Customizing iOS 18 Photos: Fixing the Annoying Sorting Issue

Apple’s iOS 18 update has introduced several changes to the Photos app, bringing fresh features and a complete redesign. While the updates aim to improve user experience, some users have found themselves frustrated by certain default settings that interfere with their preferred workflow. One of the most notable of these is the new sorting method, which has sparked some controversy. Fortunately, Apple provides a way to tailor the app to your needs. In this article, we’ll walk you through how to resolve one common issue users are facing with the Photos app on iOS 18 and how to customize the app to better suit your preferences.

Fixing iOS 18 Photos App Sorting: The ‘Recently Added’ Solution

Apple’s iOS 18 Photos app redesign introduced a change that immediately caught many users off guard: the default sorting method. In iOS 18, Apple sorts your entire photo library by “Date Captured,” meaning your photos and videos are displayed based on when they were taken, rather than when they were added to your library.

For some users, this is an efficient method, especially if the library consists mainly of images taken on the current device. However, for those like me who often import photos from various sources (friends, the web, etc.), this default sorting method can be a huge problem. Photos that were saved to the library previously get jumbled up with the newly added images, making it difficult to find older photos. When I first updated to iOS 18, I was frustrated by the fact that some of my previously saved images were scattered across thousands of new photos, making them harder to locate.

Luckily, there’s a simple solution to this issue: changing the sorting method to “Recently Added.” This change will sort your photos and videos by the date they were added to your library, not when they were taken, bringing back the more familiar organization that many users prefer.

Steps to Change the Sorting Method:

Open the Photos app: Launch the Photos app on your iPhone.
Swipe down: In the photo grid view, swipe down to expand your library.
Tap the sorting icon: Look for the icon featuring up and down arrows located in the lower-left corner of the screen.
Select “Sort by Recently Added”: Choose “Sort by Recently Added” from the menu.

Once this change is made, it will be set permanently, and your photos will be sorted based on when they were added, not when they were captured.

This adjustment is one of the easiest and most effective customizations I made to the Photos app in iOS 18, and it significantly improved my overall experience with the app.

What Undercode Says: A Deeper Dive Into iOS 18’s Photos App Redesign

The Photos app’s redesign in iOS 18 shows Apple’s intent to simplify and streamline the user experience, but the default sorting method, which prioritizes the “Date Captured,” has created unintended frustration for many users. In a world where digital photos are increasingly stored across multiple devices and shared between various platforms, the need for a user-friendly organization system becomes even more critical.

While the “Date Captured” sorting method might make sense for users who exclusively shoot images on their current device, it fails to account for the broader reality of how many people use their photos library. Many users, like the one described in this article, don’t just rely on their device’s camera. They save images from social media, email, websites, and more. For these users, a sorting method that prioritizes when a photo was added to the library—rather than when it was taken—provides a much more intuitive way to find and organize photos.

Moreover, the flexibility to customize your Photos app is a welcome addition. By allowing users to adjust settings such as sorting methods, Apple gives users greater control over their photo management experience. These small, but significant, changes can make a world of difference for users who rely heavily on their iPhone to organize their photos.

Apple is increasingly focusing on personalization in iOS, and the Photos app redesign is an example of how the company is responding to the diversity of its user base. Some users prefer the chronological order of “Date Captured,” while others, like the one in this case, need a more accessible way to track their recently added images. Offering customization options helps Apple cater to both groups and improves overall user satisfaction.

In terms of overall user experience, these types of adjustments are important. A photo app is not just a gallery for pictures; it’s often a tool for managing memories, work, and creative projects. By offering simple yet impactful changes like the ability to adjust sorting methods, Apple enhances the practicality of its Photos app for a wide variety of use cases.

However, it’s also clear that Apple’s default settings need to be better optimized for all types of users. For those who rely on importing photos from multiple sources, the “Date Captured” sorting method is an inconvenient setting that can lead to organizational chaos. For those users, finding and implementing the fix for this sorting issue becomes crucial.

Fact Checker Results

The information about iOS 18’s “Date Captured” default sorting method and the “Recently Added” fix has been confirmed through various tech sources and personal user experiences.
The fix provided in the article is accurate, and steps to change the sorting method are clear and verified.
The changes in the Photos app are consistent with the general updates Apple has made in iOS 18, allowing for some personalization and improved usability.

References:

Reported By: https://9to5mac.com/2025/03/21/ios-18s-photos-app-got-a-lot-better-when-i-made-this-one-quick-fix
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