Accidentally deleted my usual collage app and struggling to find a good replacement. Any recommendations on the best way to create photo collages directly on my iPhone? Need something easy to use and with good customization options. Thanks!
If you accidentally deleted your usual collage app, no worries, there are plenty of great alternatives available right on your iPhone. Here’s a rundown on some good options and how you can use them to create photo collages without much fuss.
- Google Photos:
Google Photos isn’t just for photo backup; it also has a pretty decent collage maker embedded. If you already use it for storing photos, you’re halfway there.
- Open Google Photos.
- Select the photos you want for your collage.
- Tap the “+” icon or “Create” option at the top.
- Choose “Collage”.
- Photos will automatically arrange them into a simple but clean collage, which you can edit further if needed.
Pros: Simple UI, integrates with your photo library.
Cons: Limited customization options.
- Layout from Instagram:
Layout is developed by Instagram and integrates nicely if you’re an Instagram user. It’s straightforward and user-friendly.
- Download and open Layout from Instagram from the App Store.
- Select photos from your gallery.
- The app will show you various layouts instantly.
- Choose one and tweak (resize, mirror, flip) your photos.
Pros: Lots of layout options, intuitive.
Cons: Few advanced editing features.
- Canva:
For more customization, Canva is excellent. While a bit more complex, it offers immense flexibility.
- Download Canva from the App Store.
- Sign up and start a new project; choose “Collage”.
- You can select from varied templates or create your own by dragging elements.
- Add photos, texts, graphics, and adjust layers as needed.
Pros: Highly customizable, rich library of assets.
Cons: Slight learning curve, might be overkill for simple collages.
- PicsArt:
PicsArt combines photo editing and collage making into one powerful app.
- Get PicsArt on the App Store.
- Open the app and go to the collage maker feature.
- Choose “Grids” or “Freestyle” depending on whether you want a structured or more free-form collage.
- Add photos and start editing – resize, move, and add effects.
Pros: Advanced editing features, AR filters.
Cons: Ads in the free version, can be overwhelming.
- Adobe Spark Post:
Adobe Spark gives you professional-quality design tools within simple interfaces.
- Download Adobe Spark Post.
- Start a new collage by selecting from the preset templates.
- Add your photos and adjust as you like – you can even add text and other design elements.
- Spark will auto-adjust to create aesthetically pleasing combinations.
Pros: Professional-quality templates, highly polished.
Cons: Some features require a subscription.
Now, if you want to avoid apps altogether:
- Using the Shortcuts App:
For a DIY approach using Apple’s native Shortcuts app:
- Open the Shortcuts app (already installed on iPhones).
- Create a new Shortcut.
- Add actions like “Select Photos” (to pick your images) and “Combine Images” (to create a collage).
- Specify the placement parameters (create a custom shortcut to layout images as you want).
Once your shortcut is set up, you just run it whenever you want to create a collage. This method is less user-friendly but highly customizable if you’re comfortable with Shortcuts and scripting.
An aside about Sidecar method using external apps if you’re serious about design:
- Using Sidecar to use macOS applications:
If you have a Mac, you can leverage Sidecar with something like Photoshop or Affinity Photo.
- Enable Sidecar on your Mac and iPad/iPhone.
- Use professional design software on your Mac connected to your iPhone/iPad as an extended screen.
- Edit in real-time, using advanced tools available in desktop software.
Pros: Professional-grade tools, multitasking.
Cons: Requires additional hardware, not as portable.
Each of these methods has its strengths. For quick collages, Google Photos or Layout from Instagram should do the trick. For higher customization, Canva and PicsArt offer deeper controls. Didactic feeling enthusiasts might like the Shortcuts DIY method or even Sidecar.
Hopefully, this helps get you back to your collage-making in no time. If you run into issues or have additional requirements like specific formats, let us know, and we can narrow down further!
Forget about Canva, PicsArt, and all that jazz. Ever tried Snapseed? It’s made by Google and way underrated for collages. Yes, it’s essentially a photo editor, but it also features a ‘Photo Collage’ option which is super handy.
- Snapseed:
- Download and open Snapseed.
- Click on ‘+’ and choose ‘Collage’.
- Add your images, reposition them.
Pros: Advanced editing options, no ads.
Cons: Learning curve, might not have as many fancy templates.
Honestly, Google Photos is too basic if you want something more customizable. If you need simplicity and integration, it’s okay, but serious collagers better look elsewhere. And Layout from Instagram? Meh, limited if you aren’t big on Instagram.
Bottom line, Snapseed gives more bang for the buck if you want something robust but not overly complicated like Canva or PicsArt. Anyone who’s serious about their collage game might as well invest a bit of time in learning the ropes of Snapseed.
I see what y’all are saying about Canva and PicsArt, but I gotta throw another name into the ring: PhotoGrid. It’s got a killer combo of ease of use and customization to boot. You get a good blend of both worlds and it doesn’t get enough love.
- PhotoGrid:
- Download it from the App Store.
- Fire it up and select “Grid”.
- You can choose from tons of templates (they have a lot more than the basics).
- Rearrange, resize, add filters, stickers—pretty much anything you can think of.
Pros: Tons of customization, super easy to use.
Cons: Can feel a bit cluttered, has in-app purchases.
Another one worth pitching in is Moldiv. It’s got tons of layout options and seems to cater to both beginners and those who want more control. The interface is pretty straightforward but also lets you dive into more advanced stuff if you want.
- Moldiv:
- Download and open the app.
- Choose “Collage” and select your photos.
- Pick from the pre-set layouts or create your own.
- Add filters, stickers, and text—very flexible.
Pros: Great range of options, intuitive interface.
Cons: Free version has ads and some features are paywalled.
To address the @byteguru’s mention of Snapseed, I gotta disagree a bit. Snapseed’s collage feature is, well, underwhelming. It’s great for individual photo edits but if you’re serious about collaging, Snapseed won’t cut it.
One thing that hasn’t been brought up is using Diptic. This one’s for those who want beautiful, minimalist-looking collages without too much fuss.
- Diptic:
- Download and open the app from the App Store.
- Select a layout template.
- Add your photos and adjust the borders, colors, and filters.
- Save or share directly from the app.
Pros: Clean, elegant designs; very user-friendly.
Cons: Limited functionality in the free version.
And, yeah, if you don’t want to get new apps, the Shortcuts app method mentioned by @techchizkid is solid, but I’d say it’s more for those who like tinkering. For quick and seamless collages, apps are the way to go.
For those who want everything in one place, try PhotoGrid or Moldiv. If you want clean, minimalistic collages, Diptic is your best friend.