Apple Updates iOS iLife Apps: iPhoto, GarageBand, and iMovie - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Apple Updates iOS iLife Apps: iPhoto, GarageBand, and iMovie

by

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

178 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
178 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)
178 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
178 months ago
Awesome updates.

My favorite would be the Garageband Ringtone update.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
178 months ago
Guys...reread the title...this is an iOS update.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
178 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

Dynamic Island iPhone 18 Pro Feature

11 Reasons to Wait for the iPhone 18 Pro

Monday May 11, 2026 9:01 am PDT by
We're only four months out from the launch of Apple's premium next-generation smartphone lineup, and while we're not expecting a sea change in terms of functionality, there are still several enhancements rumored to be coming to the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. One thing worth noting is that Apple is reportedly planning a major change to its iPhone release cycle this year, adopting a...
iOS 26

iOS 26.5 Features: Everything New in iOS 26.5

Monday May 11, 2026 5:09 pm PDT by
Apple released iOS 26.5 after a few months of beta testing, and while it doesn't have the Siri features we were hoping for since those are being held until iOS 27, there are a handful of useful changes worth knowing about. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. End-to-End Encryption for RCS Support for end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for RCS messages between iPhone and...
General Apps Reddit Feature

Reddit Starts Blocking Mobile Website, Pushing Users to App Instead

Monday May 11, 2026 6:10 am PDT by
Social network Reddit recently began blocking mobile visitors to its website while pushing them to download the official Reddit app, and it's fair to say that the move is not going down well with users. If you visit reddit.com on your iPhone today, you may see a new popup that can't be dismissed, asking you to "get the app to keep using Reddit." A Reddit spokesperson told Ars Technica...