Buzz
iOS 18 introduced a major overhaul to the Photos app, and this update has left me feeling a bit disoriented. Earlier today, I attempted to make some quick adjustments to my photos and annotate screenshots, only to find that the Edit button had vanished. This initially caused some frustration until I realized the clearly labeled Edit button had been relocated and replaced with an unfamiliar icon that doesn’t clearly suggest editing functionality. If you’re facing the same confusion, here’s how to locate the Edit button in the updated Photos app on your iPhone.
How to Find the Edit Button in iOS 18's Photos App
In the iOS 18 Photos app, the Edit button has been relocated to the bottom of the screen, positioned between the i and Trash icons. To find it, open any photo and search for an icon resembling an abacus. It took me some time to spot this button and even longer to connect it with photo editing (perhaps it’s meant to represent sliders?). While I understand Apple’s move away from text labels, I still prefer the iOS 17 Photos app, which featured a clearly labeled Edit button in the top-right corner, making it unmistakable and instantly recognizable. Hopefully, future updates will restore some of that simplicity.
The revamped Photos app lacks user-friendliness
My concerns with the updated Photos app extend beyond the Edit button. Apple has also integrated photos shared via iMessage into the main Photos feed, creating unnecessary clutter. Additionally, I’m not fond of the grid layout being the default view. Previously, the Photos app showcased featured photos as the default page, offering quick access to cherished memories or Apple’s auto-generated slideshows, such as those featuring pets or specific contacts. Now, everything is merged into a single view, making it more challenging to locate specific photos without extensive scrolling.
I hope Apple revisits this design to make the Photos app more user-friendly. While iOS 18’s Photos app looks sleek, it doesn’t feel like a significant improvement over its predecessor.
