Ed Sheeran is dialing up nostalgia in more ways than one. On May 1, the British singer-songwriter released his new single Old Phone and marked the occasion by turning his phone back on—nearly 10 years after famously disconnecting.
But the biggest surprise? A treasure trove of rare throwback photos that had been sitting untouched in his photo gallery for years.
Swifties notice one interesting detail – Taylor’s ex
Among the personal snapshots shared on a new Instagram account, one picture instantly sent fans into a frenzy: a 2015 moment from the Billboard Music Awards featuring Taylor Swift with then-boyfriend Calvin Harris, flanked by Louis Tomlinson and Niall Horan of One Direction.
Ed Sheeran/ Instagram
Ed hilariously captioned the pic: “2015 billboard awards. I’m dribbly drunk at this point.” Fans of all four music stars — Ed, Taylor, Calvin, and 1D — flooded the comments, grateful for the unexpected blast from the past.
Ed Sheeran/ Instagram
A Beach Day with Taylor Swift and Hailee Steinfeld
The photo dump also included memories from 2013, when Ed was on Taylor Swift’s Red Tour. One standout image showed a “mid tour beach trip” in Rhode Island, taken the same year Taylor famously bought her seaside mansion, Holiday House, in Westerly.
The candid beach photo captured Taylor walking barefoot in the sand with Hailee Steinfeld, a close friend at the time, while another unidentified friend snapped their photo from ahead. Ed, ever the observer, took the shot from behind — giving fans a rare, relaxed glimpse into their off-stage lives.
Ed Sheeran/ Instagram
Pizza, Soda, and Friendship Goals
Another lighthearted memory included Taylor holding up two slices of cheese pizza outside a local Westerly pizzeria, with Hailee sipping on a soda beside her. “Getting pizza somewhere on tour,” Ed captioned the laid-back moment.
Additional snaps in the collection included a sweet selfie of Ed and Taylor, as well as pictures of Ed reconnecting with old school friends — further showing how meaningful these archived moments were to him.
Ed Sheeran/ Instagram
A Decade of Friendship: Ed & Taylor’s Story
Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift first became friends in 2011 after she covered his breakout hit The A Team while on tour.
The bond quickly grew, leading to their collaboration on her 2012 album Red and Sheeran’s spot as the opening act on her 2013 world tour. Their creative partnership and genuine friendship have remained a favorite among fans ever since.
Now, with Old Phone marking a new chapter in Ed’s music and personal reflections, these unreleased photos offer more than just nostalgia — they’re a reminder of an era in pop culture many fans cherish.
