For $5, Photon Library brings back the feel of the old iOS Photos app

A new app is offering an alternative for those unhappy with iOS 18’s “upgrade” Photos app. Taking advantage of consumer backlash over Apple’s redesign of its default Photos app, which is now a single page and no tabs, photography app maker LateNiteSoft is introducing a new app called Photon Library. Not only does it serve as a complement to its other photography apps and photo-editing tools, it also offers the familiar look and feel of iOS’s legacy Photos app found in iOS 17 and earlier.

The company said it was inspired to create an alternative Photos app after seeing how frustrated early iOS 18 users were with Apple’s new design.

Ever since its launch in the iOS 18 betas, iPhone owners have been lamenting the changes to the Photos app. While the redesign offers better customization, many feel that the app’s new look takes a step back in terms of usability by consolidating everything onto a single page. Reddit pages are filled with user complaints, with critics saying this is their biggest gripe with the iOS 18 software update. In the meantime, several tech sites have started offering tutorials on how to customize the redesigned app to make it more useful and more like the old version.

Photon Library offers another alternative. Now, instead of trying to get used to the changes to Photos, Photo Library offers users a way to simply return to the look and feel of Photos, albeit in an experience designed by a third party.

The app brings back a tabbed design and includes other features from the Photos app like basic photo grids, a list of albums you can browse, and quick access to your favorite photos.

Instead of swiping down like in iOS 18’s Photos app, the Photon library’s bottom tabs let you quickly access your recent photos, albums, a calendar view, or favorites. It’s a slight departure from iOS 17’s Photos app, which had tabs for Library, Albums, For You, and Search, but the company thinks its tabs will prove even more convenient.

Noel Rosenthal, product manager at LateNiteSoft, notes that the company hopes the resident family’s tech support person will keep his company’s app in mind when his family upgrades to iOS 18 and then starts complaining about “how hard the new Photos app is to use.”

To make it easier for users to switch apps, Photon Library will not include a subscription. Instead, the app will be available as a paid download for iPhone and iPad, and will start at $4.99 in the US during its launch period on the App Store.