---
title: "How to Merge Albums on iPhone Photos"
description: "Step-by-step guide to merging multiple albums into one on iPhone. Use the Photos app, drag-and-drop, and shortcuts to combine albums."
url: https://dblabsapps.com/how-to/merge-iphone-albums/
date: 2026-04-07
---

Updated April 7, 2026

By [Jack Smith](https://dblabsapps.com/about/jack-smith/), iOS Developer at DB Labs

# How to Merge Albums on iPhone Photos

iPhone Photos has no built-in merge command, but you can combine albums in three different ways depending on how many photos you're moving.

April 7, 2026  ·  5 min read

## Quick 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:

1. Open Shortcuts, tap **+** to create a new shortcut.

2. Add action **Get Photos from Album**, choose source album.

3. Add action **Add to Album**, choose target album.

4. Add action **Delete Photos from Album** (optional, removes from source).

5. Save and run with one tap.

## Related Album Tasks

To clean up before merging, try [Swype Photo Cleaner](https://dblabsapps.com/apps/swype-photo-cleaner/) to remove duplicates first. For other album tasks, see [creating photo albums](https://dblabsapps.com/how-to/create-photo-album-iphone/), [album organization guide](https://dblabsapps.com/guides/iphone-photo-albums-organization-guide/), and [finding duplicate photos](https://dblabsapps.com/how-to/find-remove-duplicate-photos-iphone/).

## Tidy Albums Faster

Clean duplicates and similar shots before merging — Swype Photo Cleaner makes it fast.

Free · iPhone · iOS 16+

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Can I merge iPhone albums into one?

iOS has no one-tap merge, but you can copy photos from one album to another using Select All > Add to Album. Shortcuts can automate it.

### Will merging albums delete photos?

No. Photos in albums are references to the original. Adding to a new album doesn't duplicate or delete the photo in your library.

### How do I delete an empty album on iPhone?

Photos > Albums > See All > Edit. Tap the red minus icon next to the album, then Delete. Photos remain in your library.