How iOS 16 Photos Sorts the Utilities Folder

Apple's iOS 16 introduced several functional changes to the Photos app, refining how visual content is categorized, secured, and navigated. Under the Albums tab, media is automatically organized into distinct sections: Media Types and Utilities. This article explains how iOS 16 categorizes media inside the Utilities section, how those items are sorted within each folder, and how the system distinguishes utility assets from general media types.

Structure of the Utilities Folder in iOS 16

In iOS 16, the Utilities section sits at the bottom of the Albums tab. Rather than sorting by camera capture format (which is handled separately under "Media Types"), Utilities collects items based on their system status, privacy state, or file management needs.

The Utilities section consists of four primary folders:

  • Imports: Contains all photos and videos transferred to the device from external cameras, SD cards, computers, or other devices.
  • Duplicates: A machine-learning powered folder that detects identical or nearly identical photos and videos across your entire library.
  • Hidden: Stores photos and videos removed from the main library view, secured by default with Face ID or Touch ID.
  • Recently Deleted: Holds items deleted within the last 30 days before permanent removal, also protected by biometric authentication.

How Media Is Sorted Within Utilities

Each subfolder in the Utilities section applies specific sorting rules tailored to its functional purpose:

1. Duplicates

The Duplicates folder aggregates photos and videos by visual similarity and metadata.

  • Grouping: Media is arranged into distinct groups of duplicate sets.
  • Chronological Order: Duplicate sets are listed chronologically based on the capture date of the images.
  • Resolution and Metadata: When viewing duplicates, the system highlights differences in file size, resolution, and format, allowing you to merge the highest-quality version with a single tap.

2. Imports

  • Import Sessions: Media is grouped by individual import sessions rather than original capture dates.
  • Chronological Sorting: Sessions are arranged chronologically by the date and time they were imported to the device, making recent transfers easy to locate.

3. Hidden

  • Capture Date: Once authenticated via Face ID or Touch ID, items inside the Hidden album are displayed chronologically according to the original date and time the media was captured.
  • Custom Sorting: Users can tap the ellipsis menu (three dots) in the top-right corner to sort by "Date Added" or view the grid in original aspect ratios.

4. Recently Deleted

  • Time Remaining: Items are organized chronologically by when they were moved to the trash.
  • Days Countdown: Each thumbnail displays a counter indicating how many days remain before the media is permanently purged (up to 30 days).

Distinction Between Utilities and Media Types

While Utilities manages system actions and file integrity, the separate Media Types section strictly sorts files based on hardware capture modes and file formats. In iOS 16, the Media Types section automatically classifies items into:

  • Videos
  • Selfies
  • Live Photos
  • Portrait
  • Long Exposure
  • Panoramas
  • Time-lapse
  • Slo-mo
  • Cinematic
  • Bursts
  • Screenshots
  • Screen Recordings
  • Animated (GIFs)
  • RAW

Files categorized under Media Types can simultaneously exist within a Utilities folder. For instance, a duplicate Cinematic video will appear both in the Cinematic category under Media Types and within the Duplicates category under Utilities until resolved.