Albums make a large Photos library easier to browse without moving or duplicating the original files. A photo can appear in multiple albums while still living in the main library, so you can organize by trip, person, project, event, or anything else that helps you find it later.
This covers personal albums in the built-in Photos app. Shared Albums are separate because other people can view or contribute to them.
Does This Affect You?
Use this if your library has become one long scroll and you want groups you can name, rearrange, rename, or delete safely.
Create a New Album
- Open Photos and tap Albums.
- Tap the plus button in the top-left corner.
- Choose New Album.
- Enter a name and tap Save.
- Select the photos you want to include.
- Tap Add.
The album appears under My Albums. Adding a photo to an album does not remove it from the library or from other albums.
Add Photos Later and Use Folders
- To add one photo, open it, tap Share, choose Add to Album, and pick the album.
- To add several photos, tap Select, choose them, tap Share, and use Add to Album.
- To group albums, return to Albums, tap the plus button, and choose New Folder.
- Name the folder, then move related albums into it or use the Add Albums option if shown.
Manage Albums Safely
Reorder or Rename
Touch and hold an album thumbnail to move it. Touch and hold an album and choose Rename to change its title.
Delete an Album
Touch and hold the album and choose Delete Album. This removes the album container only; the photos remain in your library and any other albums that reference them.
Storage Use
Putting one photo in several albums does not multiply its storage. Albums point to existing library items rather than creating extra copies.
Automatic Albums
People, Places, Screenshots, Videos, Selfies, and similar media-type albums are generated by Photos and cannot always be renamed or deleted like custom albums.
Sources
- Apple Support: Create albums in Photos on iPhone
- Apple Support: Use folders to organize albums in Photos
- Apple Support: Add photos and videos to an album on iPhone