend modern design with usability by bringing back the Photos app tabs in iOS 26, improving how users navigate and organize their photo collections.
Why Apple Removed Tabs from the Photos App in iOS 18
When iOS 18 rolled out, Apple opted for a bold redesign of the Photos app, merging all navigation tools into a single-page interface. While visually streamlined, this change made it harder for users to find albums, favorites, and recent photos quickly. Complaints poured in from everyday users and power users alike, many of whom turned to third-party apps just to regain the previous tabbed layout. Developers even began marketing custom Photos app alternatives that mimicked the old interface, proving how deeply the design shift affected user behavior.
What’s New with the Photos App Tabs in iOS 26
Apple’s decision to reintroduce tabs in iOS 26 Photos app isn’t just a step backward—it’s a strategic improvement. Instead of reverting to the old look, the updated app now features two streamlined tabs: Library and Collections. The Library tab focuses on your latest photos, giving users a quick way to scroll through memories in chronological order. The Collections tab, meanwhile, organizes Albums, Favorites, and Search tools into a more intuitive view. Apple’s Craig Federighi even addressed the change at WWDC 2025, noting it was a direct response to user feedback.
iOS 26 Enhances Camera and Photo Features Beyond Just Tabs
The Photos app in iOS 26 isn’t just getting tabs back—it’s also embracing the future with spatial photo transformation. Inspired by the Vision Pro headset, this new feature lets users convert standard 2D images into 3D-like spatial photos for a more immersive viewing experience. Additionally, the Camera app now spotlights your most-used features (like Photo and Video) on the main screen, while advanced options like Portrait or Cinematic Mode are just a swipe away. Users can even switch formats—between HD and 4K, for example—with a single tap, simplifying the process of capturing professional-level content.
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