<!--
{
  "availability" : [
    "iOS: 8.0.0 -",
    "iPadOS: 8.0.0 -",
    "macOS: 10.11.0 -",
    "macCatalyst: 13.1.0 -",
    "tvOS: 10.0.0 -",
    "watchOS: 10.0.0 -",
    "visionOS: 1.0.0 -"
  ],
  "documentType" : "article",
  "framework" : "PhotoKit",
  "identifier" : "/documentation/PhotoKit",
  "metadataVersion" : "0.1.0",
  "role" : "collection",
  "title" : "PhotoKit"
}
-->

# PhotoKit

Work with image and video assets that the Photos app manages, including those from iCloud Photos and Live Photos.

## Discussion

PhotoKit is the combination of the Photos and PhotosUI frameworks. Using the capabilities of these two frameworks, you can access image and video assets that the Photos app manages. You might use PhotoKit to edit or display a person’s photos, or to manage collections of assets such as albums, Moments, and Shared Albums. The framework provides access to photos on the person’s device and in iCloud.

![A flowchart showing the types of requests your app can make through PhotoKit to access photos stored in a person’s photo library. On the left are boxes labeled iCloud photos and Local photo library, with arrows pointing to and from PhotoKit. On the far right is an icon representing your app, with an arrow flowing to PhotoKit. Below PhotoKit is a list of outputs with icons, including Slideshow, Calendar, and Wall decor.](images/com.apple.photokit/media-3030182@2x.png)

## Topics

### Frameworks

Reference the APIs that compose PhotoKit.

[`Photos`](/documentation/Photos)

Work with image and video assets that the Photos app manages, including those from iCloud Photos and Live Photos.

[`PhotosUI`](/documentation/PhotosUI)

Present a person’s photo library using a picker interface, display Live Photos, or extend the Photos app with custom functionality.

### Sample code

Browse sample code that walks through specific Photos and PhotosUI workflows.

  <doc://com.apple.photokit/documentation/PhotoKit/browsing-and-modifying-photo-albums>

  <doc://com.apple.photokit/documentation/PhotoKit/selecting-photos-and-videos-in-ios>

  <doc://com.apple.photokit/documentation/PhotoKit/bringing-photos-picker-to-your-swiftui-app>

  <doc://com.apple.photokit/documentation/PhotoKit/implementing-an-inline-photos-picker>

  <doc://com.apple.photokit/documentation/PhotoKit/creating-a-slideshow-project-extension-for-photos>

### Articles

Browse articles that cover high-level Photos and PhotosUI tasks.

  <doc://com.apple.photokit/documentation/PhotoKit/delivering-an-enhanced-privacy-experience-in-your-photos-app>

  <doc://com.apple.photokit/documentation/PhotoKit/fetching-objects-and-requesting-changes>

  <doc://com.apple.photokit/documentation/PhotoKit/loading-and-caching-assets-and-thumbnails>

  <doc://com.apple.photokit/documentation/PhotoKit/displaying-live-photos>

  <doc://com.apple.photokit/documentation/PhotoKit/creating-photo-editing-extensions>



---

Copyright &copy; 2026 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. | [Terms of Use](https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/terms/site.html) | [Privacy Policy](https://www.apple.com/privacy/privacy-policy)