Apple Restores Tabs in Photos App with iOS 26 Update
Apple listened to user feedback and brought tabs back to the Photos app in its latest iOS 26 update. The move follows widespread criticism of the redesign introduced in iOS 18.
Tabbed Interface Returns—But With a Twist
Craig Federighi, Apple’s Senior Vice President of Software Engineering, acknowledged user frustration during WWDC 25. “Many of you missed using tabs in the Photos app,” he said while introducing the update. In iOS 26, the app includes two new tabs: Library and Collections.
Library and Collections Tabs Explained
The Library tab simplifies photo browsing by organizing recent images in a familiar, scrollable layout.
The Collections tab groups favorites, albums, and search tools in one convenient place, offering easier navigation and better organization.
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iOS 18 Redesign Faced Backlash
When Apple overhauled the Photos app in iOS 18, users lost the ability to navigate easily through tabs. The company combined everything into a single, dense interface—prompting backlash.
Some developers even created third-party apps to mimic the older design, charging users for the familiar layout.
Photos Go 3D with Spatial Feature
Apple also introduced an eye-catching new feature: the ability to turn 2D photos into 3D spatial images.
This update draws inspiration from the Vision Pro spatial computing headset. iPhones with iOS 26 now display spatial photos directly on the updated Lock Screen.
Camera App Gets a Smarter Layout
The iOS 26 update doesn’t stop at Photos. Apple redesigned the Camera app to improve usability.
Now, users see their two most-used modes—Photo and Video—right on the main screen. Swiping left or right reveals additional options like Portrait Mode and Cinematic Mode.
Easy Access to Key Camera Settings
To adjust settings such as flash, timer, or aperture, users can swipe up from the bottom.
Apple also added a simple tap-to-switch feature for changing formats, making it easy to toggle between HD and 4K or modify video frame rates.
A Step Closer to User-Friendly Design
With these updates, Apple aims to rebuild trust with users who felt left out after the iOS 18 redesign.
The new tabbed layout and smarter tools in Photos and Camera signal a return to function-driven design—without sacrificing innovation.
Source : ( Techcrunch )
