Searching photos by years in the photo library. IOS 26.2.1

Question

Level 1

13 points

Searching photos by years in the photo library. IOS 26.2.1

Hello,

After the latest iOS update 26.2.1 on my iPhone 17 pro max, I noticed that an important and very convenient feature has been removed from the Photos app.

Previously, it was possible to pinch to zoom out in the photo library, gradually reducing the size of thumbnails until you could quickly scroll through photos by years and months. This made it extremely easy to navigate a large photo library and find images from a specific time period.

In the current version of the Photos app, this zoom-out functionality appears to be no longer available, which makes browsing older photos much less efficient.

Could you please let me know:

whether this feature was intentionally removed;
if there are plans to bring it back in a future update
or if there is an alternative way to quickly browse the photo library by year and month.

Thank you in advance for your time and assistance.

iPhone 17 Pro Max, iOS 26

Posted on Feb 8, 2026 1:23 PM

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Answer 1

Feb 8, 2026 1:39 PM in response to Akotiger29

I have no issue looking at photos by year in the Photos app on my iPhone 17 Pro Max on iOS 26.2.1. There are a number of ways you can do it.

Easiest ways are:

Open your Library and swipe down and you'll see years/months

Or, use the search circle and type a specific year

This link will give you more details --> Search for photos and videos on iPhone - Apple Support

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Answer 2

Akotiger29 Author

Level 1

13 points

Feb 12, 2026 3:05 AM in response to Akotiger29

The problem was issued in iOS 26.3. The option was returned, thank you!

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Answer 3

Feb 18, 2026 11:35 PM in response to lobsterghost1

Apple reduced the zoom level capability from viewing hundreds of photos at once to only 45.

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Answer 4

Mar 13, 2026 9:02 AM in response to Aflyboy

Aflyboy wrote:

What? Yes swiping down works...wow...how is one supposed to know this? What are we doing here; playing some sort of guessing game? I'm sick and tired of software Easter Egg hunts! Thanks.

Things are always going to change, which is why Apple updates their Support Articles with how to do most anything on your iPhone. All you have to do is ask for help here, or just open any myriad of Apple Support Articles.

The day things don't change, we'll be six feet under. Until then, getting upset with change isn't worth it.

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Answer 5

Aflyboy

Level 1

8 points

Mar 13, 2026 8:39 AM in response to lobsterghost1

What? Yes swiping down works...wow...how is one supposed to know this? What are we doing here; playing some sort of guessing game? I'm sick and tired of software Easter Egg hunts! Thanks.

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Searching photos by years in the photo library. IOS 26.2.1

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