Apple's Photos app is one of the most used applications on the iPhone for capturing and organizing memories. With iOS 18, Apple introduced extensive changes, but these were not well received by all users. Now Apple has responded to feedback with iOS 18.2 and introduced five crucial improvements that significantly improve usability and functionality.
With iOS 18.2, Apple has made numerous small but effective changes to the Photos app. The aim is not only to make the app more user-friendly but also to offer more control and convenience. If you use the Photos app regularly, you will quickly appreciate the new features. Here you can find out all about the five most important changes.
Videos now automatically start in full screen mode
One of the biggest complaints after the launch of iOS 18 was the way videos played. Instead of starting directly in full screen, videos initially appeared with borders and you had to touch the screen to enter full screen. Many found this unnecessary and inconvenient. With iOS 18.2, these problems are a thing of the past. Videos now automatically start in full screen, as most users expect. There is no longer an annoying zoom effect, and you can still hide the UI by tapping for a clear view.
Endless loops of videos can be deactivated
With iOS 18, Apple introduced a feature that automatically played videos in a loop. For many, this is convenient, but there are also users who find it annoying. iOS 18.2 now gives you the choice. In the settings under Photos, you'll find a new option called "Loop Videos." This is enabled by default, but you can disable it with a simple switch if you'd rather only play your videos once.
Swipe back instead of using the back button
Navigating within the Photos app was cumbersome under iOS 18, especially on devices with large displays. To go back from a view, you were forced to use the back button in the top left corner, which was often inconvenient on larger iPhones. With iOS 18.2, navigation is much easier. Apple has introduced a swipe gesture that allows you to simply swipe from the left side of the screen to the right to go back. This intuitive gesture is already familiar from other Apple apps and makes using the Photos app a bit more convenient.
Videos scrubbing with millisecond precision
Sometimes you want to look closely at a specific moment in a video or select a precise frame. With iOS 18.2, this is now possible. Scrubbing, i.e. fast-forwarding and rewinding a video, has been improved and now allows frame-by-frame scrubbing. The app also shows the timestamp in milliseconds when scrubbing, which gives you even greater accuracy. This function is ideal if you want to take a perfect screenshot or need to work precisely when editing videos.
Clear history in "Recently viewed" and "Recently shared"
With iOS 18, two new albums were integrated into the Photos app: "Recently Viewed" and "Recently Shared". They provide you with a handy overview of your recent activities and help you quickly access your most recently viewed or shared content. With iOS 18.2, you can now delete these histories. You have the option to remove individual entries by long-pressing on the desired item and selecting "Remove" from the menu. Alternatively, you can delete the entire history using the three-dot menu in the top right corner. This option not only keeps things organized but also gives you more control over your data.
iOS 18.2 noticeably improves the Photos app
With iOS 18.2, Apple shows that they are listening to their users' feedback. The changes in the Photos app are well thought out and improve the user experience in several places. From automatic full-screen playback to more control over history data - iOS 18.2 takes the Photos app to a new level. If you use the Photos app regularly, you will benefit from these new features:
- Videos automatically start in full screen mode.
- You can disable the looping feature for videos.
- Navigation is made more convenient with the new swipe gesture.
- Videos can now be scrubbed with millisecond precision.
- History data in “Recently Viewed” and “Recently Shared” can be deleted.
With these improvements, Apple shows that even small changes can make a big difference. iOS 18.2 and Co. are expected to be released to all users worldwide on Monday evening, December 9th. Are you looking for new accessories? Visit our Amazon Storefront – there you will find a variety of products from leading providers, including for HomeKit and more! (Image: Apple)
