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In iOS 27, Apple gave special attention to only a handful of apps – and the Photos app is one of them. Alongside noticeable performance improvements and numerous quality-of-life features, AI editing tools based on Apple Intelligence make their debut. That shifts what you can get out of an image directly on the iPhone.
Apple unveiled iOS 27 in early June alongside the rest of the software lineup at WWDC 2026, and the Photos app ranks among the apps with the most extensive changes. It now combines generative AI tools with classic management features such as star ratings, new folders, and more flexible Shared Albums. Some of the new features are available on nearly every current iPhone, while the AI section remains reserved for newer models.
New AI Tools for Photo Editing
At the heart of the new features is a set of AI editing tools. These can be accessed via the icon with the three sliders and then via the Apple Intelligence icon labeled "Tools." The functions are based on Apple Intelligence of the next generation They use generative models for image processing. What was previously known as Rumors about three new AI features for the Photos app What was circulating is now officially confirmed.
“Clean” removes objects more convincingly.
The familiar "Clean Up" tool in iOS 27 uses new AI models and removes objects much more reliably. While the original version delivered good results primarily with small elements and simple backgrounds, the new version also reconstructs more complex backgrounds using generative AI. Three modes are available: "Quick" works faster and is sufficient for simple corrections, "High Quality" delivers better results with highly detailed scenes, and "Auto" lets the Photos app decide which option is best.
“Expand” widens the image area.
The "Expand" function allows you to modify the image area after the fact: The edges of a photo are extended beyond the original content, enabling you to zoom in on the subject or adjust the image composition. Generative AI fills in the missing areas, and the edges can be adjusted with a pinch gesture. Apple also uses the same method to expand lock screen wallpapers that don't fit the display exactly.
“Realigning” changes the perspective
“Reorient” goes a step further, adjusting the perspective of a photo—for example, the angle at which a person or object is viewed. The tool uses the spatial information captured by the iPhone when taking a picture and combines it with AI to change the camera angle after the fact. The spatial data is used to adjust the subject, and the AI then fills in any missing pixels. The tool is operated by tapping and dragging for perspective adjustment and with two fingers for panning, zooming, or rotating.
Image Playground for Realistic Composites
Strictly speaking not part of the Photos app, but closely tied to it: photorealistic edits can be made via the Image Playground app. Anyone wanting to add a hat or an accessory to a friend's photo, for instance, can make it look realistic here. Specific areas of an image can be selected and edited using natural language, and there's also an option to combine multiple images. Use is free in principle, but with daily limits – additional capacity can be unlocked through iCloud+ plans.
Save a Single Frame from Videos
A small but practical addition: in iOS 27, a single frame from a video can be saved as a standalone photo. This removes the detour via screenshots or third-party apps when you want to pull a specific still frame out of a video recording.
Keywords and Star Ratings
Apple noticeably expands the management features of the Photos app. Photos and videos can now be tagged with keywords and star ratings. One to five stars can be assigned, after which the shots can be filtered by rating. This gives the library an organizational layer of the kind usually found in professional photo management software.
More Control Over Shared Albums
Bei der Album-Organisation hat Apple in iOS 27 ebenfalls nachgelegt, vor allem bei den geteilten Alben. Eine Übersicht der wichtigsten Änderungen:
| Feature | What changes |
|---|---|
| Filtering | Shared Albums can be filtered by photos or videos |
| Saving | Images from Shared Albums can be saved more easily |
| Expiration | Shared Albums can automatically expire after 30 days – handy for sharing without a permanent album |
| Inviting | A dedicated "Create Shared Album" option in each album menu simplifies the inviting process. |
| Upload link | A link lets others upload images, with new permissions requiring explicit approval |
| Activity log | Shared Albums keep a log of recent activity |
| Reactions | You can react to images with any emoji |
On top of that comes an opening beyond the Apple ecosystem: people with Android or Windows devices will also be able to contribute to iCloud albums in the future.
Slideshows from Any Album
Previously, slideshows were limited to the "Reminiscences" section – in iOS 27, you can create a slideshow from any album or photo collection. To do this, tap on an album, select the corresponding icon in the upper right corner, and then "Start Slideshow." Alternatively, you can select multiple photos from your library and follow the same steps. Slideshows can be customized with transition styles, the display duration per image, and background music. The finished file can be shared on social networks or saved as a video.
Two New Folders for Captures and Documents
The Photos app is getting two new folders in the "Other" section. "Taken by me" groups together all pictures taken with the Camera app on the current or a previous iPhone. "ID," on the other hand, gathers photos of passports, driver's licenses, and similar documents in one place—helpful if such images would otherwise get lost in the library.
iCloud Sync Right Away If You Want
In the Photos section of the settings, there's a new "Sync Immediately" option that prioritizes immediate uploads to iCloud for the current day. When this setting is enabled, iCloud Photos uploads new images as soon as they arrive in the library, instead of delaying uploads to conserve battery life. Additionally, photos and videos can now be added to shared iCloud albums in full resolution, in all common photo and video formats.
Further Detail Improvements
Beyond the major features, there's a range of smaller improvements that make everyday use of the Photos app smoother:
- For the background image „Photomix”, a specific pet can be selected.
- Search returns more appealing shots of people and pets in the top results.
- The "Collections" tab builds up faster.
- New captures from the Camera app appear in the Photos app more quickly.
- Your own shots can be included in Photo Shuffle.
- An option called "Show selection" in the library displays all selected photos so that their metadata can be edited.
Which iPhones Support the Features
The AI editing tools require devices that support Apple Intelligence – this includes the iPhone 15 Pro and newer models. The performance and management features, by contrast, are available on all devices running iOS 27, that is, from the iPhone 11 onward. Apple didn't drop a single model from support in this cycle: if you could use iOS 26, you'll get iOS 27 as well. This creates a clear divide – the full system including the convenience features for a broad device base, while the AI editing part is reserved for newer iPhones.
The Photos App Becomes an Editing Hub
With iOS 27, Apple shifts the focus of the Photos app: what used to be pure management increasingly becomes an editing and organization hub directly on the iPhone. The generative tools approach functions that previously required separate apps, while star ratings, new folders, and more flexible Shared Albums make the sheer volume of shots easier to handle. For owners of an Apple Intelligence-capable iPhone, the update is the most generous, but older models also benefit from the performance and convenience improvements.
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Frequently Asked Questions: The Photos App in iOS 27
New features include an improved "Clean Up" function for removing objects, "Expand" for expanding the image area after the fact, and "Reorient" for adjusting the perspective. All three are based on Apple Intelligence and utilize generative AI.
Yes. The AI tools run only on Apple Intelligence-capable devices, that is, from the iPhone 15 Pro onward. The remaining new features are available on all models from the iPhone 11 onward.
The tools in the Photos app itself are free. Image Playground can also be used for free, but it has daily limits – more capacity is available through iCloud+ plans.
Yes. In iOS 27, a single frame from a video can be saved directly as a standalone photo, without the detour via screenshots.
Shared Albums can be filtered by photos or videos, can expire after 30 days, keep an activity log, and allow emoji reactions. On top of that, Android and Windows users can contribute to iCloud albums for the first time.
Tap on any album, select the icon in the top right corner, and then "Start slideshow". Transitions, display duration, and background music can be adjusted, and the result can be saved as a video.
With it, iCloud Photos uploads new shots right away instead of delaying the upload to preserve battery life – useful when you want images available quickly across all your devices.
