How To Update Your Featured Photos on iPhone: A Complete Step-by-Step Tutorial

How to Personalize Your Featured Photos on an iPhone

Changing the featured photos in the “For You” section on an iPhone can help in showcasing those memories that mean the most. It’s a pretty quick process, and while it’s not exactly a life-changer, it’s nice to have your favorite moments front and center. If you want to refresh your device’s look or need a new aesthetic, tweaking your featured photos is a solid move.

Getting Into the Photos App

Open up the Photos app on your iPhone. You can find it on your Home Screen or just swipe down and hit it up through Spotlight Search if you’re in a hurry. You’ll land on the main screen with your latest pics and albums. Familiarizing yourself with this layout makes it smoother to get to the “For You” section.

Finding the ‘For You’ Section

Next, tap the For You tab at the bottom of your screen. Here’s where the device shows what it thinks is noteworthy, based on your past behavior and what it deems important, which is honestly, kind of a mixed bag. Depending on your iOS version, it might also be under the Albums tab. The algorithm does its thing, and you just hope it recognizes your best moments.

Choosing a Photo to Edit

Scroll through and find an image you no longer feel should be featured. The selection process isn’t in your hands since it’s all algorithm-driven. Oddly enough, if you’ve got a photo you love, sometimes adding it to certain albums might improve its chances of being seen again. A little convoluted, but hey, it’s how the game is played, I guess.

Opening the Photo Up

Tap the photo you want to replace to view it in full screen. Base level stuff, but this is necessary if you want to make any changes. In this view, you can swipe to check out other featured images. You can exit this mode by tapping the X or clicking outside the photo like you’d try to get out of awkward conversations.

Removing it from Being Featured

Look for the share icon in the bottom left corner (you know, the square with an upward arrow nonsense). Hit that, and it’ll bring up a share sheet. In iOS 16 and up, you’ll see an option for Remove from Featured Photos. Click it, and poof—the photo is no longer in the running for being featured. It’s good to note that doing this doesn’t delete the photo; it’s just getting a timeout from the “For You” section. After that, an alternative will be chosen by your phone’s algorithms, which can be a mixed blessing.

Tweaking Your Featured Photos Game

Since you can’t pick and choose which photos get to be in that select group, play the long-game by organizing your library. Tucking significant photos into albums like Favorites (just hit that Heart icon) might improve their chances of popping up again later. Just try to keep the clutter down in your library, clear out undesired featured photos regularly, and maybe your phone will finally get the message.

And remember, removing a photo from “For You” doesn’t mean it’s gone in general—it’s still chillin’ in your library, so don’t worry about losing it entirely.

Quick FAQs on Featured Photos

People often wonder why they can’t just choose which photos go in that section, and the short answer is: algorithms. They take the wheel based on your past activities, which can be frustrating. No, deleting something from “For You” doesn’t mean it’s gone from your phone. If it pops back in the featured spot, it’s just the algorithm’s way of reminding you that it knows better.

As a side note, sometimes those featured selections can change based on your recent activity or new pics added. So, keeping your albums fresh and organized will help ensure your preferred images get a shot at being the star of the show.

Checklist for Tinkering with Featured Photos

1. Open up the Photos app.
2. Click on the For You tab (or check under Albums if that’s how your iOS rolls).
3. Identify that one photo you want out of the limelight.
4. Tap to view it full screen.
5. Hit the Share icon (the one with that square and an arrow).
6. Choose Remove from Featured Photos.
7. Watch your iPhone bring in a new pick for you—fingers crossed it’s better.

Wrapping Up the Featured Photos Adventure

Switching out your featured photos is a quick way to ensure your iPhone still feels personal and is aligned with your current faves. While it can be a hassle that you can’t choose everything, a bit of organization goes a long way. Just remember to keep up with what matters to you, so your device gives you a highlight reel that feels right.