Apple today updated its suite of iLife apps for iOS, delivering new versions of iPhoto, GarageBand, and iMovie.

ilife ios icons
The most significant update appears to be to iPhoto, which has gained over 30 new features and improvements in version 1.1, including support for the fourth- and fifth-generation iPod touch, new ink effects, and support for images of up to 36.5 megapixels on the iPhone 5 and third-generation iPad. A partial list of changes includes:

- Added support for iPod touch (4th generation and later)
- Coaching tips have been added to the Help system on the iPhone and iPod touch
- Effects now include six new Apple-designed ink effects such as Chalk and Palette Knife
- Images up to 36.5 megapixels are now supported*
- Full resolution photos can now be imported via iTunes File Sharing
- Tag albums can be created by adding custom tags to photos
- "Updating Library" alert appears less frequently
- Multiple photos can now be saved to the Camera Roll at one time
- Cropping presets now use detected faces to determine composition
- Tilt-shift and gradient effects can now be rotated

GarageBand has been updated to version 1.3, bringing several new features including the ability to create custom ringtones and alert tones under iOS 6.

- Create custom ringtones and alerts for your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch
- Import songs from the Music library on your iOS device
- Play or record with GarageBand in the background while using other apps
- Addresses a number of minor issues related to overall performance and stability

iMovie moves to version 1.4, adding new trailer options and other features.

- Three new trailers — Adrenaline, Coming of Age, and Teen
- Add photos to any trailer and have them automatically animate with the Ken Burns effect
- On iPad, open the Precision Editor to create split audio edits
- Play clips in the Video Browser before adding them to your project
- Create a slideshow by sharing photos from iPhoto for iOS
- Tap the help icon to display Coaching tips
- 1080p HD upload resolution is now available for sharing to YouTube, Facebook, Vimeo, and CNN iReport
- Audio recordings captured in a project now appear in the Audio Browser for easy access

Top Rated Comments

gforce216 Avatar
172 months ago
SO MANY UPDATES!!

But seriously, this is awesome. It makes me realize just how big of a company Apple is and the amount of manpower needed for this kind of massive update across so many products. Looking at the iPhoto update alone is chore to just get through the list of new additions.

Props to everyone over at Apple.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Caliber26 Avatar
172 months ago
My goodness. All these updates in one day is like a mini Christmas. I'm gonna need a celebratory cocktail when it's all done. :)
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jimmer-uk Avatar
172 months ago
iPhoto on mac and iPhoto on iOS still don't talk to each other and share albums :(
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Bradllez Avatar
172 months ago
Awesome updates.

My favorite would be the Garageband Ringtone update.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
drewc1138 Avatar
172 months ago
Guys...reread the title...this is an iOS update.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
milo Avatar
172 months ago
Try Logic Audio - pretty sure GB is based on it.

I assume he was talking about a pro audio iOS app.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

AirPods Pro Firmware Feature

Apple Releases New Firmware for AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, and AirPods 4

Thursday November 13, 2025 11:35 am PST by
Apple today released new firmware designed for the AirPods Pro 3, the AirPods 4, and the prior-generation AirPods Pro 2. The AirPods Pro 3 firmware is 8B25, while the AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4 firmware is 8B21, all up from the prior 8A358 firmware released in October. There's no word on what's include in the updated firmware, but the AirPods Pro 2, AirPods 4 with ANC, and AirPods Pro 3...
CarPlay Pinned Messages

iOS 26.2 Adds New CarPlay Setting

Thursday November 13, 2025 6:48 am PST by
iOS 26 extended pinned conversations in the Messages app to CarPlay, for quick access to your most frequent chats. However, some drivers may prefer the classic view with a list of individual conversations only, and Apple now lets users choose. Apple released the second beta of iOS 26.2 this week, and it introduces a new CarPlay setting for turning off pinned conversations in the Messages...
iPhone Pocket Short

iPhone Pocket Now Available to Order, But Already Selling Out

Friday November 14, 2025 6:20 am PST by
Apple recently teamed up with Japanese fashion brand ISSEY MIYAKE to create the iPhone Pocket, a limited-edition knitted accessory designed to carry an iPhone. iPhone Pocket is available to order on Apple's online store starting today, in the United States, France, China, Italy, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, and the United Kingdom. However, it is already completely sold out in the United...
tvOS 26 Profiles

tvOS 26.2 Adds a Useful New Feature to Your Apple TV

Friday November 14, 2025 10:02 am PST by
Starting with the upcoming tvOS 26.2 update, currently in beta, additional profiles created on the Apple TV no longer require their own Apple Account. In the Settings app on the Apple TV, under Profiles and Accounts, anyone can create a new profile by simply entering a name and indicating whether the profile is for a kid. The profile will be associated with the primary user's Apple Account,...
Tim Cook WWDC 2018

Report: Tim Cook to Step Down as Apple CEO 'as Soon as Next Year'

Saturday November 15, 2025 2:40 pm PST by
Apple is preparing for Tim Cook to step down as CEO of the company "as soon as next year," according to the Financial Times. The company's board of directors and senior executives "recently intensified preparations for Cook to hand over the reins," the report said. While the report said that Apple is unlikely to name a new CEO before its next earnings report in late January, it went on to ...
apple silicon mac lineup 2024 feature purple m5

Apple's 2026 Mac Plans

Friday November 14, 2025 3:23 pm PST by
Most of Apple's Macs are slated to get M5 chips across 2026, and there's a possibility we'll even see the first M6 chips toward the end of the year. Updates are planned for everything from the MacBook Air to the Mac Studio. MacBook Air (Early 2026) The MacBook Air will be one of the first Macs to get a 2026 refresh, with an update planned for the first few months of the year. The MacBook...
walmart new ornametns

Walmart Black Friday Deals Begin Today With Low Prices on Headphones, TVs, and More

Friday November 14, 2025 7:55 am PST by
Walmart's Black Friday sale has officially kicked off today, with an online shopping event that's also seeing some matching deals in retail locations. There are quite a few major discounts in this sale, including savings on headphones, TVs, and more. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Walmart. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us...
best early black friday deals

Best Black Friday Apple Deals Live Now - Save on AirPods, iPads, and Apple Watches

Saturday November 15, 2025 1:45 pm PST by
We're officially in the month of Black Friday, which will take place on Friday, November 28 in 2025. As always, this will be the best time of the year to shop for great deals, including popular Apple products like AirPods, iPad, Apple Watch, and more. In this article, the majority of the discounts will be found on Amazon. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When ...
iOS 26

iOS 26.2 Available Next Month With These 8 New Features

Tuesday November 11, 2025 9:48 am PST by
Apple released the first iOS 26.2 beta last week. The upcoming update includes a handful of new features and changes on the iPhone, including a new Liquid Glass slider for the Lock Screen's clock, offline lyrics in Apple Music, and more. In a recent press release, Apple confirmed that iOS 26.2 will be released to all users in December, but it did not provide a specific release date....
homepod mini thumb feature

New HomePod Mini, Apple TV, and AirTag Were Expected This Year — Where Are They?

Wednesday November 12, 2025 11:42 am PST by
While it was rumored that Apple planned to release new versions of the HomePod mini, Apple TV, and AirTag this year, it is no longer clear if that will still happen. Back in January, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said Apple planned to release new HomePod mini and Apple TV models "toward the end of the year," while he at one point expected a new AirTag to launch "around the middle of 2025." Yet,...