DB LabsQuick Answer
iOS does not have a one-tap "merge albums" button, but you can manually merge by opening the source album, tapping Select > Select All, then Share > Add to Album, and choosing the target album. After moving photos, delete the empty source albums via Albums > See All > Edit. For repeating workflows, the Shortcuts app can automate the merge with a single tap. Photos in albums are references to the original, so merging never duplicates or deletes the actual photos in your library.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1 Open the Source Album
Launch Photos, tap Albums, and open the album you want to merge into another. This is the album whose contents will be moved.
2 Tap Select
Tap Select in the top right. The album enters selection mode.
3 Select All Photos
Tap Select All in the top left. Every photo in the album gets a blue checkmark. For very large albums, use tap-and-drag selection if Select All is unavailable.
4 Tap Share, Then Add to Album
Tap the Share icon (square with up arrow). Scroll the action sheet down and tap Add to Album. iOS shows your album list.
5 Choose the Target Album
Tap the album you want to merge into. iOS adds all selected photos to that album. The original photos remain in the source album until you remove them.
6 Delete the Empty Source Album
Go back to Albums > See All. Tap Edit in the top right. Tap the red minus icon next to the source album, then tap Delete. The photos themselves stay safely in the target album and your main library.
Shortcuts Method (Advanced)
For recurring merges, use the Shortcuts app:
- Open Shortcuts, tap + to create a new shortcut.
- Add action Get Photos from Album, choose source album.
- Add action Add to Album, choose target album.
- Add action Delete Photos from Album (optional, removes from source).
- Save and run with one tap.
Related Album Tasks
To clean up before merging, try Swype Photo Cleaner to remove duplicates first. For other album tasks, see creating photo albums, album organization guide, and finding duplicate photos.