How to Create and Use Smart Albums on iPhone/iPad
A smart album collects photos and videos that match a search filter. New matches appear as your library changes — you do not add items by hand.
Smart albums exist only in HashPhotos. They are not shown in the Photos app. Search first so you can see the results, then save that filter as an album you can open from the sidebar anytime.
PRO Free: up to 1 smart album. Smart Folder is Pro only.
Some search filters may be slow or not included in the search results before indexing is complete.
1. Search to preview the filter
Build the filter on the thumbnails screen first. If the list looks right, turn it into a smart album in the next step — the current search is filled in automatically.
- Tap the search button on the bottom right of the screen.
- Tap the keyword button (tag icon).
- Enter your own keywords, or built-in filters that start with # or @. See Search by Keywords.
2. Create a smart album
- Open the sidebar.
- Tap the + button on the sidebar toolbar.
- Choose Smart Album (or Local Smart Album in the Local Library).
- Enter the search filter. If a search is already active, it is filled in for you.
- Enter the album name.
Open the album from the sidebar later. Matching items stay in sync as you add, edit, rate, or delete photos.
Guide: Smart Album.
3. Combine filters with AND, OR, and NOT
One filter is enough for a simple album. Combined filters are more useful: keepers that are photos, large videos, weekend shots with people, or items that are not in any album yet.
- Match All Keywords (AND) — every filter must match. Use this for the examples below.
- Match Any Keyword (OR) — a photo matches if it hits any of the filters.
- Put ! in front of a filter to exclude it. For example !#inalbum finds items that are not in any album.
Long-press a filter to delete it, toggle !, or edit its value. Double-tap a filter that takes a value (such as #title:TEXT) to change it.
PRO Free: up to 3 filters at a time. Regular expressions are Pro only.
4. Useful smart album filters
Copy a filter into search, confirm the results, then save it as a smart album. Replace example keywords and sizes with your own.
Keepers
Four- and five-star shots, or items you marked as favorite. Ratings can also drive Rating & Flag while you review.
This day in history
Photos taken on today’s month and day in other years. Open it on a birthday or anniversary.
Photos not in any album
A running list of items still waiting to be filed. Pair it with categorize into albums or the Uncategorized album.
Screenshots
Review, convert, or delete screenshots without hunting through Recents.
Large videos
Videos over 150 MB — typical candidates to compress or delete. See free up storage and sort by file size.
PRO #filesize is Pro only. Free can still use #video and sort by file size.
Edited, Live Photos, and leftovers
Filters that help clean storage: edited items that still keep an original, Live Photos, and items you already marked to drop.
Recent, night, and nearby
By camera
#camera: matches text in the camera model. Make one smart album per camera you use — phone shots stay separate from a Sony or Canon body. Use a brand name, or a specific model.
PRO #camera: is Pro only. For a specific model, use something like #camera:iPhone 14.