Related Article: Use the People album in Photos on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

Is there a way to add a person to the people album when the picture of that person came in from a text thread? In other words, I did not take the picture I downloaded it from a text thread.

Find a text thread you have where someone sent you a picture of a person. Click on the small download arrow beside the picture and the picture ends up coming into your photos as of the date that person created the picture.


Find the picture in your photos and try to follow the instructions given in Apple support to add that person to your people album. Those usual instructions don’t seem to work for such a photo. In other words a photo that you did not take. Is there a way to add this person to the people album or is it just impossible right now?


(For example, it says open the picture and tap “i” then tap the face of the person with a question mark. Tap tag with name and type the person’s name or tap the name if it shows up . Tap next then tap done.

I did open the picture and tap the “i” for info, but there is no face of the person with a question mark. Also there is no “ tag with name” to tap?!?)

iPhone 13

Posted on Sep 18, 2023 3:19 PM

Reply
3 replies

Sep 19, 2023 7:30 AM in response to Interogexplicatio

You're almost there. If you wait, Photos may (after days) name the person for you. If it doesn't, or you just impatient, then, in the Info window, look for the + in a circle:


Click on the + in a circle. This will put a little circle in the center of the picture and label it "Click to Name:"


When you click there and start typing, like "Prince Ch" it will attempt to complete the name with one from your existing list of people or from your contact list. If Prince Charles isn't in you contact list, you can go ahead and complete the name, and the future king will be added to the People list. Later, in the People List, you can change it to "King Charles III" and it will change all your pictures' names.

Sep 21, 2023 7:56 PM in response to Richard.Taylor

Dear Richard thanks for the reply. I do not have the “+ add faces” function on the info screen (see attached). However, the pic DOES now show the small round face pic with the question mark on it! So that could also be where are your patience comment is relevant. That allowed me to type in a name for the person. Bottom line I guess the answer here is weight X amount of time and something will show up to help name the person. Thanks again.

Sep 22, 2023 7:15 AM in response to Interogexplicatio

You're right. First, I forgot to notice that you were talking about a phone instead of a Mac. And, as you found, it does indeed take a while for the system to scan and recognize that there is a face in the picture (providing the little circle.) When you've provided a name, the system will include that name when it recognizes the same person in the future. I think it's amazing.


On a Mac you add a circle even when the computer hasn't found a face-- like a picture from the side, for instance.


Glad it worked!

Is there a way to add a person to the people album when the picture of that person came in from a text thread? In other words, I did not take the picture I downloaded it from a text thread.

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple ID.