How to sort photos on iPhone by date, size, and cleanup priority
Sorting is usually the first step toward a tidy camera roll. The Photos app orders your library by date, and you can find your largest files through iPhone Storage. The real win is turning that order into a decision: group similar shots, keep the best, and let the rest wait in a Review Bin before anything is deleted. KeepFirst helps you sort into a keep-first cleanup instead of endless scrolling.
Sort, then review — step by step
- 1
Sort by date in the Photos app
The Photos app already orders your library by date. Use Library or an album to move oldest-to-newest and work through old batches first.
- 2
Find your largest files
The Photos app does not sort by file size directly. Open Settings, then General, then iPhone Storage to see what is using the most space, and review long videos first.
- 3
Group similar shots
Bursts and retakes are the fastest wins. In KeepFirst, review local similar-photo groups instead of scrolling endlessly.
- 4
Turn sorting into a keep-first review
Once things are grouped, choose the keepers and send the rest to the Review Bin rather than deleting on the spot.
- 5
Confirm deletion when ready
Check the Review Bin and complete deletion through the standard iOS prompt.

Frequently asked questions
- Can you sort iPhone photos by size?
- The Photos app does not sort photos by file size directly. To find large items, open Settings, then General, then iPhone Storage, and review long videos first since they usually take the most space.
- How do I sort iPhone photos by date?
- The Photos app sorts chronologically by default. Your Library and most albums are ordered by date, so you can work from oldest to newest.
- What is the fastest way to sort photos for cleanup?
- Sort by type and size to surface easy wins — screenshots, bursts, and large videos — then review those groups and choose what to keep.
- Does sorting photos delete anything?
- No. Sorting only changes the order you see. In KeepFirst, deletion is a separate, reviewed step, and unselected photos wait in the Review Bin first.
- How do I find and review similar photos while sorting?
- KeepFirst groups similar shots locally so you can compare a burst side by side, keep the best one, and set the rest aside.
Sort into a safer cleanup
Group similar shots, keep the best, and clear the rest with the Review Bin as your safety net.