How To Disable Memories on iPhone in 2024

While iPhone Memories are a neat way to relive moments, a lot of folks find them a bit intrusive or just plain upsetting, especially if they show a person or event they’d rather forget. Sometimes, the Photos app throws up memories of lost pets, past vacations, or awkward moments we’d rather not revisit. So, if you’re tired of these reminders popping up out of nowhere, here’s how to turn them off completely. Be aware though, some steps vary depending on your iOS version, and not everything is straightforward. But hey, a little digging can help cut down on the clutter and mental noise.

1. Turn off Memories on iPhone

This feature is available starting with iOS 16, so your first move is to make sure your iPhone is running the latest iOS. Apple sometimes changes things around with updates, and older versions might lack the exact controls. You can check your iOS version under Settings > General > Software Update. Once that’s sorted, hop into Settings and head to Photos. From there, it’s a matter of toggling off the right switches.

Navigate to: Settings > Photos

In the Photos menu, find the Memories section. Under that, there are a few options—disable the Show Holiday Events if you want to stop holiday-based memories, but more importantly, turn off Show Featured Content. This stops the app from generating and displaying those curated collections automatically.

If the Memories keep coming back, or if you want to give the app a nudge to forget old suggestions, tap Reset Suggested Memories and Reset People Suggestions. This resets the app’s memory-database of faces and events, which can sometimes help with the weird suggestions.

2. Disable Memories Notification for iPhone Photos

Not everyone wants to turn off Memories entirely, just the notifications that pop up constantly. If that’s your case, you can disable them without losing the feature altogether. It’s a bit hidden in the Settings app, but this method works and keeps your Photos app in one piece.

Here’s the route: Open Settings > Notifications, then scroll down and tap on Photos. From there, find Customize Notifications. Turn off the toggle for Memories. This stops the alerts, but the Memories feature stays active in the background—just no more nagging notifications.

Heads up: on some versions, the exact menu options might be named slightly differently or located elsewhere, but this generally does the trick. On one setup it worked, on another… not so much. Because of course, Apple has to make it harder than necessary.

3. Delete a Specific Memory from iPhone Photos

If you’re not trying to kill Memories completely but just want to nix a particular one—say it’s a memory of that embarrassing night—you can delete just that specific memory. This method is more granular, and honestly, easier than turning everything off, especially if a single memory keeps bothering you.

Here’s what to do: Open the Photos app, then go to the For You tab. Find the memory you want gone. Tap on it, then tap the three dots icon for options. From the list, select Delete Memory.

Note: This only deletes that one memory — the photos and videos involved stay in your library, no big surprises there. But just be aware that sometimes, deleting one memory doesn’t clear it from all suggestions for a while, especially if Apple’s system is slow to update.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do I find Memories on my iPhone?

Just open the Photos app, jump to the For You tab, and scroll until you see the Memories section. You can tap See All for the full list or to manage individual memories.

How do Memories work on iPhone?

They’re basically mini-movies or collections built from your photos and videos. They highlight what Apple thinks are significant moments, like trips, birthdays, or people, and usually play a short soundtrack with transitions. It’s kinda like having a personal slideshow that curates itself—but sometimes a little too eagerly.

Does deleting iPhone memories delete photos?

Nope. Deleting these memories just removes that slideshow or collection, not the original photos or videos stored in your library. Your media stays exactly where it was.

Do iPhone photo Memories take up space?

Yes, since Memories often include videos, they can take up quite a bit of storage space. Those little video collages can run quite large, especially if you have a bunch of long clips included.

Turning off Memories or managing them individually helps tame the space beast a little. If you get stuck or want more tips, just poke around in Settings or ask in forums. Hopefully, this shaves off a few hours from the endless scrolling.

Summary

Update your iPhone to iOS 16+ for full control over Memories.
Disable or reset Memories from Settings > Photos.
Turn off notifications via Settings > Notifications > Photos.
Remove unwanted memories individually through the For You tab.

Wrap-up

Managing Memories on iPhone can sometimes turn into a bit of a wild goose chase, depending on your software version and personal preferences. Turning off notifications or deleting specific memories usually does the trick without disrupting your entire photo experience. Just remember, updates might change where these options are located, so hanging in there and exploring the menus is part of the process. Fingers crossed this helps someone cut down on those unintended trips down memory lane. Worked for me — hope it works for you.