iOS 15 Finally Lets You Block Your Exes From Ruining Your Photo Memories

With iOS 15, Apple is introducing more granular control over the people and places that show up in your Photos Memories, letting you fine tune just who makes random appearances in the ‌Photos‌ app and the ‌Photos‌ widget.

photos app remove from featured

In iOS 14, the option on the right was available, but in iOS 15, the person-specific option is new

You've already been able to select "Suggest Fewer Memories Like This" when viewing a memory in the "For You" section of ‌Photos‌ or remove a photo from photo suggestions entirely, but now you can choose to feature a specific person less often.

When viewing the For You section of the ‌Photos‌ app, you can long press on an image with a person and select the "Feature This Person Less," option to prevent that person from popping up as often. The Remove From Featured ‌Photos‌ option prevents a specific photo from reappearing.

These new controls for better managing what shows up as a featured image will come in handy when an unpleasant memory pops up, perhaps one featuring an ex-partner or a place that has a negative association.

Over the years, people have complained about the Memories feature in the ‌Photos‌ app and some of the people that it opts to feature.


The prior "Suggest Fewer Memories Like This" option that was available in iOS 14 for memory slideshows has been renamed "Feature Less," and you can select specific people, dates, and places to feature less often in Memories.

feature place day less photos

In iOS 14, you could select "Suggest Fewer Memories Like This," but in iOS 15 you can be more specific, choosing people, dates, and places to feature less.

It's also worth noting that in a memory slideshow that Apple suggests, you can also now tap on the grid button on toolbar to enter into a view that shows you all of the photos at once. Just long press on it to get a "Hide from Memory" option that makes it disappear.

These new features are available in the ‌Photos‌ app in the current iOS 15 beta. iOS 15 will be in beta testing for several months, with a launch to come in the fall.

Related Forum: iOS 15

Top Rated Comments

xxray Avatar
33 months ago

Or you could, I don't know, delete the photos?
I don't want to delete photos/memories of times in my life that I'll never get back, but I also don't want to be reminded of my ex when I don't want to be. ??‍♂️
Score: 30 Votes (Like | Disagree)
grantew1 Avatar
33 months ago
Or you could, I don't know, delete the photos?
Score: 26 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ouimetnick Avatar
33 months ago
I’m sure Melinda Gates will find this feature useful especially since she can now allow Apple devices in her household.

I’ve reached out to MacKenzie Scott to let her know as well. ?
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
rictus007 Avatar
33 months ago

am I the only person who dumps all the photos off my phone every couple months? this is only an issue on Facebook for me
No I’m with you …I delete everything… . No evidence, that relationship ever happened.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Konigi Avatar
33 months ago
I'm really glad for this. I've been using Apple OSs for 10 years. Had about 5 partners in the meantime. I don't want to delete the photos. But don't want them to be featured either.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BreakingKayfabe Avatar
33 months ago
Good to know for the divorce.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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