How to put two photos side by side on iPhone

How do you build a Shortcut for it?

The Shortcuts app includes an action that joins images. The setup takes about two minutes. Menu names can change a little between iOS versions, so use the search box in the action list.

Apple documents Shortcuts in its user guide, and the app is the same one used for automations.

1. Open Shortcuts and tap the plus button to create a new shortcut.
2. Add the action Select Photos, and switch on Select Multiple.
3. Add the action Combine Images, and set Mode to Horizontally, with a small spacing.
4. Add Save to Photo Album, or Show Result if you want to look first.
5. Name the shortcut Side by Side and tap Done.
6. Run it, choose two photos, and the result appears.

How do you make the two halves match?

Combine Images joins the photos at their own sizes, so crop both to the same shape first. In Photos, tap Edit, then Crop, and choose the same aspect ratio for each, such as square. Line up the eyes and chin in the same place in both crops. If one photo is far brighter than the other, adjust the exposure slightly, or accept the difference and note it.

Remember the lessons of fair comparison: same distance, same angle, same light. A neat layout cannot fix a mismatched pair. The guide to why before and after photos mislead lists what to check.

What about collage apps?

Many apps make a side by side layout in a few taps, with borders and labels. They are good when you need captions such as Day 1 and Day 28. Check what the app does with your photos. Some upload images to a server, and some add watermarks or ask for a subscription. For private photos, an app that works on the device is a safer choice.

What about a slider?

A slider places two photos on top of each other and lets you drag a handle across. It shows changes in the same position, which is easier for the eye than two separate halves. Glowproof, an iPhone skin photo diary in development, has a Compare screen with a slider and a split view. It shows both dates, the number of days between them and whether the light differed. On the free plan it compares Day 1 with your latest photo, and Pro lets you choose any two dates and zoom both photos to the same area. See side by side comparison.

The app does not describe changes in your skin. It lines the photos up and leaves the reading to you.

How do you keep the images private?

Photos you combine are saved in your library like any others. If you do not want them to sit among holiday pictures, move them to the Hidden album or keep them in a private app. Photos can also appear in shared albums and memories if you are not careful. Check your sharing settings before you hand the phone to someone.

What should you label?

Add the dates and the number of days between the photos. It keeps you honest. A pair labeled Day 1 and Day 28 reads very differently from one with no labels. Add a note if the light or the time of day differed.

Can you make a before and after for social media?

You can, and a few details help. Use square crops so the layout looks tidy. Add the dates or day numbers as text. Mention that the light and distance matched, if they did. Avoid heavy filters, which defeat the point of a comparison. If the photos show your face and you would rather not share it, crop to an area or choose a card style that hides the face. Glowproof's cards default to hiding the face the first time you share.

What about saving the result in the right place?

Save the combined image to a dedicated album so that it does not get lost among other photos. In Photos, create an album named Comparisons and add the images there. Consider deleting extra copies of the originals only if you are sure you have the dated versions elsewhere. A clear folder of dated comparisons becomes a handy timeline in a year.

What if the photos are different sizes?

Crop to a common aspect ratio, as above. If the photos have different resolutions, the larger one will be scaled when combined, and fine detail may look different. For the purposes of judging change, that is acceptable, but do not zoom in to inspect texture across photos of different resolution. Use the same camera for both photos wherever possible.

What can go wrong?

A few things trip people up. The Shortcut may ask for photo access each time, which is normal. The order of selection can decide which photo goes on the left, so tap them in the order you want. If the result is very wide, it may be shown smaller, and you can zoom in. If the Combine Images action seems missing, update iOS or look under Media in the action list. Test with two ordinary photos before using your private ones.

Can you do it on a Mac or iPad too?

Yes. The Shortcuts app is available on iPad and Mac with similar actions, and shortcuts can sync through iCloud if you choose. On a Mac, Preview and Photos can also be used to place images next to each other. The rest of the advice is the same: crop to a matching shape, check the light and add dates.