Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Use albums for hand-picked collections, folders to group related albums, and—on Mac—keywords for labels you want to reuse across your library. Smart Albums on Mac can collect photos automatically from criteria you choose, while Search can find items using details such as dates, captions, places, people, and text in images. You usually do not need to file every photo into a deep folder hierarchy.
Choose the right way to organize a photo
Apple Photos offers several ways to group or retrieve pictures. Choose based on how you expect to find them later:
| Method | Best for | How membership works | Device notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Album | A hand-picked collection, such as a trip, event, or project | You choose which items to include. A photo can appear in more than one album. | Available on Mac and iPhone. |
| Folder | Grouping related albums so the album list stays manageable | Folders organize albums; they are not a replacement for the library. | Available on Mac and iPhone. |
| Keyword | A reusable label that can apply across albums, such as “receipt” or “hiking” | On Mac, add a keyword to selected photos or videos and search or filter by it. | Apple documents keyword management for Photos on Mac. |
| Smart Album | A collection that should update automatically when items meet chosen criteria | Photos gathers items according to the rules you set. | Available in Photos on Mac. |
| Search | Finding an item without maintaining another collection | Search uses available information such as dates, captions, keywords, places, people, or text in images. | Search criteria and controls vary by device and OS version. |
Use an ordinary album when you want to curate its membership yourself. Use a Smart Album when membership should follow repeatable criteria. Use keywords when the same characteristic matters across different albums. For a one-off lookup, try Search before building another structure.
Create albums and folders
On Mac
- To make an empty album, open Photos and choose File > New Album. Give it a name.
- To make an album from selected photos, select the items first, then choose the command for creating an album from the selection. Apple’s Mac guide also documents adding selected items to an existing album.
- To group albums, create a folder in the sidebar and move related albums into it. Keep the structure shallow enough that you can browse it easily.
Apple’s Photos for Mac guide covers getting started and creating albums; its guide to albums on Mac explains album membership and Smart Albums.
#1 Best Overall
- MFi Certified Multi-function Flash Drive: This flash drive is MFi certified, high quality and excellent performance, allowing you to store your data more securely without worrying about data loss. Made of high quality metal material and advanced chip technology, it has excellent dustproof, drop-proof and anti-magnetic performance. The flash drive has a 256GB capacity, easily free up space on your device
- 256GB 3-in-1 Lightweight and Compact Memory Stick: The flash drive has USB/Lightning/Type C interfaces for USB/Usb C pcie port card compatible with iOS devices with iOS12.1 and above / OTG Android phones / PC with Win7 and above / MAC devices with MAC10.6 and above, convenient for data transfer between different devices. It is also lightweight and compact, easy to carry around and keep your data at your fingertips. Accompanied by a uniquely designed keychain, the product is more convenient for you to carry
- One Click Backup and One Click Sharing: You can easily backup photos, videos, and phonebook to your phone with just one click via the APP, freeing up space on your mobile device without using a data cable or iCloud. You can also share photos/videos/files from the flash drive directly to social media (Facebook, etc.) for easy sharing with family and friends. (Tips: iOS devices need to download the "U-Disk" APP when using flash drive; Android and PC devices do not need to download APP)
- Automatic Storage and On-the-Go Playback: All photos and videos captured by the in-app camera are automatically saved to U-Disk albums in real time and stored in a folder for easy editing and searching. Store your favorite movies and music on the flash drive, you can enjoy the stored movies or music anytime and anywhere when you are traveling or on a business trip
- High Speed Transfer and Data Encryption: This flash drive has high read/write speed, so you can enjoy the convenience of fast backup and save time. The flash drive uses stable APP software, you can choose to turn on Touch ID/Passcode to encrypt the whole flash drive, or you can choose to encrypt specific files to protect your data, so you can enjoy a more convenient and secure file storage experience
On iPhone
- Open Photos, go to Collections > Albums, tap Add, then choose New Album.
- Name the album, select photos or videos to add, and finish creating it.
- To group albums, create a folder from the Albums area and add the relevant albums to it. You can also rename and sort albums.
Apple’s current iPhone guides may use different navigation labels depending on iOS version. If your screen differs, check the iPhone album guide for your version.
Albums do not own or duplicate photos
A photo can belong to more than one album. Removing it from an album does not necessarily remove it from your Photos library. On iPhone, deleting an album leaves its photos and videos in the library and in any other albums where they appear. Deleting an item from the library is a different action; check the confirmation shown by Photos before proceeding. See Apple’s guides to albums on Mac and albums on iPhone.
Add and manage keywords on Mac
Apple calls its explicit photo labels keywords; they are the closest built-in equivalent to tags in Photos on Mac. A compact, consistent vocabulary is easier to maintain than many near-duplicate terms. For example, choose one term for a recurring category instead of alternately labeling photos “hike,” “hiking,” and “trail.” That vocabulary is a practical recommendation, not an Apple requirement.
- Select one or more photos or videos.
- Open the Info window, enter a keyword, and press Return.
- For repeated assignments or keyword housekeeping, open Window > Keyword Manager. Use it to assign existing keywords, add or rename terms, remove a term from the keyword list, and set keyboard shortcuts.
- Put frequently used terms in the Quick Group in Keyword Manager for faster assignment. Quick Group keywords are also available from the Filter By menu.
Removing a keyword from the keyword list and removing a keyword from an individual photo are distinct tasks; check the selected photo’s information before changing labels in bulk. Apple explains the controls in Add keywords to photos and videos on Mac.
Rank #2
- MFI certified flash drive: This iPhone flash drive uses high-quality metal materials and the latest upgraded chip technology. It delivers reliable waterproof, shockproof, temperature-resistant and magnetic-resistant protection so your data stays safe. The thumb drive also comes with a keychain design that lets you attach it to keys or a lanyard for easy everyday carry.
- Unique 3 in 1 design: This usb stick features Lightning and Type-C interfaces and a USB independent adapter, making it easy to move data between different devices and helping you get rid of the shackles of data cables and iCloud. You can store your favorite videos, photos, movies and music directly on the memory stick and watch them on your mobile phone anytime. The usb flash drive for iPhone brings true convenience with more space and more freedom to enjoy what you love.
- High speed one click backup: The photo stick reaches up to 80MB/s reading speed and 40MB/s writing speed, allowing fast backup of files, photos, videos and phone books. Photos can be saved to a computer through the USB port for added protection. Files can also be shared directly from the jump drive to social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter, making it easy to share moments with family and friends.
- Compatibility and File Protection: This iPhone usb flash drive works with iOS 12.1 and above, iPhone, iPad, OTG Android phones, computers, and other USB devices. Different from other iPhone photo transfer sticks, our photo storage drive features encryption, allowing you to lock specific files for added security. Note: Displayed storage may vary slightly from 256GB / 512GB due to the difference between manufacturers' decimal system (1GB = 1000MB) and computers' binary system (1GB = 1024MB).
- Reliable Support: Enjoy the convenience of a high-quality usb memory stick along with dependable support. If you have questions about the lightning flash drive, we are always ready to help. (Note: When using the pendrive on iPhone or iPad, please download the LESOGE app from the App Store. Android and PC devices can be used directly without downloading any app.)
Use Smart Albums for criteria-driven collections
A Smart Album is useful when you want Photos on Mac to assemble a collection from rules rather than manually selecting every item. For example, a Smart Album can represent a recurring search condition you care about; choose criteria that match the information you actually maintain in your library.
- In Photos on Mac, choose File > New Smart Album.
- Name the Smart Album and set its criteria in the dialog.
- Review the matching items. Adjust the criteria if the results are too broad or omit photos you expect.
Use a regular album for editorial choices—such as the best images from an event—and a Smart Album for predictable, rule-based membership. Apple describes Smart Albums in its Mac album guide.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Find photos with Search instead of adding more structure
Search on Mac
Use the toolbar search field in Photos; press Command-F to activate it. Apple says Mac search can use titles or captions, keywords, dates, and text found within photos. You can combine terms—for example, a place and a month—to narrow results. See Search for photos and videos on Mac.
Search on iPhone
Search is available from the Library or Collections and can also be used within an album or collection. Apple lists search targets including dates, places, businesses, categories, events, named people or pets, text, and captions. Available controls and indexed information depend on the iPhone’s iOS version; consult Apple’s iPhone search guide and album search guide.
Rank #3
- Made For iPhone Certified. Compatible with iPhone 15 or newer (USB-C) and iPhone 14 or older models (Lightning)(2). When connected via USB-C, works with SANDISK Memory Zone app or Apple iOS Files app—automatic backup requires SANDISK app(3). Lightning connection requires the SANDISK app for copy and backup functions(3).
- SANDISK Memory Zone App Required. Download the app(3) from the App Store and update firmware if prompted to optimize your file management experience or jump to the iOS Files app from the home screen.
- Free Up Space. Seamlessly transfer files to your SanDisk Phone Drive, then easily delete them from your phone to reclaim valuable storage(3).
- Smarter Backups. Choose manual or automatic backup within the SANDISK Memory Zone app with real-time progress tracking, background multitasking, and partial backup support when storage is limited(3).
- Reliable Transfers. Move content between your USB-C or Lightning iPhone, iPad Pro, Mac, and other compatible devices(2).
Search what you already know before creating a new album: try a keyword, caption, date, place, person, or combination. If an item is hard to retrieve repeatedly, then decide whether a keyword, curated album, or Smart Album would make that retrieval more reliable.
Keep Photos available across your Apple devices
If you expect the same library on multiple devices, check that iCloud Photos is enabled on each device using the same Apple Account. Apple says iCloud Photos keeps the library current and accessible across signed-in Apple devices. Setup and availability details are in Apple’s Mac getting-started guide and iPhone album guide.
A maintainable starting system
- Create a few durable albums for collections you naturally browse, such as trips, family events, or ongoing projects.
- Use folders to group related albums, not to build a deep hierarchy for every photo.
- On Mac, add a small set of consistent keywords for attributes that cross album boundaries, and use Keyword Manager for repeated assignments.
- Make Smart Albums only for collections whose membership can be expressed as stable criteria.
- Search first when you just need to find a photo; expand the system only when a repeated retrieval need justifies it.
- If you use several Apple devices, verify iCloud Photos is enabled where you expect the library to appear.
Apple’s feature names and navigation can change across operating-system versions, and keyword and Smart Album instructions here are specifically for Mac. If a menu label differs, use the guide for your device and OS version: Photos User Guide for Mac.
Recommended Free Tools
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
