Keywords in Apple Photos

On iOS 27 or later, keywords in the System Library are the same keywords used by Apple Photos. You can add, edit, and search them in HashPhotos or in Apple Photos — there is no separate System Keyword and HashPhotos Keyword.

When using iCloud Photos, keyword changes sync across devices automatically. It may take a few minutes for Apple Photos to index changes so they appear in search.

See Add Keywords to add or edit keywords in HashPhotos.

On iOS 26 and earlier

On earlier iOS versions, HashPhotos Keywords and System Keywords are separate. HashPhotos Keywords are used only in HashPhotos. System Keywords are managed by Apple Photos and can be searched in the Photos app.

System Keywords can be added or modified on macOS, and you can add or modify them in HashPhotos using the tools below.

System Keywords are synchronized between devices via iOS, and it may take a few minutes for the changes to be reflected across all devices.

Update System Keywords with HashPhotos Keywords

iOS 26 and earlier

Method 1: Full Update

Updates System Keywords for all photos with HashPhotos Keywords.

To access: [Settings > Data > Keyword > Update System Keywords]

Options:

  • Merge enabled: Only adds new HashPhotos Keywords that don't exist in System Keywords
  • Merge disabled:
    • Replaces all System Keywords with HashPhotos Keywords
    • If a photo has System Keywords but no HashPhotos Keywords, all System Keywords will be deleted

Method 2: Partial Update

  • Select the photos you want to update.
  • Select [... > Tools > Update System Keywords] in the toolbar.

Import System Keywords as HashPhotos Keywords

iOS 26 and earlier

Method 1: Full Import

Imports System Keywords as HashPhotos Keywords for all photos.

To access: [Settings > Data > Keyword > Import System Keywords]

Options:

  • Merge enabled: Only adds new System Keywords that don't exist in HashPhotos Keywords
  • Merge disabled:
    • Replaces all HashPhotos Keywords with System Keywords
    • If a photo has HashPhotos Keywords but no System Keywords, all HashPhotos Keywords will be deleted

Method 2: Partial Import

  • Select the photos you want to import.
  • Select [... > Tools > Import System Keywords] in the toolbar.

Auto-Update System Keywords option

iOS 26 and earlier

Turn on the [Settings > Data > Keyword > Auto-Update System Keywords] option to automatically update System Keywords whenever HashPhotos Keywords are added, edited, or deleted.

* When you update System Keywords in HashPhotos, they will also be available in the Apple Photos app, but it may take some time for Apple Photos to index and reflect the changes.

When using iCloud Photos, System Keywords are automatically synchronized across all devices, but the synchronized System Keywords are not automatically synchronized to HashPhotos Keywords. In this case, you can update manually using the Import System Keywords feature.

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