Apple Brings Back Tabbed Navigation in Photos App with iOS 26

Apple’s latest move to enhance the user experience in iOS 26 has brought back a familiar and much-requested feature to the Photos app—tabbed navigation. This design shift addresses the widespread dissatisfaction with iOS 18’s Photos app redesign. Let’s explore what this change means for iPhone users and how it impacts the usability of one of the most-used apps on iPhones.

The Return of Tabbed Navigation: What’s New in iOS 26

With the release of iOS 26, Apple has made a design reversal by reintroducing tabbed navigation to the Photos app. For many long-time users, this is a welcomed update. At the WWDC 2025 keynote, Apple unveiled the return of separate tabs for “Library” and “Collections” within the Photos app. This change addresses user complaints from iOS 18, which replaced the tabbed interface with a more minimalist, single-screen design.

The redesign in iOS 18 was a bold move by Apple, but it did not go down well with many iPhone users. The removal of the tab bar, which had been a staple of the Photos app, was seen as a step backward by users who found the new interface harder to navigate and cluttered. The previous layout made it more challenging to organize and browse photos efficiently.

Apple listened to user feedback, and with iOS 26, the Photos app now sports a cleaner, more intuitive interface. The return of separate tabs for Library and Collections allows users to more easily organize and find their photos. The “Library” tab now fills the entire screen for a wider view of images, while the “Collections” tab neatly organizes albums, memories, and curated content in a dedicated space. This clear distinction between sections makes the Photos app not only more functional but also more user-friendly.

In addition to the tabbed interface, iOS 26 introduces an exciting new feature: spatial photo transformations. With this feature, users can convert 2D images into 3D spatial photos, similar to the effect seen with Apple’s Vision Pro. This enhancement allows for a richer, more immersive photo experience, bringing photos to life like never before.

What Undercode Say: User-Centered Design Leads the Way

The return of tabbed navigation in iOS 26 is a testament to Apple’s commitment to listening to user feedback and refining its software to better serve their needs. The decision to revert to a tabbed layout addresses concerns about usability that were voiced by many after iOS 18’s changes. What makes this update particularly noteworthy is that Apple isn’t just pushing new features but is also acknowledging that a major overhaul doesn’t always lead to a better user experience.

By restoring the familiar structure of separate tabs for “Library” and “Collections,” Apple has provided users with a sense of familiarity, which can improve the overall app experience. The “Library” tab now takes up the full screen, making photos appear larger and more engaging. This change also enhances the organization of content, giving users a more streamlined and less cluttered way to browse through their photos.

Moreover, the inclusion of the spatial photo transformation feature adds a layer of excitement to the Photos app, aligning with Apple’s trend of introducing cutting-edge, immersive experiences. Spatial photos represent a forward-thinking approach to mobile photography, and this could signal a shift in how users interact with their photo libraries on iOS devices.

Overall, iOS 26’s changes to the Photos app exemplify Apple’s ability to balance innovation with user experience. The combination of user feedback, sleek design, and new features creates a product that is both intuitive and forward-thinking, meeting the needs of today’s photo-centric user base.

Fact Checker Results ✅

Tabbed navigation reintroduction: True. iOS 26 restores separate tabs for Library and Collections, improving navigation.
iOS 18 redesign feedback: True. The changes in iOS 18, particularly the removal of the tab bar, led to significant user complaints.
Spatial photo transformations: True. iOS 26 introduces the ability to convert 2D images into 3D spatial photos, similar to the Vision Pro.

Prediction 📱

Looking ahead, the introduction of spatial photo transformations hints at a broader trend in iOS, one that will likely focus on enhancing media interactions and integrating more immersive, 3D experiences. As Apple continues to refine the Photos app, we can expect further advancements in photo and video editing features, possibly integrating even more augmented reality elements. The increased focus on spatial features also aligns with the company’s larger vision for the future of immersive technology, suggesting that the Photos app might become a more dynamic and interactive hub for managing and viewing media.