Photo app not opening after iOS 18.6.2 update on iPhone XS Max

You’re not the only one this can happen to after an update. Let’s get Photos opening again.

First do a force-restart: press Volume Up, then Volume Down, then hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears. After it boots, try Photos again.

If it still closes, check storage in Settings > General > iPhone Storage and free a few GB. Low space can stop Photos from loading the library.

Open the Camera app, take a quick picture, then tap the thumbnail in the corner to jump into Photos. If that works, leave the phone plugged in and on Wi-Fi for a while so it can finish reindexing the library.

If it still won’t open, update iOS again if an update is available. If not, reinstall iOS without erasing: connect to a Mac, open Finder, connect the iPhone, then quickly press Up, Down, and hold Side until the recovery screen appears. In Finder choose Update (this reinstalls iOS and keeps your data). Test Photos before moving on.

If none of that helps, back up to iCloud or a computer and do a full restore. If Photos still won’t open even on a fresh install, it’s time for Apple Support to check for a library or hardware issue.

Try a forced restart.

• Press and quickly release the volume up button

• Press and quickly release the volume down button

• Press and hold the side button.

• When the Apple logo appears, release the button.

Force restart iPhone - Apple Support (IN)