As a result, third-party photo editors and cloud storage apps can save images automatically and consistently in the background, without relying on workarounds or waiting for users to reopen them, 9to5Mac points out.
Previously, many photo apps depended on users reopening the app or used unstable tricks that often crashed due to weak connectivity or when iOS paused background tasks.
With the iOS 26.1 update, the operating system itself now takes over the process, automatically handling downloads. That means fewer frozen queues and far fewer “open the app to finish saving” messages, noted The Mac Observer.
Apple highlights that the feature supports smarter background processing, automatic retries, and power-efficient scheduling to keep backups consistent without draining battery.
Developers have already noted that the feature is unique to iOS 26.1, and early reports indicate that it will roll out with the public version of the update. That means the feature is expected soon, not reserved for a future long-term roadmap, The Mac Observer said.
In its detailed documentation, Apple describes the steps that developers will need to follow to use this new feature. The process involves setting up and activating the PhotoKit extension, creating and managing download tasks, handling failed transfer attempts, and marking downloads completed. Developers should also consider extension shutdowns and energy efficiency throughout the workflow.
