The best way to organize photos on your smartphone

The average person has almost 3,000 photos stored on their phone!

These days, it’s easier than ever to whip out your phone and snap a picture whenever you see something cute or interesting (or just happen to love your makeup on that particular day). However, many of those photos (dare we say most of them) never get looked at again because they’ve disappeared into a morass of images.

One way to avoid this issue and actually enjoy the pictures you’ve captured is to organize your photos regularly.

Not sure where to begin when it comes to organizing your photos? We’re here to help. Here are four steps to a more organized photo app.

Step 1: Get Rid of Photos You No Longer Want/Need

Like any good organization project, the process of organizing your photos on your smartphone starts by clearing out all the images you no longer want -- this includes duplicates and accidental photos (you know, the blurry ones you snapped when you meant to reverse your camera).

At first, this might seem like a pretty tedious task. When you consider the thousands of photos currently stored on your phone, it may even feel downright impossible. The good news is that you don’t have to go photo by photo, deleting every duplicate as it appears on your screen.

If you have an iPhone, you can take these steps to get rid of duplicates more efficiently:

Go to your photo app Select ‘Albums’ Scroll to find the ‘Duplicates’ album (yes, Apple really does make it that easy for you!) Tap on the album, and duplicate photos and videos will appear next to each other Tap ‘Merge’ to combine your duplicate pictures/videos Tap ‘Merge’ [number] items

If you have an Android, you can also use a dedicated app to help remove those pesky duplicates.

Step 2: Divide Photos Into Albums/Folders

Once you’ve eliminated all the duplicates and unwanted/accidental photos, your next job is to divide your remaining photos into albums or folders. This step will make it even easier to find the photos you need and save you from wasting time scrolling.

To divide photos into albums on an iPhone, follow these steps:

Create a new album by opening your Photos app and tapping ‘Albums’ Tap the + button, then select ‘New Album’ Type in the Album name, then tap ‘Save’ From here, choose the photos and videos you want to add to the album Tap ‘Done’ when you’re finished

If you have an Android, follow these steps instead:

Open your Gallery Tap ‘Folders’, then ‘More’, then ‘New folder’ Type in the name of your new folder. Choose where you want your folder (SD card or Internal storage) Tap ‘Create’ Select the photos you want to add Tap ‘Move’ or ‘Copy’

Remember that it also helps to name your albums or give them a specific theme so you can quickly find photos when you want to look at them.

For example, if you have a bunch of photos from weddings, you can create separate albums for each event (e.g., Sarah’s Wedding 2024, Michael’s Wedding 2022, etc.). You can also create albums for specific holidays (Christmas 2023, Easter 2024, etc.) and particular types of photos (family photos, friend photos, pet photos, etc.).

Step 3: Don’t Forget to Back Up Your Photos!

There’s nothing worse than losing a photo you loved because you forgot to back it up correctly. Photos have such a special place in our hearts, and it’s devastating when you lose them. Luckily, you can prevent this from happening by backing your images up regularly.

There are lots of ways you can go about backing up your photos, including the following:

Cloud Storage Services

One of the simplest and most popular options for backing up photos is through cloud storage services. Here are some of the best methods you can use:

Google Drive: Use Google Drive to store your photos. Google Photos also offers free storage with slightly compressed images. Apple iCloud: iCloud is suitable for iPhone users. It automatically syncs photos to the cloud. Dropbox: Dropbox is a versatile cloud storage option that allows you to upload and sync photos.

External Hard Drives

You can also invest in an external hard drive and regularly transfer your photos to it. This provides a physical backup outside of your computer or smartphone.

Network-Attached Storage (NAS)

A Network-Attached Storage (NAS) device is a dedicated storage solution that connects to your home network, providing a centralized location for storing and accessing photos.

Automated Backup Software

Use backup software to automatically back up your photos to the cloud or an external drive. These solutions do the heavy lifting for you and allow you to rest easy knowing your photos are being backed up regularly.

Memory Cards and USB Drives

If external hard drives are too bulky, consider storing a copy of your photos on memory cards or USB drives. This is a convenient option for keeping physical backups (just make sure you don’t lose the card/drive; otherwise, you’ll be out of luck!).

Automatic Mobile Backup

If you haven’t already, enable automatic photo backup on your smartphone using services like Google Photos or iCloud.

To enable automatic photo backup via Google Photos, follow these steps:

Install Google Photos: Make sure you have the Google Photos app installed on your Android device. If not, download it from the Google Play Store. Sign in to Your Google Account: Open the Google Photos app and sign in with your Google account. Enable Backup and Sync: Once signed in, tap on your profile picture in the top right corner. Select ‘Photos settings’ or ‘Settings,’ then choose ‘Backup & sync.’ Choose Backup Settings: Toggle the "Backup & sync" switch to enable automatic backup.

To enable automatic photo backup via iCloud, follow these steps:

Enable iCloud Photos: Open the Settings app on your iOS device. Tap on your Apple ID at the top of the screen (your name). Select ‘iCloud’ from the list. Enable iCloud Photos: Scroll down and find ‘Photos.’ Toggle the switch next to ‘iCloud Photos’ to the ON position. If prompted, select either ‘Download and Keep Originals’ or ‘Optimize iPhone Storage.’

Step 4: Print Your Favorites

At this point, you’ve done the hard work of organizing your photos on your smartphone. Don’t hold them hostage inside your device, though.

Instead, print your favorites and display them as unique wall art for your friends and family to admire whenever they stop by your house (this also gives you a chance to improve your interior design and regularly reflect on your favorite memories).

Canvaspop makes it easy for you to print your favorite photos, create custom wall art, and keep up with the current wall art trends. You can choose from canvas prints, metal prints, framed prints, and more.

All you have to do is upload your photos, choose the printing style that speaks to you the most, and then place your order. The finished product will be delivered to your door in no time!

Once you’ve received your prints or metal artwork, you can display them with pride throughout your home. Use art as a statement piece and create a gallery wall in your living room, or showcase your favorite images in your kitchen so you can remember special moments every time you prepare a meal or enjoy a snack.

Wherever you choose to display it, customized artwork is a great way to make your house feel more like a home.

Ready to organize?

Organizing your smartphone photos is a rewarding activity that enhances your enjoyment of your digital memories -- especially when you take the next step and print your photos so you can use them as decorative elements and enjoy them daily (instead of whenever you happen to be scrolling through your photo app).

Follow the tips shared above so you can organize your photos, make your photo app a less daunting place, and stay ahead of the latest and greatest interior decor trends.

Check out our printing and wall decor options today!