Make Better Memories With iOS 15 Photos

The Memory feature in your Photos app turns your photos into something more than just an unorganized photo album. Instead of having to scroll through hundreds of photos to find the right ones to compile, Apple has done all the work for you using facial recognition, AI image detection, location, and time to group similar photos together. And then they rolled it all into themed mini movies you can share. 

Customizing Memories has gotten a big upgrade with iOS 15. There is now an interactive interface to make it easier than ever to customize a Memory. New animations and transitions allow more creative additions for Memories, and smart titles bring it all together.  Also on the list of improvements are Memory types that will include more international holidays, child-focused Memories, trends over time, and improved pet Memories. 

Photos themselves got some upgrades too. There is now an info panel on the bottom of the photo that displays detailed information like shutter speed and photo size. Also, in that section is “Visual Look Up” which you can use to find out even more about the photo. “Visual Look Up” can recognize art, landmarks, tell which plants and flowers are in the photo, and best of all, determine the breeds of all those dog and cat photos. 

Here’s how it works.

Step 1. Open your Photos app and select a photo.

Step 2. Swipe up from the bottom to bring up the detailed information pane.

Step 3. Tap “Look Up” and a screen will slide up from the bottom of the screen with more information.

Step 4. Swipe down to close the Results page and return to the photo.

Now let’s look at how we can change our Memories.

Edit a Memory Mix

A Memory Mix is the combination of music and color adjustments that Apple automatically applies to your Memory. You can adjust that Mix easily using some preset combinations to make it more your style. 

Step 1. Tap “For You” in the Photos app, then tap a Memory to play it.

Step 2. Tap the screen to bring up the control icons, then tap .

Step 3. Swipe left to view different Memory mixes.

Step 4. Tap the screen to apply a Memory mix.

Change the Memory Music

You can change a Memory’s music by choosing from Memory soundtracks or Apple Music’s suggested songs. Apple Music subscribers can also access their Apple Music library and view suggested songs based on musical preferences or the content of the Memory.

Step 1. Play a Memory, then tap the screen anywhere to show the control icons.

Step 2. Tap , then tap . 

Note: If you are an Apple Music subscriber you can tap the Magnifying Glass icon to search for songs in your Apple Music library.

Step 3. Tap a song to select it, then tap “Done” to save

Change the Look of a Memory

Changing the “look” of a Memory means applying color adjustments consistently to the whole Memory so you aren’t stuck doing it photo by photo. 

Step 1. Play a Memory, then tap the screen anywhere to show the control icons.

Step 2. Tap , then tap .

Step 3. Tap a Memory look, then tap “Done” in the top corner to save.

Edit the Memory Title

Just because the titles are smart and adaptive doesn’t mean they will always be completely accurate or how you want it titled. But it’s easy to change the title and subtitles of a Memory.

Step 1. Tap  in the top-right corner of the Memory. 

Step 2. Tap “Edit Title.”

Step 3. Enter the new title or subtitle in the text field, then tap Save.

Change the Length of a Memory

Depending on the number of photos in a Memory, you can change the length of a Memory to be short, medium, or long.

Step 1. Play a Memory, then tap the screen anywhere to show the control icons.

Step 2. Tap  at the top right of the screen to open a pop up menu.  

Step 3. Then choose Short, Medium, or Long.

Step 3. Once you select the Memory length the video will start over from the beginning.  

Add or Remove Photos from a Memory

While you can’t actually create a Memory yourself, you have a high-level of control of what photos are or aren’t included.

Step 1. Play a Memory, then tap the screen anywhere to show the control icons.

Step 2. Tap  at the top right of the screen to open a pop up menu.  

Step 3. Select “Manage Photos.”

Step 4. Tap “Select All” to add all the available photos or tap photos without a checkmark to add individual photos. Tap photos with a checkmark to remove them from the Memory.

Step 5. Tap Done to save your changes.

Delete a Memory

Some things we wish we could forget, and we definitely don’t want a Memory collage of what happened. The good news is you can delete a Memory completely without deleting the photos (just in case you change your mind). 

Step 1. On the “For You” screen, tap  in the top-right corner of the Memory you want to delete.

Step 2. Tap “Delete Memory” to remove it from your list.

Edit Content in Memories

Memories are auto generated using AI and algorithms, but you can choose what you would like to see less of. 

Step 1. On the “For You” screen, tap  in the top-right corner of the Memory.

Step 2. Tap “Feature Less” to choose to see fewer photos or memories of a specific person, date, place, or holiday.

Share a Memory

Step 1. Play a Memory, then tap the screen anywhere to show the control icons.

Step 2. Select the “Share” icon in the top right corner and choose who you want to send it to.

Apple wants to make your photos more useable and by improving Memories our photos become less of a take and forget feature and more of a trip-down-memory-lane feature. So, get out there and make some Memories!

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