Master Photos in High Sierra

Explore improved library navigation, plus new and enhanced editing tools

Explained Photos’ improved interface A The new sidebar

In Sierra, Photos’ sidebar was optional (View > Show Sidebar), but now it’s a persistent part of the app’s interface. If you want it visible in full-screen mode too, turn on View > Always Show Toolbar and Sidebar in Full Screen.

B Your library

Key albums that were previously scattered around the sidebar are now housed under Library. Here you’ll find the likes of Memories and Favorites, along with the Recently Deleted album that temporarily saves items.

C Revamped imports

Select Imports for a chronological feed of photos and videos you’ve added to the app. Note these are grouped by import session rather than date, and so the likes of Photo Stream entries may show up individually.

D New media types

Under Albums in the sidebar you’ll find a Media Types folder, which provides fast access to specific types of images and videos, such as screenshots, selfies, and long exposures created using that new Live Photos effect.

E Quicker editing

In mac OS Sierra, you could rotate or favorite a selection of photos using menu commands; now there are buttons in the toolbar for these functions. The number of selected items is much clearer at the top right, too.

F Filter options

With a category selected under Library, you’ll see a Showing filter near the top right of the window, initially set to All Photos. Click it to limit the view to specific item types, or items that match user-defined keywords.