Apple’s camera roll becomes very intelligent in iOS 26. Although the initial buzz has focused on visual changes, there are practical upgrades in the photo application which aim to improve conviviality, and they are worth known.
A return to navigation to the tab
After the controversy around the arrangement of iOS 18 photos, Apple has reintroduced the navigation to the tab. In iOS 26, you will find two tabs at the top of the application: library and collections. The view of the library shows a familiar grid of all your images, while the collections bring together your content by organized categories such as memories, trips, and even more, all accessible in a clear and smooth switch interface.
Personalization of the arrangement of the flexible collection
Under the Collections tab, iOS 26 allows you to change how your albums appear. The “Plus” menu (three dimensions) includes layout options that allow you to display collections in different formats: a dominant tile at the top, uniform grids or larger icons in a 2 × 2 arrangement. This gives users better control over the visual hierarchy and the navigation style.
Recognition of events with intelligent context links
An offset addition, especially for event photographs, is the detection of intelligent events. When you consult an image taken during a concert or a sporting event, drag on this photo and you can see links to information on this event, as well as artists or related places. For example, a concert photo can show the date of the event, links to music in Apple Music and future performance, all drawn from photo metadata and external data sources.
Redesign made functional
Visually, the IOS 26 photos application corresponds to the wider liquid glass theme with a minimalist and translucent aesthetic. However, Apple has assured that the new design elements serve a function. The tabs shrink when scrolling and the layout is concentrated if necessary without compromising the readability or the navigation speed.
Why it matters
These changes seem subtle to the surface, but they go beyond purely visual adjustments. Apple responded to the problems of using the last major overhaul and added features rooted in the consciousness of the context. For many users, the tab view and the customizable arrangements could make the photos more intuitive, while the event link offers a precious context in your photo library.
The update offers a mixture of design refinement and practical improvements, which should appeal to users who want their collections to be better and work better.
