Google Photos albums show photos by date by default, but you can put them in any order you like, which is perfect for telling the story of a trip, building a slideshow, or putting the best shot first. You can drag photos into a custom order or sort the whole album by date. This guide covers both methods on a computer, Android, and iPhone, plus how to change the album cover.
Google updates the Photos app often, so button names may vary slightly between versions.
Quick Answer
Open the album, tap or click the three-dot menu, and choose Edit album. Drag photos to new positions and tap Done (or the check mark). To sort automatically, choose Sort in edit mode and pick Oldest first, Newest first, or Recently added.
Rearrange Photos on Android or iPhone
- Open the Google Photos app and tap Collections (or Library), then open the album.
- Tap the three-dot menu in the top-right and choose Edit album.
- Touch and hold a photo, then drag it to its new position.
- Repeat for other photos.
- Tap the check mark or Done to save.
Rearrange Photos on a Computer
- Go to photos.google.com and click Albums.
- Open the album.
- Click the three-dot menu and choose Edit album.
- Click and drag photos into the order you want.
- Click the check mark at the top-left to save.
Sort an Album Automatically
| Sort option | Result |
|---|---|
| Oldest first | Earliest photo date at the top, great for trips and events |
| Newest first | Most recent photos at the top |
| Recently added | Photos added to the album most recently appear first |
Choose Sort (or Sort photos) in edit mode. Sorting replaces any custom order, so sort first and then drag individual photos if you want to fine-tune.
Fix Photos With the Wrong Date
If photos sort in the wrong place, their date may be incorrect. Open the photo, tap the three dots (or Info), and edit the date and time. Then sort the album again.
Change the Album Cover
- Open the album and tap the photo you want as the cover.
- Tap the three-dot menu and choose Use as album cover.
Tips
- Add text: in edit mode, tap the text icon to add captions or headings between photos, great for trip albums.
- Shared albums: collaborators may be able to rearrange photos depending on album settings.
- Large albums: use a computer for easier dragging across many photos.
Troubleshooting
I cannot drag photos
Make sure you are in Edit album mode. Some automatic albums (like people or places) cannot be reordered; create a regular album instead.
My order reset
Sorting by date overrides custom order. Save changes with the check mark before leaving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I rearrange photos in the main Photos view?
No. The main library is always sorted by date. Custom order only works in albums.
Does rearranging change the photo files?
No. It only changes the order within the album.
Can I rearrange photos in a shared album?
The album owner, and sometimes collaborators, can edit the album order.
Summary
- Open the album and choose Edit album.
- Drag photos into your preferred order.
- Use Sort for date-based order.
- Save with the check mark.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.