How to Change Featured Photos on iPhone: A Step-by-Step Guide
How to Personalise Your Featured Photos on an iPhone
Updating the featured photos in the “For You” section on your iPhone is a great way to highlight those special memories. It’s a quick and simple process, and while it won’t change your life, having your favourite moments front and centre is always a win. If you’re after a fresh look or just want to tweak your aesthetic, adjusting your featured photos is a handy trick.
Getting into the Photos App
Open the Photos app on your iPhone. You’ll find it on your Home Screen or you can swipe down and search via Spotlight Search if you’re in a rush. Once open, you’ll land on the main screen with your latest images and albums. Familiarising yourself with this layout makes navigating to the “For You” section much easier.
Finding the ‘For You’ Section
Next, tap the For You tab at the bottom of the screen. Here, your device shows what it thinks are your standout moments, based on your recent activity, which can sometimes be a bit hit-and-miss. Depending on your iOS version, this may also be under the Albums tab. The algorithm does its thing, and you just hope it recognises your best shots.
Choosing a Photo to Edit
Scroll through and select an image you’d prefer to remove from being featured. Bear in mind, this process is driven by the algorithm, so you don’t get to pick exactly which photos appear. Interestingly, adding a favourite photo to specific albums can sometimes improve its chances of being re-featured. It’s a bit of a workaround, but that’s how the system works, I suppose.
Viewing the Photo
Tap the photo you want to replace to view it full screen. This step is necessary if you want to make any changes. Here, you can swipe left or right to browse through other featured images. To exit, simply tap the X or tap outside the photo, much like avoiding an awkward chat.
Removing a Photo from Being Featured
Look for the share icon in the bottom left corner (it’s that square with an upward arrow). Tap it to bring up the share sheet. On iOS 16 and later, you’ll see an option for Remove from Featured Photos. Tap this, and your photo will no longer be in the running for the highlight reel. Don’t worry — removing it doesn’t delete the photo; it just puts it on pause from appearing in “For You.” Your device will then select another image, which may or may not be your favourite, depending on the algorithm’s choice.
Optimising Your Featured Photos Selection
Since you can’t manually pick which photos get featured, the best approach is to organise your library proactively. Tag important photos with Favorites (by tapping the Heart icon) — this can boost their chances of showing up again. Keep your library uncluttered, regularly tidy away unwanted featured images, and your phone might just start recognising your priorities better.
And remember, removing a photo from “For You” doesn’t mean it’s gone forever — it still lives in your library, safe and sound.
Quick FAQs on Featured Photos
Many users wonder why they can’t select exactly which photos appear in that section. The answer is: it’s all down to algorithms. They decide based on your past activity, which can sometimes be a bit frustrating. Removing a photo from “For You” doesn’t delete it from your device. If it reappears as a featured shot, it’s just your iPhone’s way of saying it knows better.
Also, keep in mind that the featured images can change based on your recent activity or new photos you add. Keeping your albums organised and updated helps ensure your preferred pictures stand a good chance of taking centre stage.
Checklist for Changing Your Featured Photos
- Open the Photos app.
- Tap on the For You tab (or check under Albums if that’s how your iOS is set up).
- Find the photo you want to take out of the spotlight.
- Tap to view it full screen.
- Tap the Share icon (the square with an arrow pointing up).
- Select Remove from Featured Photos.
- Wait and see what new photo your iPhone chooses — hopefully a better one!
Wrapping Up: Experimenting with Featured Photos
Changing up your featured photos is a quick way to keep your iPhone feeling personal and up-to-date with your favourites. While you can’t manually select every photo, a little organisation goes a long way. Just keep your library tidy and favourite what matters most — that way, your device will do its best to showcase the memories you love.