The iOS Photos app's "People" folder offers a convenient way to organize and find photos of specific individuals. However, sometimes you might want to remove a particular person's face from the "People" folder, perhaps because you're no longer close to that individual or you want to keep your photos private. While the iOS Photos app doesn't provide a direct option to remove a specific face from the "People" folder, there are a few workarounds you can use to achieve this. This article will guide you through these methods, helping you manage your "People" folder and keep your photos organized according to your needs.
Removing a Face from the "People" Folder: A Guide
The "People" folder in the iOS Photos app automatically groups photos based on facial recognition. This feature is designed to make finding photos of specific individuals easier. However, if you want to remove a face from the "People" folder, you'll need to take a different approach. Here are the methods you can use to achieve this:
1. Delete the Photos Containing the Face
The most straightforward method is to delete the photos containing the face you want to remove from the "People" folder. This approach will directly eliminate the face from the Photos app's facial recognition database. Here's how to do it:
- Open the Photos app on your iOS device.
- Navigate to the "People" folder.
- Tap on the person's face you want to remove.
- Select the photos containing the face you wish to delete.
- Tap on the trash icon to delete the photos.
By deleting the photos, the associated face will be removed from the "People" folder, and the iOS Photos app will no longer recognize that face.
2. Hide the Face from the "People" Folder
If you don't want to delete the photos but still want to remove the face from the "People" folder, you can hide the face. This will prevent the face from appearing in the "People" folder but will keep the photos intact. Here's how to hide a face:
- Open the Photos app on your iOS device.
- Navigate to the "People" folder.
- Tap on the person's face you want to hide.
- Tap on the "More" button (three dots) at the top right corner of the screen.
- Select "Hide Face".
The face will now be hidden from the "People" folder, but you can still access the photos containing the face by searching for them using keywords or by browsing through the albums.
3. Reset Facial Recognition
If you want to completely remove all facial recognition data from your Photos app, you can reset the facial recognition feature. This will remove all faces from the "People" folder and reset the facial recognition data for your entire photo library.
Caution: This method will delete all facial recognition data, including faces you may want to keep in the "People" folder.
- Open the Settings app on your iOS device.
- Scroll down and tap on "Photos".
- Scroll down and tap on "Reset Facial Recognition".
- Confirm your decision by tapping on "Reset".
This action will completely remove all facial recognition data, and the "People" folder will be empty. You can then retrain the facial recognition feature by going through your photos again.
Tips for Managing the "People" Folder
- Use the "More" button: The "More" button next to the "People" folder offers additional options, such as "Merge Faces" (combining two faces into one), "Suggest Faces" (letting the app suggest faces for new people), and "Rename Face" (changing the name associated with a person's face).
- Review the "People" folder regularly: Regularly review the "People" folder to ensure it accurately reflects your needs. You can remove faces you no longer want to see, merge faces that are mistakenly separated, and add new faces as you take new photos.
- Use keywords for searching: To find specific photos, you can use keywords in the search bar. This can be a helpful alternative to relying solely on the "People" folder.
Conclusion
While the iOS Photos app doesn't directly support removing individual faces from the "People" folder, the methods described above can help you achieve your desired outcome. By deleting the photos containing the face, hiding the face, or resetting facial recognition, you can customize the "People" folder to your preferences. Remember to regularly review and manage your "People" folder to ensure it accurately reflects your desired photo organization. By utilizing these techniques, you can maintain a clean and efficient "People" folder, making it easier to find the photos you need.
