Find what you need (click to jump to section)
- Why combine photos on your iPhone?
- How to combine photos on iPhone without an app
- The cool squad: Best apps to combine two photos together
- Creative ideas for combining photos on iPhone
- Last-minute tips for combining photos
- FAQ
- Summary
Got a killer selfie but wish you could pair it with that stunning sunset shot? How about combining your best-selling items into one irresistible collage? Combining photos on your iPhone is the secret sauce to creating jaw-dropping visual content, and it’s easier than you think.
This guide will show you how to combine photos on your iPhone like a pro, whether you’re using your own phone or a photo-editing app. Let’s dive in.
Why combine photos on your iPhone?
Combining two photos together opens up a world of possibilities. You can create fun collages, cool double exposures, before-and-after comparisons, or even add yourself into a picture with your favorite celebrity (Taylor Swift, are you reading this?).
Here’s a small taste of the things you’ll be able to create once learning how to combine two photos together:
- Impress shoppers with beautiful product shots
- Design Instagram-worthy collages
- Grab attention with before-and-after, or then-and-now photos
- Create adorable photo memories for your friends & family
How to combine photos on iPhone without an app
Believe it or not, you don’t always need a fancy app. You’ve got options: from quick, built-in tools on your iPhone to friendly AI-powered apps. Let’s start with the tools you’ve already got, the ones on your iPhone.
1. The screenshot method (the quick fix):
This method is built right into your iPhone, making it perfect for fast, simple photo combinations. Word of caution: the quality won’t be amazing but can totally pass if you’re casually sharing.
Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Get your pics ready in an album
- Open the Photos app on your iPhone
- Go to the album where you have the two pics you want to combine (tip: you can’t use the ‘Recents’ album for this method).
- Name your album
Don’t have an album with these pics yet? Create a new album:
- Tap ‘Albums’ at the bottom of the screen
- Then, tap the “create” button in the top right corner to create a new album
- Tap ‘New Album’, name your Album, and Tap ‘Create’
- Add your pics by tapping “+”, selecting them, and tapping ‘Add’
Step 2: Stage your photos in the album. When you have both pics in the album:
- Tap the up/down arrows button in the lower left corner
- Choose ‘Sort by Custom Order’ to drag and drop your pics where you want them
Step 3: Take the screenshot
- Before taking the screenshot, make sure you can see both pics in the shot. Not seeing both pics in full? Zoom out until everything fits perfectly.
- Ready? Press and hold the Side Button and Volume Up Button simultaneously to take a screenshot
Tip: Using an older iPhone without a side button? Use the Home Button + Side Button instead.
Step 4: Save your work. Happy with your new pic?
- Tap ‘Done’ in the top left corner
- Choose ‘Save to Photos’
And just like that, you’ve got yourself a new combined photo. Time to go make your Instagram followers jealous.
2. The Shortcuts app (for smarter combining)
If you’re looking for more polished results, check out the Shortcuts app. This hidden gem lets you create automated workflows, including… photo combinations!
To use this free app, you’ll need to find or create a shortcut that combines images (no worries, we’ll show you how).
Step 1: Getting started
- First, make sure you have the Shortcuts app. It’s free and comes with iOS, but if you don’t see it you can grab it from the App Store
- Open the Shortcuts app
Step 2: Create a photo combining shortcut (Relax, it takes a second)
A shortcut is like a tiny productivity app within your iPhone that can crunch tasks in seconds. In this case, creating a photo combination shortcut turns your iPhone into a mini photo-merging powerhouse.
The easiest way to use Shortcuts
The simplest way to combine pics is using a pre-made shortcut. Search online for “combine photos shortcut iPhone” and choose the shortcut you like best.
Here are two safe and popular options you can try:
- RoutineHub: Offers well-reviewed shortcuts, including some for photo combining
- Shortcutsgallery.com: A curated list where you can find “Combine Images” shortcuts
When you find the shortcut you like:
- Tap the link to add it directly to your Shortcuts library
- Open the Shortcuts app on your iPhone
- Find the ‘Combine Photos’ shortcut. Tap it to run it
- Now, the shortcut will ask you to select the photos you want to combine
- Next, the app will ask you to choose a layout for your pics (different shortcuts might offer different options)
- Tap “Save” to add the combined photo to your library.
Now, whenever you want to combine photos, just tap your shortcut and let it do its thing. Sweet, right?
Pro tip: If you want more control over how your photos are combined, you can create your own shortcut. This awesome guide from Apple has very clear steps.
The cool squad: Best apps to combine two photos together
Sometimes you want your pics to look extra special. That’s when these amazing photo-editing apps come in handy. Let’s meet the crew.
#Bazaart: The iPhone design studio
Made for iPhone, Bazaart feels like a natural extension of your phone. It just gets what you want to do, and helps you create amazing collages and photo combinations – like magic, but, you know, with your fingers.
What can you create?
- Stunning photo collages & mashups
- Magazine-like text and image layouts
- Ready-made, built-to-convert social media designs
- Sleek product shots and profile pics with AI-powered backgrounds
#Canva: The drag-and-design powerhouse
Canva is like the Swiss Army knife of design apps: it’s versatile, easy to use, and perfect for creating everything from social media posts to marketing materials, even if you’ve never designed anything before.
What can you create?
- Custom Invitations, cards & flyers
- Crisp presentations & marketing materials
- Instagram-worthy collages
- Branded documents and reports
#PicCollage: Quick fixes & fun vibes
PicCollage’s collection of whimsical stickers and frames makes it a go-to for anyone who wants to add a touch of fun to their photos, from young teenagers to grown-ups.
What can you create?
- Adorable birthday cards that bring the smiles
- Family and friend collages with fun stickers
- The most amazing holiday cards
- Photo dumps to showcase many memories at once
Creative ideas for combining photos on iPhone
| Why it’s awesome | Perfect for | |
|---|---|---|
| Before & after transformations | Show off your progress and inspire others | Fitness journeys, home makeovers, glow-ups |
| Side-by-side reaction pics | Create hilarious memes with pets, babies, or even your own face | Social media, WhatsApp |
| Throwback collages | Compare childhood pics, vacation spots over time, or friendships then and now | Social media, memory sharing, sentimental posts |
| Fantasy photos | Put yourself next to a celeb, in a dreamy vacation spot or in a fantasy world | Social media fun, an art portfolio |
| Product showcases | Show off multiple angles or color variations in one pic | Online stores, product listings, social media |
Last-minute tips for combining photos
- Use high-quality photos – Always start with the best quality photos you have. Blurry or pixelated images can botch your final result.
- Play with layouts – Be adventurous! Test different layouts to see what works best. Sometimes, an unexpected layout can make even less impressive photos shine.
FAQ
Most apps let you choose your export quality. Always go for the highest resolution if you’re planning to print or want to maintain maximum detail.
Absolutely! All three apps listed in the article have AI photo-editing tools. You can see and compare features by going to Bazaart’s AI Photo Editor, Canva’s Magic Studio, and PicCollage’s Photo Card Wizard.
Bazaart makes it easy to add transparent overlays with a ready-made collection of styles called “effects”. You can tap to add any effect to your image, from classic touches to niche designs.
The best way is to use an app that lets you freely resize and rotate images. This gives you more control over the final result than built-in methods.
Summary
So there you have it. Now that you know how to combine two photos together on iPhone, the world is your playground. Whether you’re using iPhone’s built-in tools or a photo editing app, you’re ready to create some seriously amazing content.
And hey, don’t forget to tag us in your creations! We love seeing what our photo-combining family creates!