Apple Enhances Photos App in iOS 18.4 Update

Apple is set to release its iOS 18.4 update in April, and early beta testers have reported significant improvements to the Photos app. Following substantial changes made in iOS 18, which received mixed feedback, the new features aim to enhance user experience and address common concerns.

One of the key enhancements involves improved sorting options. Users can now filter their albums by the date of modification, which is particularly useful for those who frequently edit their images. Additionally, the naming conventions for views have been revised for better clarity.

Another feature allows users to easily access photos and videos shared with them through a new context menu. This functionality also enables users to select photos that are not currently organized into albums, facilitating the process of organizing their photo collections.

Privacy features have also been updated, allowing users to conceal albums containing recently viewed or shared photos and videos by default, rather than just hiding individual albums.

Apple has streamlined the process of deleting and restoring images, introducing a new 'Delete All' button for users to clear out their photo library with ease. Conversely, users can also restore all items in the trash with a single click, addressing a long-standing request from users.

The ongoing updates reflect Apple's commitment to refining the Photos app, showing responsiveness to user feedback. Initial reactions to the revamped interface were mixed, as many users found the new layout less intuitive compared to the previous version. It remains to be seen if further enhancements will be introduced with the anticipated iOS 18.5, which is expected in May.