How to Quickly Select Multiple Photos in iOS

Stop tapping on each photo individually and try this instead

By
Sue Chastain
Sue Chastain
Sue Chastain
Writer
  • St. Petersburg College
Sue Chastain is a former Lifewire writer and a graphics software authority with web design and print publishing credentials. She's also skilled in WordPress administration.
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Updated on September 10, 2022

What to Know

  • Open the Photos app and go to the desired photo collection > Select.
  • Drag a finger across the photos you want. Drag down to select an entire row.
  • Tap Share to share via Gmail, iCloud, Twitter, etc. Use Add To to place them in an album.

This article explains how to select multiple photos on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.

How to Select Multiple Photos in iOS

Starting with iOS 9, Apple changed the way you can select multiple photos. You can now swipe a bunch of them, instead of tapping each one individually, making it easier to share a batch of snapshots with friends and family.

  1. Pictures in the iOS Photos app are automatically sorted into collections by year, date, and location. Open the collection you want to select photos from.

  2. Tap Select in the upper-right corner of the screen.

    A screenshot of iOS' Photos app with the Select button highlighted

  3. Drag your finger across the photos you want to select. You will see a blue check mark on each one.

    a screenshot of the iOS Photos app with an arrow indicating dragging across photos to select them

  4. Drag down to select an entire row of photos.

    A screenshot of the iOS Photos app with an arrow indicating dragging down

  5. Once you've selected your photos, you have a couple of options. You can tap Share to share them via a variety of apps (Gmail, iCloud Photo Sharing, Twitter, etc.). This option also lets you print photos or create a slideshow. The Trash Can icon lets you delete photos, while the Add To option lets you place them in an album.

    A screenshot of the iOS Photos app with the Share and Trash buttons highlighted
FAQ
  • How do I hide photos on iOS?

    To hide photos on iOS, select the photo(s), then tap the Action icon (the square with the arrow coming out of it). Tap Hide in the list of options at the bottom.

  • How do I mass delete photos on iOS?

    To bulk delete photos on iOS, select the photos, then tap the Trash can. To permanently remove deleted items, go to Albums, scroll down and tap Recently Deleted folder > Select > Delete All.

  • How do I combine photos on iPhone?

    To combine photos on iOS, download the Shortcuts app and set up the Combine Images shortcut. Then, tap My Shortcuts > Combine Images.

  • Why can't I take FaceTime photos on iOS?

    If you can't take photos on FaceTime, it could be due to privacy restrictions, outdated software, or a glitch.

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