Filter Edited vs Unedited Photos in iOS 12

In iOS 12, the native Apple Photos app does not include a direct filter or default album to separate edited images from unedited ones. While the operating system brought significant updates to search indexing and media categorization, an "Edited" smart album is absent from the Photos interface. However, users can still identify and organize their edited photos through the Apple Shortcuts app, macOS synchronization, or third-party gallery applications.

The Limitation in iOS 12

The Photos app in iOS 12 automatically organizes media into predefined categories such as Selfies, Live Photos, Portraits, Panoramas, and Screenshots under the Media Types section. Despite these automated filters, Apple did not provide a toggle or smart album to view modification status. When viewing an individual image, the only built-in indicator that an edit occurred is the presence of a red "Revert" button when opening the photo in editing mode.

Workaround 1: Using the Shortcuts App

The most effective way to filter edited photos directly on an iOS 12 device is by using the Shortcuts app (formerly Workflow), which Apple integrated into iOS 12.

  1. Open the Shortcuts app on your device.
  2. Create a new shortcut and add the action Find Photos.
  3. Set the filter criteria to Is Edited is Yes.
  4. Add a subsequent action such as Show Result or Create Album to compile all edited pictures into a dedicated folder.
  5. Run the shortcut to automatically scan your library and isolate all modified pictures.

Workaround 2: Using macOS Photos Smart Albums

If you use iCloud Photos and have access to a Mac running macOS Mojave:

  1. Open the Photos app on your Mac.
  2. Select File > New Smart Album.
  3. Set the condition to Photo > is > edited.
  4. Because Smart Albums do not automatically sync to iOS devices, select all the images inside this Smart Album and copy them into a standard, manual album.
  5. This new manual album will sync across iCloud and appear in the Albums tab of the iOS 12 Photos app.

Workaround 3: Third-Party Photo Managers

Third-party photo management apps available on the App Store can read extended EXIF data and metadata flags that the native iOS 12 Photos app hides. Apps such as HashPhotos or metadata viewers allow users to sort their photo library by modification date, edit state, or specific camera parameters, providing an immediate view of all altered images without requiring custom shortcuts.