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
8 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…



Jan 30, 2026 7:43 AM in response to slaterk

In Library, in iOS 26, you can have 1 across, 3 across, 5 across, maybe 15 across (hard to count) or a zillion across, like this:

In the 15 across mode you see months. In the zillion across you see years. It lets you get to the year you want, and then you can expand to get the month, if you like, and then see the pictures. Of course, you can use the Years or Months views, but I don't really like those.


You didn't let us know what iOS you're using-- image is from iOS 26. Do you not get these views? What iOS are you on?

Jan 30, 2026 8:50 AM in response to Richard.Taylor

Hi Richard,


Thanks, but yeah I don't get any more than 5 across, see the screen grab - I can tap Zoom Out until I get 5 per row, but then once 5 pictures on the row has been achieved, the Zoom Out option disappears as below, leaving only Zoom In, and I can zoom out no further!


As per you, this is in the Library section, rather than the Collections section. ** unlike you, I don't have options saying years month or all.



I'm on 26.2.1


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.