If you’ve always wanted a better organization of media in your iPhone’s Messages app, iOS 15 has the solution for you. The Messages app now includes photo collections to make it easier to view photos. Collections not only keep chats clutter-free, but also display them in a neatly designed format. If you haven’t gotten through this remarkable feature of iOS 15 yet, follow along to learn how to use photo collections in iOS 15 and even iPadOS 15.
How to Use Photo Collections in Messages on iPhone, iPad
Photo Collections in the Messages app have much more functionality. Stacks of shared photos can be forwarded, saved to a camera roll, and deleted if you no longer need them. You can examine them step by step to get to know them better.
What is Photo Collection and How Does It Work?
Photo Collections are designed to present multiple images in a well-organized stack, making it much easier for you to view the set of images. This is pretty similar to how images and videos appear in WhatsApp, except that Apple’s version feels more advanced. Another interesting feature that may be of interest to many is the convenience of scrolling through all the images from a single point. Yes, you got it right! You no longer have to swipe up and down to view a group of shared pictures in iMessage, but it’s still an option. This will be helpful when viewing a large collection of holiday or party images. Also, this feature does not allow randomly shared images to upset the entire conversation.
If you’re wondering how to enable Photo Collections in iMessage in iOS 15, it’s on by default. So, there are no steps for this part. As soon as you select multiple pictures, iMessage turns them into a neat stack that you can share like any other picture.
How to Send Photo Collection in Messages App
- To get started, launch the Messages app on your iPhone or iPad.
- Now select the chat thread where you want to share the photos.
- Tap the Apps button located to the left of the text field.
- Next, find the Photos app icon and tap on it.
- Now select the photos you want to send. Next, tap on Add button in the upper right corner of the screen.
- You can also choose to add an appropriate comment. After that, hit the submit button and you’re ready to go!
View Pictures in a Photo Collection in the Messages App
You can swipe left or right to view pictures you have taken in a collection. Additionally, you have the option to display them all in a neat grid.
- Open the Messages app and go to the conversation thread where you got a collection of photos.
- You will now see a grid icon above the photo collection. This is the grid view. Tap on it to activate.
- Next, you should see all the images in a well-organized grid layout. If you want to check any image in full size, just click on it. After viewing the photo collection, you can select the back button. “<“ in the upper left corner of the screen to finish.
As mentioned earlier, you can control the images by swiping directly from the chat. Take a look at the GIF to better understand how you can scroll the photo collection and also view the group of images in grid layout!
Use Tapback, Reply, Forward with a Photo Collection in the Messages App
As with messages, you can react (Tapbacks), forward and even reply to a collection of photos. Here’s how.
How to use Tapbacks with a Photo Collection
- Go to the chat thread in the Messages app.
- Now press and hold a photo from the collection you want to add to Tapback. Choose the one you like and it’s done. You’ll get a heart, rumbles, thumps down, Ha Ha, an exclamation point, and a question mark as options.
How to Respond to a Photo Collection
- Visit the conversation thread in the Messages app.
- Again, long-press the picture in the collection you want to reply to. You will see a lot of options. Selcy Reply, enter your reply and then To send.
How to Forward a Photo Collection
- Launch the Messages app and go to chat aforementioned.
- Now, tap and hold on the photo collection you want to forward. After that, tap . More in the popup window. Select the photo collection by tapping the circle icon (as seen below) and then hit the forward arrow.
- Next, add the contact and then send.
Download Images from Photo Collections
Download Entire Photo Collection in Messages App
- Go to the Messages app on your iPhone or iPad and select the conversation thread.
- Now tap the download button (down arrow) next to the photo collection. After that, choose save to photo gallery choice.
Download Specific Image from Photo Collection
- Again, select the chat in the Messages app.
- Now find the image you want to save to your camera roll. Then, long press the picture. Then select Save.
Specifically, when you save a batch of photos to iMessage, it’s automatically added to your iCloud Photo Library. Therefore, you can view your photo collections saved on devices synced with the same iCloud account.
Deleting Photo Collection in Messages App
If you no longer want to keep a photo collection in the Messages app, you can easily delete it. Here’s what you need to do.
- First, go to chat in the Messages app.
- Now, long-press on the photo collection you want to get rid of. After that, tap . More in the popup window. Next, select the photo collection by tapping the circle icon to its left.
- Next, press the trash can button in the lower left corner and then select Delete Message.
How to Stop Photos in Messages Saved to Camera Roll
iOS 15 also includes a new “Shared With You” feature that automatically saves images and videos shared with you to the camera roll. It’s a convenience for some, while others may not like the addition of unwanted media to their photo library. If you belong to the latter group, here’s how to turn off shared photos in iOS 15:
- Go to the Settings app and select the Messages option.
- Scroll down a bit to get to the “Shared With You” option. Tap on it. Here, disable the “AutoShare” option so that the shared media does not appear in the Photos app. Shared content is shown in certain apps besides Photos, such as Music, TV, Safari, and Podcasts.
Alternatively, you can go to the Messages app, select the chat you want, tap the contact’s name to access more options, scroll down to find the “Show in Shared with You” option and disable it. You will no longer find shared media in your camera roll.
Use Photo Collections in Messages Like a Pro
Sharing lots of photos and videos with people is now the norm, and Apple’s effort to streamline the process is something we can all use. As someone who likes to share photos with their friends, this is a pleasing development for me.
That said, how do you rate this nifty iOS 15 feature? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below.
