The standard way to find photos on your iPhone, iPad or Mac, is to open the Photos app and tap, scroll and swipe around until you discover the image you’re looking for.
Sure, there are better ways to search, such as using the People & Places albums to sift through your photo library. But there is another technique, and it’s one that will save you a lot of time and frustration when looking for a photo or video.
It is, of course, Siri.
Siri can quickly locate photos and videos using various criteria, including date, location, people, objects, and activities.
In this article, we trigger Siri using the “Hey Siri” voice command. Did you know there are other methods available, depending on your device? You can read about them all in our how to use Siri guide.
Search Photos by date
You can be as specific or general as you like, just say:
Hey Siri, show me photos from December 25, 2006
Hey Siri, show me photos from April 2020
Hey Siri, show me photos from last month
Hey Siri, show me photos from last Christmas
Photos will open and display a search results page, with the search terms you used inserted in the search field.
The results are supplied below. First, there are some suggested keywords relating to your query. Followed by all of the photos that fit the search terms. Next, the results are broken out into People, Moments Categories, and Albums.
Search photos using People & Places
If you have already set up the People album in the Photos app by naming your family members and friends, Siri can help you find their photos with a quick voice command.
Hey Siri, show me photos of Dad
Hey Siri, show me photos of Jane
The same applies to places. Be as general or as specific as you need to be:
Hey Siri, show me photos of Australia
Hey Siri, show me photos of Sydney from last year
Combine all search parameters and get really specific.
Hey Siri, show me photos of Dad and me in Paris
Hey Siri, show me photos of Jane from last May
Hey Siri, show me selfies from today
Hey Siri, show me photos of Dad in Australia from last Christmas
Search Photos for objects and activities
Siri is incredibly smart at recognizing activities and objects.
Hey Siri, show me photos of the beach
Hey Siri, show me photos of rivers
Hey Siri, show me photos of cats
It’s not hyperbolic to say that it’s far quicker and easier to search through large photo and video libraries using Siri.