Organize your Photos into Personal Albums On the iPhone (iOS 18)

Organizing Photos with Personal Albums

The Photos app on the iPhone makes it easy to organize your pictures and videos using what are called personal albums. These are albums you create for your own use—they are not shared with others. With personal albums, you can group photos together by theme, trip, or any category you choose, and keep your photo library easier to manage.

Designed for iOS 18 and Later

If you’re using iOS 18 or later, you’ll notice the Photos app looks quite different. Apple redesigned the interface, so some features may not appear the same if you’re on an earlier version. This explanation is based on the latest iOS 18 update and may not match what you see if you’re still using iOS 17 or before.

Finding Albums in the Photos App

To get started, open the Photos app and look for the Collections section. This area appears below your full photo library and includes things like favorites, screenshots, and albums. When you swipe up in this area, you’ll find your personal albums listed. These albums sync across your Apple devices through iCloud, so you’ll see them on your iPhone, iPad, and Mac—but no one else will.

Creating a New Album

To create a new personal album, tap on the “Albums” section. Then, look for a “Create” button near the top of the screen. Tap this and select “New Album.” You’ll be asked to give it a name. For example, if you took a recent trip to Disney, you might name it “Disney 2025.” After naming the album, tap “Add Photos” to begin placing pictures and videos into it.

Choosing Photos for the Album

Once you’ve created the album, you can scroll through your photo library and choose the images you want to include. Simply tap each one to select it. When you’re finished selecting, the photos are added to your album—but don’t worry, the originals remain in your library. You’re not moving the photos, just grouping them together for easier access.

Wrap Up

Using personal albums in the Photos app is a simple and useful way to keep your photo collection organized. Whether you’re saving vacation memories or grouping family events, albums help you find and enjoy your photos more easily. And because they’re personal, only you can see them across your devices.