Pinch to zoom out, iPhone Photos app

Pinch to zoom out, iPhone Photos app

Is anyone else having this problem, I can zoom out of the grid view of Library, but only so there's 5 on each row. I want to really zoom out so I can see more like a year at one go. If I go into Collections, then Media Types, I can zoom out, but that's restricting me, I'd like to do that in the whole of the Library.

Have they change this for some strange reason?

iPhone 16 Pro

Posted on Jan 30, 2026 7:31 AM

Reply
53 replies

Jan 30, 2026 9:06 AM in response to slaterk

It looks like you're using iOS 26-- what is the actual version number?


Have you tried a forced restart? 

Force restart iPhone - Apple Support

This is different from a simple Power Off. I had to continue holding the button down past the "slide to power off" message, and then I released the button only after  the Apple Logo appeared indicating a re-start. 

Jan 30, 2026 9:56 AM in response to slaterk

slaterk wrote: … 26.2.1 ... is that what you mean? I had put that but only further down my reply :)

oops-- missed it. I have a 16 at 26.2 (with a message to go to 2.1)

Just did a force restart (had restarted before), and still no joy - will only let me zoom out to 5 pics per row

Drat! How about storage? At Settings>General>iPhone Storage, what does it say? For instance, mine says 59.64 GB of 128 GB used. Do you have at least 10% of your storage free?


Are you using iCloud Photos? Do you use Optimize Storage?


I have not heard of anyone having a similar issue…



Feb 5, 2026 7:29 AM in response to ValentynaF

ValentynaF wrote: Could you please tell me, have they said anywhere that they’re definitely planning to bring this feature back?

Nobody, especially on Reddit, knows what's coming. The "final" beta version is out there, but changes happen even after that.


And, as I said earlier, it's way, way easier to use albums and folders for organization.


So, go ahead and let Apple know what you think at this site:

Feedback - Photos - Apple


Complaining on this Community of Users site won't change anything.



Jan 31, 2026 7:53 PM in response to slaterk

I already called Apple customer service, it is Standard with the new version 26.2.1. If more ppl complain, they will go back to the Zoom out into numerous photos in a row. It is very frustrating now. The previous versions were much better, simpler, easy to get oriented in and locate a photo. I love the easy access and navigating with the iPad touch screen, but many good features are always eliminated with each update. They need to do a public survey next time.

Jan 31, 2026 10:52 AM in response to ivycm99

I don't want to downplay the weirdness of this new limitation, but I've got to say that I never use Library like that. I use Folders and albums to keep my pictures organized and easy to find. My pictures are organized like this:

Each year is a folder that has albums and folders inside. For earlier times, my year folders are inside decade folders. There's also a folder for folders with albums organized by topics like Music or Horses or Flowers or My Brother's Family, etc. So a picture of my niece riding a horse in 2019 might be in three different albums in three different folders. Putting a picture in several albums doesn't take up any more storage, and that organization makes it way easier to find the picture I want.


But it's still weird that we can't see more pictures at once in Library. Seeing more pictures in a window in the Library, with way more pictures, seems more important than in collections…

Pinch to zoom out, iPhone Photos app

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