How to Merge iPhone Photos in 10 Seconds Without an App
There are times when you need to combine multiple iPhone photos into a single image. Maybe you’re preparing a document for work or school, or perhaps you want to post a clean collage on Instagram without using third-party editing apps. In either case, knowing how to merge iPhone photos quickly can save you a lot of time.
The good news is: you don’t need to download any extra apps. By using the built-in Shortcuts app, you can join photos together in less than 10 seconds.
Why Would You Want to Combine iPhone Photos?
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Submitting documents: Some organizations or government portals require all images in one file.
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Social media posts: It’s easier to share a single combined photo on Instagram, instead of uploading several pictures.
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Collages or comparisons: Placing two or more photos side by side makes before-and-after shots or design comparisons much clearer.
The Fastest Way to Merge Photos on iPhone
Apple’s Shortcuts app (pre-installed on iOS) lets you automate tasks with just a few taps. You can create a shortcut that merges photos instantly.
Step 1: Open the Shortcuts App
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On your iPhone, open the Shortcuts app.
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Tap the “+” button in the top right to create a new shortcut.
Step 2: Add the “Select Photos” Action
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In the action search bar, type Select Photos.
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Add it to your shortcut.
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Enable “Select Multiple” so you can pick more than one photo at a time.
Step 3: Add the “Combine Images” Action
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Search for Combine Images and add it.
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By default, it will merge photos horizontally, but you can change it to vertical if needed.
Step 4: Add the “Save to Photos” Action
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Finally, add Save to Photos so the merged image is stored in your photo library.
Once you’ve done this, your shortcut will look like:
Select Photos → Combine Images → Save to Photos
That’s it—you can now merge photos in less than 10 seconds by simply running the shortcut.
Example Result
When you run this shortcut, your selected images are instantly combined into one file. From there, you can upload the merged photo directly to Instagram, attach it to an email, or submit it as part of an online application.
If you also need to change the format (for example, from HEIC to JPG or PNG), check out my other guide: How to Convert iPhone Photos from HEIC to JPG in 5 Seconds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I need a third-party app to merge photos on iPhone?
A: No. The built-in Shortcuts app is enough. You don’t have to install anything else.
Q: Can I control whether the photos are merged vertically or horizontally?
A: Yes. In the “Combine Images” action, you can choose the direction—side by side or stacked vertically.
Q: Will the shortcut always be available once I create it?
A: Yes. You only need to set it up once. After that, you can reuse it anytime with a single tap.
Q: Does merging photos change the quality?
A: The resolution stays high. However, the final file size may be larger since multiple photos are combined.
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