Search Photos the smart way with Siri

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.

There is another way, and it 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. And some combination thereof.

Search photos by date

Activate Siri on an iPhone by using one of these options:

1. Say “Hey Siri” followed by your request.
2. Press and hold the Side button (iPhone X and newer) or Home button (iPhone 8 and older) on your iPhone.

(If this doesn't work, learn how to set up Siri on an iPhone).

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 2014

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

Suppose you have already set up the People album in the Photos app by naming your family members and friends. In that case, 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 brilliant 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.