Photos are different again in iOS 18 – this is what you need to know

Apple has released a new test version of iOS 18, in which the Photos app looks different again. These changes have been implemented.

iOS 18 beta 5

There is a new test version of iOS 18 available! It is now the fifth beta, in which Apple introduces a number of new features. For example, you can temporarily hide parts of a website in Safari, the home screen is easier to customize and more applications have a dark mode. And that’s not all, because the Photos app is also getting a makeover in the new test version of iOS 18.

Also read: iOS 18 beta 5 is out – this is what’s new

In iOS 18, the Photos app gets a major update, with a new layout that you can personalize. A new part of the Photos app is the carousel, in which you switch between different albums and events. This way you can look back on a dinner on vacation or end up with your favorite photos and videos. Opinions about the feature were divided, which is why Apple chose to remove the carousel from the photo library in iOS 18 beta 5.

Photos app tweaked on iPhone

In the fifth test version of iOS 18, a function disappears with the carousel. You can find the collections and albums in the new beta when you scroll down in your photo library. That overview can be adjusted, so you can determine the order in which the albums appear in the Photos app. We also saw this function and layout in earlier test versions of iOS 18, so nothing has changed there.

That is probably also the reason why Apple decided to remove the carousel, because you can already find the same functions at the bottom of the photo library. The carousel was therefore redundant. Moreover, the function caused confusion among users who unintentionally swiped left or right when viewing the photo library. In that case, it was not immediately clear how the carousel could be closed again.

Release of iOS 18

By removing the carousel, Apple is trying to make the Photos app a bit more organized in iOS 18. The public test version of iOS 18 is already available to all users, so everyone can already get started with (some of) the new functions. Important features such as Apple Intelligence will only be available later in Europe, Apple is expected to release the AI ​​functions here in 2025.

Also read: These six new features will come to your AirPods Pro 2 with iOS 18

We don’t have to wait much longer for the final version of iOS 18, because the update will be released next month. Apple will present the iPhone 16, Apple Watch Series 10, Apple Watch Ultra 3 and the Apple Watch SE 2024 in early September. New software such as iOS 18 and watchOS 11 will also be available then. Do you want to know more about iOS 18 now? Then read here which functions are coming to your iPhone!