iPhone Photos: Folders, Albums, and How to Edit Them

The Photos app on iOS on the Apple iPhone offers various options for organizing images, photos and videos so that you don't always have to search through the entire media library. But what is the difference between a folder and an album? What is the best way to create folders and albums and how can you edit them? You can find answers to these questions in this guide. If you still have a question or do you want to contribute your own tips and tricks, please leave a comment;)

Further instructions: Hide photos and hide "Hidden" folder

iPhone Photos App: You can find the difference between album and folder here. There are also instructions for creating and editing folders and albums on iOS.

iPhone Photos App: Difference Between Album and Folder

The difference between a folder and an album in the Photos app is really easy to explain: albums contain photos, and folders contain albums. To make it a bit more complicated, however, folders can also contain other folders: D In general, however, you can remember the following structure for organizing your pictures and videos on the iPhone:

Folders -> Albums -> Files

For example, you can create a folder with the title “Family” and store various albums in it such as “Child 1 from birth to now”, “Family celebration ABC”, “Wedding XYZ” and so on. Or you can create a folder called "Memes" and sort your memes into albums such as "Animal Pictures", "Videos", "Movie Scenes", "GIFs" and so on. There are no limits to creativity here.

Instructions: Create an album in the iPhone Photos app

If you have different photo and video recordings on your iPhone that you want to organize, then albums are a good option. To create an album for certain files, simply follow the step-by-step instructions below:

1. Opens the Photos app on the Apple iPhone
2. Select the "Albums" tab below
3. Then tap on the plus symbol "+" in the top left
4. Now you tap on "New album"
5. Assign a name for the album and tap on "Save"

After this process, you will see your media overview, from which you can choose photos, pictures and videos that you want to include in the new album. If you have selected it and confirmed the selection, then you are done. The album has been created, the content has been recorded and you can now quickly select it via the album overview.

Edit photo albums on iOS: rename, delete and more

In order to manage your albums in the Photos app on the Apple iPhone, the path leads you again via the "Albums" tab. Tap on this and then proceed as follows:

1. At the top right, tap on "Show all"
2. Then tap on "Edit" at the top right
3. Zum Rename you type on the album name and enter a new one
4. Zum Delete Tap the red circle with the minus sign (-)
5. Zum Arrange Hold one of the albums with your finger and move it in the overview

You cannot delete a few albums that are available by default in the Photos app. In addition, the “last” album (the overview of all content, so to speak) and the favorites cannot be moved. Renaming these albums is also not possible.

Instructions: Create a folder in the iPhone Photos app

If you now have several albums and these are slowly becoming confusing, you can manage them in folders. Tip: It is advisable to first create folders and then create the albums in them. A folder can contain several albums. Folders can also contain other folders (e.g. “Vacations” folder -> “Balcony 2021” folder -> “Living room bar” and “Barbecue on the balcony” albums). To create a folder, proceed as follows:

1. Opens the Photos app on the Apple iPhone
2. Select the "Albums" tab below
3. Then tap on the plus symbol (+) in the top left
4. Now you tap on "New folder"
5. Assign a name for the folder and tap on "Save"

In the created folder you can now create albums and folders via “Edit” and the plus symbol “+” in order to store photos and videos. 

More information and instructions for older iOS versions

The instructions here are aimed primarily at those of you who use iOS 14. You can find more information on using the Photos app on iOS 14 and the option to view instructions for older systems in this Apple guide. There you can also access the album and folder instructions for iOS 13 and iOS 12 if you are using an older iPhone, that doesn't support iOS 14.

Johannes Domke

After graduating from high school, Johannes completed an apprenticeship as a business assistant specializing in foreign languages. But then he decided to research and write, which resulted in his independence. For several years he has been working for Sir Apfelot, among others. His articles include product introductions, news, manuals, video games, consoles, and more. He follows Apple keynotes live via stream.