How to Pin Custom Searches in iOS 18 Photos

Apple's iOS 18 redesigned the Photos app into a unified, single-screen experience that highlights dynamic organization. Among its most functional additions is the ability to save custom search queries directly to the Pinned Collections section. This feature transforms routine or complex searches—such as finding a specific pet, a multi-person vacation, or documents from a particular year—into permanent, one-tap collections on your Photos home view.

How the Feature Works

The Pinned Collections area serves as a customizable quick-access shelf within the new Photos layout. Instead of requiring you to retype complex search terms repeatedly, iOS 18 allows you to retain any search filter as a dynamic album that updates automatically whenever new matching photos are added to your library.

Steps to Save a Custom Search Query

  1. Perform a Search: Open the Photos app and tap the Search icon. Type your query into the search field. You can use natural language, combining multiple attributes such as people, locations, dates, or specific objects (for example, "dogs at the beach in 2023").
  2. Review the Results: Wait for the app to populate the search results, ensuring the query accurately reflects the images you want to track.
  3. Pin the Query: Tap the options menu (typically represented by three dots or a share/action icon, depending on the view) or look for the "Pin to Collections" button near the top of the search results screen. Confirm that you want to add the search to your pinned items.

Managing and Reordering Pinned Searches

Once saved, the custom search query appears as a dedicated tile in your Pinned Collections section. You can manage these at any time:

  • Reorder Items: Scroll down to the Pinned Collections section, tap Modify, and use the drag handles to position your saved search where it is most accessible.
  • Remove or Replace: In the Modify menu, tap the minus icon next to any saved search query to remove it from your pinned view without deleting the underlying photos.

Pinned search queries remain dynamic, meaning future photos taken that match your original criteria will immediately appear in the pinned collection without requiring any manual updates.