Technology

Don’t panic. Here’s how to find your photos after iOS 18 update

Published

1 year ago

October 25, 2024

Don’t panic. Here’s how to find your photos after iOS 18 update

If you’ve recently updated to iOS 18 and found yourself lost in the new Photos app, you’re not alone. We received an email from “Dagmar” who was very frustrated because she couldn’t locate her carefully curated photo categories. She wrote to us saying,

“I HATE the new photo display on the new iOS 18 update for my iPhone. I cannot find my individual library anymore, i.e., my dog photos, photos of my home, etc. I spent all this time putting them in categories, and now they are gone. Are there instructions somewhere on how to learn this new format, please?”

Don’t worry, Dagmar. We’ve got you covered with this handy guide to help you make sense of the new layout.

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Photos app in iOS 18 on iPhone (Apple) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

First, if you haven’t downloaded iOS 18, here’s how to do it:

Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
Tap General and then select Software Update.
If the iOS 18 update is available, tap Download and Install.
Enter your passcode and agree to the terms and conditions.
Once downloaded, your iPhone will restart to complete the installation.

Steps to download iOS 18 on iPhone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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What’s new in iOS 18 Photos?

Apple has given the Photos app a major facelift in iOS 18. The app now automatically organizes your photo library into collections based on topics. While this might seem confusing at first, it’s designed to make browsing your memories easier and more intuitive.

Photos app in iOS 18 on iPhone (Apple) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

APPLE TRANSFORMS AIRPODS PRO 2 INTO LOW-COST HEARING AIDS

1) Navigating the Photos app

After installing iOS 18, launch the Photos app.
At the top, you’ll see the familiar grid view of your library.
Pinch your fingers to zoom out for a wider view of your library.
From there, you can jump to a specific month and year. Move your fingers apart to zoom in on a series of photos or a single photo.

Steps to navigate the Photos app (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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2) View by months or years

You can change the view to show photos by “Years,” “Months” or “All.”

Click All to view your photos arranged by date from oldest to newest.
Tap Months to choose a month and view its photos.
Tap Years at the bottom to move to a specific year.

Steps to view by months or years (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

3) Sort or filter your photos

In regular view, tap the Double Arrow icon at the bottom left of the screen.
From the menu, you can sort your library by Recently Added or by Date Captured.
Tap Filter.

Steps to sort or filter your photos (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Then, you can filter your library and see Favorites, Edited, Photos, Videos and Screenshots.
If you want to customize your photo viewing experience, tap View Options to Zoom In or Zoom Out, display photos in the Aspect Ratio Grid, and include or exclude Screenshots, Shared with You or Shared Library Badge.

Steps to sort or filter your photos (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

4) Viewing collections

Swipe down the screen to view generated collections such as People & Pets, Recent Days, Albums, Featured Photos, Memories, Trips, Shared Albums and Pinned Collections.
Tap a specific collection to view its photos.
Depending on the collection, swipe up and down or left and right to browse through each photo.
Tap the “X” to close the collection and return to the previous screen.

Steps to view collections (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

5) Sort and filter a collection

Just as you can with your main library, you can sort and filter photos in a collection.

After opening a collection, tap the double arrow.
From this menu, you can sort by Oldest First or Newest First.

Steps to sort and filter a collection (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

6) Generate a movie from a collection of photos

The Photos app will automatically create a movie from a series of photos in a collection.

After opening a collection, tap Movie at the bottom.
A generated movie starts playing with titles and background music.
Tap the screen to pause or play it.
Select the sound icon at the bottom to apply different filters and choose music.
Click the three horizontal dots in the upper right to Share Movie, Show Map, Edit Movie Timeline, Edit Movie Title, Add to Favorites, Add To Favorite Memories, Make Movie Key Photo or Hide Photo from Movie.

Steps to generate a movie from a collection of photos (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

7) Remove or reorder your collections

You can customize collections by removing or reordering specific ones.

Swipe down to the bottom of the screen and tap Customize & Reorder.
The screen will display all default collections; tap check marks to turn them off if you want them hidden.
To reorder collections, press down on the three-lined hamburger icon for any collection and drag it to a new location.

Steps to remove or reorder your collections (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

8) Finding your categorized photos

If you’re wondering where your carefully organized dog photos or home pictures went, don’t panic! They’re likely still in your Albums collection. To find them:

Swipe down to access your Albums collection.
Tap where it says Albums to open it.
Look for your custom albums here.

Steps to find your categorized photos (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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Kurt’s key takeaways

While the new iOS 18 Photos app might take some getting used to, it offers powerful organization tools and fun features like automatic movie creation. The key is to spend some time customizing the layout to suit your preferences. Remember, your carefully curated albums are still there; they’re just tucked away in the Albums collection. Don’t be afraid to explore and experiment with the new layout. Before long, you might find that this new organization system helps you rediscover forgotten memories and enjoy your photo collection in new ways.

What changes or features in the new iOS 18 Photos app do you find most helpful or frustrating? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.

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Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on “FOX & Friends.” Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

Technology

Polymarket defends its decision to allow betting on war as ‘invaluable’

Published

7 hours ago

February 28, 2026

Press Room

Polymarket defends its decision to allow betting on war as ‘invaluable’

It might be World War III, but at least I won $20. | Image: Polymarket / The Verge

Polymarket has been allowing people to bet on when the US would strike Iran next. Obviously, now that it’s actually happened and people have died, the prediction betting market is feeling some pressure. The site has been at the center of controversy before, including suspicions of insider trading on the Super Bowl halftime show and the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

In a statement posted on its site, Polymarket defended its decision to allow betting on the potential start of a war, saying that it was an “invaluable” source of news and answers, before taking shots at traditional media and Elon Musk’s X. The statement reads:

…

Read the full story at The Verge.

Technology

Google dropped dark web monitoring: Should you care?

Published

7 hours ago

February 28, 2026

Press Room

Google dropped dark web monitoring: Should you care?

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Google has officially discontinued its Dark Web Report feature, a free tool that once scanned known dark web breach dumps for personal information tied to a user’s Google account. The service delivered notifications when email addresses and other identifiers appeared in leaked datasets.

According to Google’s support page, the system ceased scanning for new dark web data Jan. 15, 2026, and the reporting function was removed entirely on Feb. 16, 2026, meaning users can no longer access the feature.

The company said the decision reflects a shift toward security tools it believes provide clearer guidance after exposure, rather than standalone scan alerts.

If you previously relied on the free dark web scan as an early warning signal for leaked data, this change removes one of your sources.

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Google officially ended its Dark Web Report tool, removing free breach alerts tied to user accounts. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

So what did users really lose?

Google’s Dark Web Report acted as a basic exposure scanner. It checked whether personal information linked to a Google account had surfaced in known breach collections circulating on the dark web.

When a match is found, users receive a notification identifying which type of data appeared in a leak. Depending on the data breach, that could include an email address, phone number, date of birth or other identifying details commonly harvested during large-scale hacks.

The report did not display stolen credentials or provide access to the leaked database itself. It also did not trace the origin of the compromise beyond referencing the breached service when available.

After an alert was issued, the next steps were left to the user. Google recommended actions such as changing passwords, enabling stronger authentication methods and reviewing account security settings. With the tool now removed, that automated breach check tied directly to a Google account is no longer available.

What you still have access to

Google directs users to its Security Checkup, a dashboard that scans your account for weak settings and unusual sign-in activity.

Its built-in Password Manager includes Password Checkup, which scans saved credentials against known breach databases and prompts you to change exposed passwords. Google also supports passkeys and two-factor verification to lock down account access.

The Results About You tool lets users search for personal information in Google Search and submit removal requests for certain publicly indexed details.

149 MILLION PASSWORDS EXPOSED IN MASSIVE CREDENTIAL LEAK

Without the automatic scan, users must now check for leaked data using other security tools. (iStock)

Alerts don’t always mean protection

Once personal information is compromised, it often ends up far beyond the breach itself. Stolen credentials and identity data are regularly trafficked on underground platforms where buyers can search for information tied to real people.

The BidenCash dark web marketplace was taken down by U.S. authorities in June 2025, and the Justice Department confirmed that the platform peddled stolen personal information and credit card data.

These illicit markets operate with a level of organization not unlike legitimate online stores. Search tools and bulk data sets are up for grabs and can be used to target any online account. This makes credential stuffing easier, where attackers test leaked passwords across multiple services in hopes of barreling into your account.

A breach alert tied to a dark web scan points to a leak at one moment in time; it does not follow whether that information has been sold to third parties or used in subsequent fraud attempts. For everyday users, this means that just knowing your data appeared in a leak doesn’t help much.

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Stolen personal information can circulate for years, making ongoing monitoring more important than a one-time alert. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Identity monitoring may be a better option

With Google’s scan gone, some people may consider dedicated identity protection services instead. Many of these services offer continuous monitoring of your personally identifiable information and send alerts about changes to your credit reports from all three major U.S. credit bureaus. That can include notifications about new inquiries, newly opened accounts and monthly credit score updates. Some plans also monitor a broader range of personal identifiers, such as driver’s license numbers, passport numbers and email addresses.

Beyond credit monitoring, certain services track linked bank, credit card and investment accounts for unusual activity. They may also monitor public records for changes to addresses or property titles and alert you if your information appears in those filings.

Many providers include identity theft insurance to help cover eligible out-of-pocket recovery costs. Coverage limits vary by plan and provider. Additional features often include spam call and message protection, a password manager, a virtual private network (VPN) and antivirus software.

No service can prevent every form of identity theft. However, ongoing monitoring and recovery support can make it easier to respond quickly if your information is misused.

See my tips and best picks on Best Identity Theft Protection at Cyberguy.com.

Kurt’s key takeaways

Google’s decision to drop its Dark Web Report may seem small. But it removes a tool many users relied on. For some, those alerts were the first warning that their data appeared in a breach. That automatic scan is now gone. Google still offers Security Checkup, Password Checkup, passkeys and two-step verification. However, none of them actively scan dark web breach dumps for you. Stolen data does not disappear. Criminals copy, sell and reuse it. One alert shows a single moment. Ongoing identity theft monitoring helps you stay aware over time.

Now that Google has dropped its dark web monitoring feature, will you actively check your data exposure or assume someone else is watching it for you? Let us know your thoughts by writing to us at Cyberguy.com

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Technology

Xiaomi 17 is a small(ish) phone with a big(ish) battery

Published

19 hours ago

February 28, 2026

Press Room

Xiaomi 17 is a small(ish) phone with a big(ish) battery

Xiaomi has just given a global launch to two of its latest flagship phones, the Xiaomi 17 and 17 Ultra, along with a Leica-branded Leitzphone edition of the Ultra. There’s no sign, however, of the 17 Pro, which launched in China with an additional display mounted next to the rear cameras.

The 17 and 17 Ultra will apparently be available soon in the UK, Europe, and select other markets. The 17 — pitched as a rival to the likes of the iPhone 17 and Samsung Galaxy S26 — will cost £899 / €999 (about $1,200), while the larger and more capable Ultra starts from £1,299 / €1,499 ($1,750). The limited-edition Leitzphone will be substantially more expensive at £1,699 / €1,999 ($2,300), though it includes 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage, along with a few extra accessories.

I like the simple, sleek aesthetic of the phone.

Photo of Xiaomi 17 homescreen on a wooden table outdoors

The 6.3-inch display isn’t tiny, but it does make the phone small by modern standards.

All three of the phone’s rear cameras are 50-megapixel.

The 17 is an extremely capable small-ish flagship, with a 6.3-inch OLED display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, and large 6,330mAh silicon-carbon battery (though sadly smaller than the 7,000mAh version launched in China). I won’t be writing a full review of the 17, but did spend a week using it as my main phone, and found that the battery cruised past the full-day mark, though wasn’t quite enough for two full days of my typical usage. That’s far better battery life than you’d find in similarly sized phones from Apple, Samsung, or Google.

The cameras impress too, with 50-megapixel sensors behind each of the four lenses, selfie included. Pound for pound, you won’t find many better camera systems in any phone this size.

1/10

I’ve been largely impressed by the Xiaomi 17’s cameras.

The Ultra, unsurprisingly, takes things to another level. It’s much larger, with a 6.9-inch display, and weighs a hefty 218g. Despite that, the 6,000mAh is actually smaller, though I found it delivered pretty similar longevity.

Photo of Xiaomi 17 and 17 Ultra on a table, closeup on the cameras

The 17 Ultra is larger in just about every respect, but strangely has a smaller battery.

The enormous camera is, as ever for Xiaomi’s Ultra phones, the highlight. There are 50-megapixel sensors for each of the main, ultrawide, and selfie cameras, with a large 1-inch-type sensor behind the primary lens. The periscope telephoto is even more impressive: 200-megapixel resolution, a large 1/1.4-inch sensor, and continuous optical zoom from 3.2x to 4.3x, the equivalent of 75-100mm. Xiaomi isn’t the first to pull off a true zoom phone — Sony’s Xperia 1 IV got there first in 2022 — but the telephoto camera here is far more capable than that phone’s, with natural bokeh and impressive performance even in low light.

Photo of Xiaomi 17 Ultra Leitzphone outdoors

This is the Leica-branded Leitzphone version of the 17 Ultra.

The camera capabilities are supported by Xiaomi’s ongoing photography partner Leica, but it’s the pair’s Leitzphone that really emphasizes that. Slightly redesigned from the 17 Ultra Leica Edition that was released in China last December, this includes Leica branding across the hardware and software, a range of Leica filters and shooting styles, and a rotatable rear camera ring that can be used to control the zoom. It’s the first Leica Leitzphone produced by Xiaomi — after a trio of Japan-only Sharp models — and comes with additional branded accessories, including a case with a lens cap and a microfiber cleaning cloth.

Xiaomi has plenty of other announcements alongside the 17 series phones at MWC this year, including a super-slim magnetic power bank, the Pad 8 and Pad 8 Pro tablets, and a smart tag that supports both Google and Apple’s tech-tracking networks.

Photography by Dominic Preston / The Verge

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