Tiny Task #1: Explore Your Photos App

🎧 Show Notes — Tiny Task: Explore Your Photos App

Ever open your Photos app, take one look around, and immediately close it again?

In this Tiny Task episode, we're not organizing, deleting, or creating albums. Instead, we're taking a few minutes to simply explore the space where most of your memories live. Because before you can organize your photos, you need to feel comfortable navigating your Photos app.

This episode is part of our summer series answering one of the top Googled iPhone questions:

📱 Where Are My Photos?

And over the next several Tiny Tasks, we're breaking that big question down into small, manageable steps.

In This Episode

You'll learn:

• Why spending time exploring your Photos app matters
• How tiny learning sessions build confidence and momentum
• Why we recommend setting aside small pockets of time for learning
• The benefits of keeping a dedicated photo organizing notebook
• The difference between the Photos app and the Camera app
• The two main views inside the Photos app:
  • Library (your main Camera Roll)
  • Collections (Apple's tools, albums, memories, and categories)
• How to get back to your familiar Camera Roll if you ever feel lost
• Why you don't need to understand every feature right away

Today's Tiny Task

✅ Set aside 10–30 minutes

✅ Open your Photos app

✅ Explore the Library and Collections views

✅ Write down any questions that come up

✅ Don't organize anything — just explore

Because confidence comes before organization.

Coming Up Next

How did those photos and videos get into my Camera Roll?

In our next Tiny Task, we'll explore how apps like Messages and WhatsApp can automatically save photos and videos to your library, and how understanding those settings can help reduce confusion and clutter in your photo collection.

Take what fits, leave what doesn't, and we'll see you next time on sort-it-out. 🎙️

Episode Transcript

(00:01):
Ever open your Photos app, take one look around, and immediately close it again? Not because you don't care about your photos, but because you're not quite sure where to start.
Today we're not organizing anything.
We're not deleting, we're not making albums, we're not even looking for specific photos.
We're simply getting comfortable inside the place where most of your memories live.

(00:22):
Because before you can organize your photos, you need to understand the space you're working in. 6 00:00:27,987.999 --> 00:00:31,227.999 And that's exactly what today's tiny task is all about. 7 00:00:32,867.999 --> 00:00:34,167.999 Welcome back to Sorted Out. 8 00:00:34,537.999 --> 00:00:40,847.999 We are Christie and Amanda, childhood best friends turned professional photo organizers, and we are so glad that you're here. 9 00:00:40,847.999 --> 00:00:44,507.999 This podcast is all about photo organizing made simple. 10 00:00:44,827.999 --> 00:00:51,347.998 No guilt, no overwhelm, mixed with real life mom moments and everyday lessons we're learning right alongside you. 11 00:00:51,847.999 --> 00:00:54,127.999 We're moms, we're busy, and life is messy. 12 00:00:54,457.999 --> 00:00:57,307.999 Around here, we're focused on progress, not perfection. 13 00:00:57,867.999 --> 00:01:05,87.998 And today we're continuing our summer series where we answer some of the top Googled iPhone questions through the lens of photo organizing. 14 00:01:05,333.792051359 --> 00:01:16,140.418953278 And our first big question was: Where are my photos? And over the next several tiny task episodes, we're gonna break down that question into small, manageable pieces. 15 00:01:16,720.417953278 --> 00:01:20,180.418953278 Now, if you've been listening for a while, some of these topics might sound familiar. 16 00:01:20,580.418953278 --> 00:01:31,700.419953278 We may have touched on them in previous episodes, but we're intentionally bringing them together into one simple learning path so everything is easy to find, easy to follow, and right at your fingertips when you're ready for it. 17 00:01:32,130.418953278 --> 00:01:35,360.418953278 Because you don't need more information, you need smaller steps. 18 00:01:37,70.418953278 --> 00:01:39,180.418953278 So today's tiny task is simple. 19 00:01:39,180.418953278 --> 00:01:40,350.41895328 Spend a little time exploring your Photos app. 20 00:01:40,650.41895328 --> 00:01:45,150.41895328 Not organizing, not fixing, not cleaning up, just exploring. 21 00:01:45,610.41895328 --> 00:01:53,360.41895328 Because confidence comes before organization, and the more familiar you become with your Photos app, the easier every future photo organizing decision becomes. 22 00:01:53,360.41895328 --> 00:01:53,410.41895328 So let's jump right in. 23 00:01:58,389.08561994 --> 00:02:05,509.08561994 We've spoken previously about getting to know your Photos app on your iPhone or iPad, or your Mac if you have that as well. 24 00:02:06,279.08561994 --> 00:02:12,419.08461994 Setting aside time to just play in your Photos app is more important than you might realize. 25 00:02:12,889.08561994 --> 00:02:25,169.08561994 We're going to break that down a little more specifically today, but before I do that, I just want to give a reminder as to why these tiny tasks in tiny time plots are so important for your success. 26 00:02:25,544.1166148 --> 00:02:26,314.1166148 And P.S., 27 00:02:26,374.1166148 --> 00:02:29,944.1166148 these tiny tasks aren't unique to photo organizing. 28 00:02:30,204.1166148 --> 00:02:32,664.1166148 We encourage you to do this for any of your goals. 29 00:02:33,66.89544685 --> 00:02:45,3.40802792 To learn, acquire new knowledge, apply that knowledge consistently and successfully involves building up your skill blocks from simple tasks that are mastered over time. 30 00:02:45,373.40802792 --> 00:03:04,430.07469459 Currently, we have so much access to new information on the internet or social media, but what do we do with that info? With this quick and easy access to new info on social media, we often do some of our learning, quote-unquote, on the fly, but we can fall short on the implementing of that new information. 31 00:03:04,840.51251475 --> 00:03:05,900.51351475 It's a simple recipe. 32 00:03:05,920.51251475 --> 00:03:13,967.17918142 Instead of trying to do everything at once, which often equals overwhelm and frustration, a more consistent pattern we were tending to see. 33 00:03:13,977.17918142 --> 00:03:21,73.84684809 We are trying to teach you how to break a lot of this information down so it becomes a little more enjoyable, i.e., 34 00:03:21,93.84584809 --> 00:03:24,683.84584809 playing in the sandbox, and a little more successful, i.e., 35 00:03:24,703.84584809 --> 00:03:27,283.84684809 reaching your goals and having an organized photo collection. 36 00:03:27,677.18018142 --> 00:03:43,500.51251475 not only does this practice help build confidence in using our own personal tech, but it greatly increases our chance of productivity and success because that initial task now takes shape as information we just now know. 37 00:03:43,940.51251475 --> 00:03:54,506.94715894 So it's much easier to now sit down and hop into organizing or hop into those creative tasks instead of figuring out technology tasks, which isn't always fun. 38 00:03:54,943.95068104 --> 00:04:17,932.32448991 For example, one of your roadblocks to having an organized collection is that when you think of visiting your photos, you may immediately move to a different task because the idea of going into your phone or on your computer creates a feeling of overwhelm as to where do you even begin to organize or decide what to even do within your photos app and/or where are all of my photos? Everything keeps moving around. 39 00:04:18,204.27012928 --> 00:04:24,977.48123934 Okay, so today we want you to just explore your photos app, but listen carefully as to how we suggest to do this. 40 00:04:25,257.24423373 --> 00:04:30,217.24423373 Number one, literally carve out time in your day for the learning curve. 41 00:04:30,458.44548069 --> 00:04:41,328.44548069 Whatever time you have that feels like a good fit, 10 minutes, 30 minutes, 20 minutes, set your timer if you like, and set your mindset that you're just going in to explore. 42 00:04:41,408.44548069 --> 00:04:47,138.44448069 You're not organizing or doing or looking for specific photos, you're just exploring and learning. 43 00:04:47,635.14045552 --> 00:04:49,225.14045552 Number two, optional. 44 00:04:49,965.14045552 --> 00:04:53,35.14045552 We recommend having a notebook dedicated to photo organizing. 45 00:04:53,605.14045552 --> 00:04:58,961.80712218 All the questions, all the ideas, all the plans, all the need to remembers in one notebook. 46 00:04:59,361.80712218 --> 00:05:10,404.63642732 Keep that notebook with you when you carve out these tiny time slots so that when questions come up during your learning time, you can write them down and not get distracted by going to find a random place to record your questions. 47 00:05:10,654.63642732 --> 00:05:12,334.63642732 Say no to Post-its. 48 00:05:12,551.30309398 --> 00:05:17,81.30209398 I mean, we love a good Post-it, but for this purpose, we want that notebook. 49 00:05:17,301.30309398 --> 00:05:20,464.63642732 Okay, number three, you can now enter your Photos app. 50 00:05:20,564.63642732 --> 00:05:23,824.63742732 Just to clarify, this is not your Camera app. 51 00:05:23,887.97076065 --> 00:05:28,427.97076065 Your Camera app, the one that looks like a camera lens, is for taking the photos. 52 00:05:28,567.97076065 --> 00:05:33,737.97076065 But we want you exploring in the app that says Photos with the pretty multicolored pedal wheel. 53 00:05:33,837.96976065 --> 00:05:35,377.97076065 That's your Photos app. 54 00:05:35,790.26327732 --> 00:05:44,260.26327732 Number four, the orientation I'm about to walk you through is for iPhones that are updated somewhere in the iOS 26 era. 55 00:05:44,330.26327732 --> 00:05:53,303.59661065 Right now we're in 2026, and your iPhone needs to be updated somewhat recently within the last year or so to have this view that I'm talking about. 56 00:05:53,416.92894398 --> 00:05:58,586.92994398 If your phone is not updated, what I'm about to describe might look a little different in your app. 57 00:05:58,683.59661065 --> 00:06:03,990.26327732 When you open your Photos app, you're either going to be in the Library view or the Collections view. 58 00:06:04,120.26327732 --> 00:06:07,500.26327732 These are the two main views that exist within your Photos app. 59 00:06:07,783.59561065 --> 00:06:14,33.59661065 If you look to the bottom left of your screen when you're in your Photos app, you'll see Library and Collections options. 60 00:06:14,243.59661065 --> 00:06:22,726.92994398 These two views give you the various ways you can view your photos that all live in that one stream of consciousness, I like to call it, otherwise known as your camera roll. 61 00:06:22,953.59561065 --> 00:06:33,310.26227732 Even if you do make albums and, quote, unquote, "put photos in those albums," your photos in this Library view will always be viewable here. 62 00:06:33,446.92894398 --> 00:06:37,896.92894398 We never move photos, we never remove them from this view and put them elsewhere. 63 00:06:38,6.92894398 --> 00:06:41,686.92794398 They always live in this Library view, all of the photos. 64 00:06:41,866.26227732 --> 00:06:49,236.26227732 If you want to see that camera roll or library view, you have to be sure you're toggled on to that view in the bottom left of your screen. 65 00:06:49,346.26227732 --> 00:06:58,786.26227732 So if you ever get somewhere where you're a little confused where you are, go to the bottom left of your screen and click on Library and w- it will take you back to this kind of camera roll scroll view. 66 00:06:59,154.54721473 --> 00:07:04,234.54721473 Okay, number five, if you're on your Mac, you can explore the Library tab. 67 00:07:04,494.54721473 --> 00:07:08,164.54621473 It's at the very top left of your screen in the Photos app or Photos program. 68 00:07:08,350.50678143 --> 00:07:16,679.39497602 And for all the other views on a Mac, just continue to scroll down the section on the left side of the window to see the different categories you can explore. 69 00:07:16,699.39497602 --> 00:07:23,371.57418791 A lot of them that are Apple-generated categories will be at the bottom number six, back on your iPhone. 70 00:07:23,431.57418791 --> 00:07:31,941.57418791 If you click over to the Collections tab, remember at the bottom left of your screen in the Photos app, we're now toggling on the Collections tab. 71 00:07:32,331.57418791 --> 00:07:35,361.57318791 This is what I mean by what I referred to as Elsewhere earlier. 72 00:07:35,593.02169531 --> 00:07:55,121.77953623 This Collections view gives you different ways to view your photos that live in your camera roll, AKA your library This is an area where you can create different categories via albums or are already created by Apple, and those categories might help you find photos faster or delete more easily or enjoy more frequently. 73 00:07:55,141.77953623 --> 00:08:00,118.44620289 So you've got some options, that you're in control of here in the collections area. 74 00:08:00,271.77953623 --> 00:08:17,2.38951355 The amount of time you spend in here or how much you use these different, categories and tools in this view is completely up to you It's an area where Apple also groups photos for you in suggested ways or automatically creates memory reels. 75 00:08:17,207.81832075 --> 00:08:24,137.81732075 I encourage you to simply explore this collections view in small chunks of time that doesn't feel overwhelming. 76 00:08:24,360.5074004 --> 00:08:26,500.5074004 And some key points here to understand. 77 00:08:26,850.5084004 --> 00:08:36,882.0139413 You don't need to use or understand everything that's in this collections view, but I do want you to spend some intentional time just perusing it so that you see the world that exists here. 78 00:08:37,3.68544438 --> 00:08:41,473.68444438 If this is overwhelming, spend smaller chunks of time just lightly exploring. 79 00:08:41,604.75074665 --> 00:08:47,474.74974665 In time, you may find you'll use and access tools in here, or you may not at all. 80 00:08:47,654.75074665 --> 00:08:59,145.19098528 But the point is to get you a little more comfortable that if you do find yourself in this section of the Photos app, even by accident, that's okay, because you now know where you are and how to get back. 81 00:08:59,463.13676891 --> 00:09:02,903.13676891 Key point, bottom left of the screen, library toggle. 82 00:09:02,933.13676891 --> 00:09:04,863.13676891 Always toggle back to there if you get a little lost. 83 00:09:05,170.93116443 --> 00:09:05,490.93116443 Okay. 84 00:09:05,655.44676635 --> 00:09:15,277.96250558 This collections view has many useful tools and if you feel exploratory, then scroll down as well as scroll right and see all the features that exist here. 85 00:09:15,402.55290658 --> 00:09:29,142.55290658 And whether you're a full explorer or a simple tourist, you can always toggle back to the library view at the bottom left, just throwing another reminder in here, to get back to the main scroll view that is most familiar. 86 00:09:29,355.8720138 --> 00:09:39,405.8720138 Finally, tiny chunks of time set aside for exploratory only tasks to increase your familiarity with your tech, with your Photos app. 87 00:09:39,735.8710138 --> 00:09:40,765.8710138 That is the goal. 88 00:09:40,902.53768047 --> 00:09:46,492.53868047 As questions arise while you're in there, feel free to jot them down during this exploratory time. 89 00:09:46,605.8720138 --> 00:09:52,805.8710138 These questions can become your Google searches during another tiny time designated for more exploratory. 90 00:09:53,520.52349522 --> 00:09:54,650.52349522 Oh my gosh, so good. 91 00:09:54,970.52349522 --> 00:09:57,350.52349522 I love having a little peek inside Amanda's brain. 92 00:09:57,630.52349522 --> 00:09:58,610.52349522 It's so great. 93 00:09:59,280.52349522 --> 00:10:04,150.52349522 So just to recap, today was just about getting comfortable inside your Photos app. 94 00:10:04,440.52349522 --> 00:10:17,540.52349522 You learned that there are two main places to explore, the library, your main camera roll where all of your photos and videos live, and collections, different ways Apple helps you view, organize, and interact with those photos. 95 00:10:18,80.52349522 --> 00:10:26,740.52349522 You've learned that if you ever feel lost while exploring, You can simply toggle to library at the bottom left of your screen to get back to your familiar camera roll view. 96 00:10:26,923.85682856 --> 00:10:34,633.85582856 We also encourage you to set aside small chunks of time for these tiny tasks And consider keeping a photo organizing notebook nearby. 97 00:10:34,863.85582856 --> 00:10:39,473.85582856 As questions come up, write them down instead of getting distracted trying to solve everything at once. 98 00:10:39,773.85582855 --> 00:10:42,833.85582855 Remember, the goal wasn't to master your photos app today. 99 00:10:42,983.85582855 --> 00:10:46,973.85582855 The goal was simply to become a little more familiar with it than you were yesterday. 100 00:10:47,543.85582855 --> 00:10:52,333.85582855 And in our next tiny task episode, we're going to answer a question that surprises a lot of people. 101 00:10:52,773.85582855 --> 00:11:07,7.18916189 How did those photos and videos even get into my camera roll? We are looking at how apps like Messages and WhatsApp can automatically save photos and videos to your library, and how understanding that can help reduce some of the confusion and clutter in your photos collection. 102 00:11:07,727.18916189 --> 00:11:12,747.18916189 One tiny task, one small pocket at a time, one step closer to feel confident with your photos. 103 00:11:12,997.18916189 --> 00:11:14,927.18916189 And we'll see you next time on Sorted Out.