On iPhone, you can put photos together with Shortcuts, Freeform, Keynote, or collage tools like Google Photos.
If you came here searching how to put photos together on iphone, you’ve got options that ship with iOS and a few free apps that make collages painless. This guide shows fast paths using the Shortcuts app, a visual board in Freeform, a precise slide in Keynote, and an easy collage maker in Google Photos. Pick the method that fits your goal—before/after, side-by-side, grid, or a mood board—and you’ll save time while keeping image quality intact.
Putting Photos Together On iPhone — Best Built-In Methods
Apple gives you three native routes. Shortcuts can stitch images into one file. Freeform drops images on a board you can size and export. Keynote lets you line things up with pixel-level control, then save the slide as a picture. Below is a snapshot to help you choose quickly.
| Method | Best For | Output Type |
|---|---|---|
| Shortcuts (Combine Images) | Quick side-by-side, vertical stacks, simple grids | Single image (PNG/JPEG) |
| Shortcuts From Share Sheet | One-tap merges straight from Photos | Single image saved or shared |
| Freeform Board | Collages with captions, stickers, arrows | Board export (PDF/image via screenshot or print PDF) |
| Keynote Slide | Exact layout, guides, background color | Export slide as image/PDF |
| Google Photos Collage | Fast templates and auto layouts | Single collage image |
| Canva/Layout Apps | Template heavy designs for social posts | Single collage image |
| Freeform + Markup | Notes, arrows, text on a board before export | Image/PDF screenshot of board |
How To Put Photos Together On iPhone Step By Step
Below are clear, repeatable steps for each route. You’ll see where to tap, how to change layout, and where the export lives. This keeps the workflow short and repeat-proof.
Method 1: Shortcuts “Combine Images” (Fastest)
The Shortcuts app can merge chosen photos in seconds. It runs a chain of actions on your device. Apple’s guide explains the basics of actions and how to build a shortcut in the Shortcuts User Guide.
Create A Reusable Shortcut
- Open Shortcuts > tap + to create a new shortcut.
- Tap Add Action > search Select Photos. Turn on Select Multiple.
- Tap the + below that action > search Combine Images.
- In Combine Images, set Mode to Horizontal, Vertical, or Grid as needed. Set spacing if you want a gap.
- Add Save to Photo Album or Quick Look to preview first.
- Name it “Merge Photos” and pin it to the share sheet if you like.
Run it any time: open the shortcut, pick the photos, get a merged image, then save or share. Apple’s docs also cover image placement inside Keynote and exports, which pairs nicely with this flow when you need precise alignment later on a slide (Keynote image tools).
Use It From Photos (Share Sheet)
- Open Photos > pick multiple pictures.
- Tap Share > scroll to Shortcuts > pick your “Merge Photos” shortcut.
- Choose layout if prompted > preview > save to your library.
Tip: If your share sheet is crowded, tap Edit Actions and add Shortcuts to Favorites for faster access.
Method 2: Freeform Collage (Flexible Canvas)
Freeform gives you a board where images, shapes, text, and links sit together. It’s perfect when you want a scrapbook feel. Apple’s help page walks through the app and board basics for iPhone (Freeform on iPhone).
Build A Collage Board
- Open Freeform > tap New Board.
- Tap the Insert icon > choose Photos to drop in pictures.
- Drag corners to resize. Use the alignment guides to keep edges tidy.
- Add Text for labels. Use shapes or arrows for callouts.
- Pinch to zoom out and fit all images inside the visible canvas.
- Export: Share > Print > zoom the preview to create a PDF, or take a clean full-screen screenshot for an image output.
Freeform shines for mood boards, step sequences, or travel sets. You get freedom to lay things out before you commit to a flat image.
Method 3: Keynote Slide (Pixel-Neat Layout)
Keynote acts like a mini desktop layout tool. You place images, snap to guides, and export the slide. Apple provides detailed instructions for adding images and exporting slides in the iPhone app (Add images; Export options).
Lay Out And Export
- Open Keynote > start a new presentation > pick a blank theme.
- Tap the + > Photo or Video to place pictures.
- Use Arrange tools to align edges, match sizes, or set a grid.
- Change the slide size (Document > Slide Size) if you need a square collage.
- When finished, tap More (⋯) > Export > choose Images or PDF.
This route is great for before/after with a center divider, product grids, or any collage that needs exact spacing.
Method 4: Google Photos Collage (Templates In A Tap)
Google Photos on iPhone includes a Collage tool with simple layouts. The help page shows where to find the tool and how the templates work (Google Photos collage).
Make A Collage
- Open Google Photos > go to Create or Collage.
- Select your pictures (pick the template count first if prompted).
- Apply a layout. Adjust the order if the template allows it.
- Save the new collage to your library.
Choose this when you want results quickly with minimal tweaking. It’s handy for trip recaps and event collections.
Planning Your Layout For Clean Results
A few choices up front make your collage look sharp. Stick to a goal: comparison, story sequence, or gallery. Pick a canvas that fits your end use: square for feeds, 4:5 for social posts, 16:9 for screens. Keep a simple background. Match image heights when you line up a row. Use small gaps to separate frames and avoid crowding.
When you need a quick yes/no path in your head, ask: do you want speed, or control? Shortcuts wins for speed. Keynote wins for control. Freeform sits in the middle for playful boards.
Shortcuts Layout Tips That Save Time
- Ask Each Time: In your shortcut, add a Choose from Menu step for Horizontal, Vertical, or Grid, then route to a matching Combine Images action. One tap picks the layout per run.
- Spacing: Add the Combine Images spacing field to create a clean gutter between photos.
- Share Sheet Slot: Turn on Show in Share Sheet. Pick Images as the type so it appears only when photos are selected.
- Preview First: Insert Quick Look before saving. If the gap or order looks off, cancel and rerun.
Export And File Settings That Matter
Most people want a single image at the end. PNG keeps edges crisp, JPEG keeps file sizes lean. If you need a PDF (big poster, print shop), Keynote and Freeform can hand you that.
| App | How To Export | File Types |
|---|---|---|
| Shortcuts | Add Save to Photo Album or share from Quick Look | PNG or JPEG |
| Freeform | Share > Print (pinch to save as PDF) or full-screen screenshot | PDF or PNG/JPEG |
| Keynote | More (⋯) > Export > Images or PDF | PNG/JPEG/PDF |
| Google Photos | Save from Collage tool | JPEG/PNG (template dependent) |
| Canva/Layout | Export from the app | PNG/JPEG/PDF |
Quality Checklist Before You Share
Open the merged image at full size. Zoom to check edges. If faces look soft, re-export at a larger canvas. In Keynote, set slide size to your target aspect first. In Shortcuts, increase spacing to avoid cramped borders. Keep text readable by using high contrast and a simple font. If colors clash, add a thin white or black frame around each photo in your editor of choice.
Troubleshooting Merges And Collages
Combine Images Action Missing Or Not Working
Update iOS and Shortcuts, then rebuild the shortcut with Select Photos → Combine Images → Quick Look → Save. Ensure the shortcut is allowed to access your photos when prompted. If the button for layout is hidden, add a menu step so you can pick horizontal, vertical, or grid each run. Apple’s Shortcuts User Guide covers actions and permissions in plain steps (Shortcuts basics).
Freeform Export Feels Tricky
Think of the board as infinite. Zoom to frame the area you want, then use Print to create a PDF, or grab a clean full-screen screenshot. Apple’s page on Freeform explains board handling and inserts (Freeform overview).
Need A Precise Grid With Even Rows
Drop images on a Keynote slide and use alignment guides to match sizes. Duplicate a sized image, then replace with a new photo to keep uniform frames. When done, export the slide as PNG for a sharp collage (Add an image; Export).
Which Method Should You Use?
Pick the route that matches your goal:
- Fast side-by-side: Shortcuts.
- Story board with labels: Freeform.
- Exact grid for print: Keynote.
- Template look with zero setup: Google Photos.
Use Shortcuts when you repeat merges often. Keep one shortcut for horizontal lines, one for vertical stacks, and one for grids. Pin them to the share sheet for speed right inside Photos.
Practical Recipes You Can Reuse
Before/After Divider
- Keynote: set slide to 4:5 or 16:9. Add two images. Align centers. Add a thin rectangle as a divider.
- Export as PNG. Post or print.
Three-Across Product Row
- Shortcuts: Combine Images set to Horizontal with spacing at 20 px and background white.
- Run from the share sheet after selecting three photos in Photos.
Travel Mood Board
- Freeform: drop 6–10 images, add labels for place and date, draw arrows to link moments.
- Print to PDF, share the PDF, or take a full-screen shot for an image.
FAQ-Free Wrap-Up You Can Act On
You now know how to put photos together on iphone with four clean paths. Shortcuts handles quick merges. Freeform lets you play and annotate. Keynote locks down spacing for a gallery-neat result. Google Photos gives a ready-made collage. Keep one method pinned in muscle memory, and you’ll produce tidy layouts every time you need them.