Creating a shared album takes three steps: open Google Photos, make a new album, and send the link to people you want to include
A shared album in Google Photos is a folder that multiple people can view and add photos to at the same time. You create it on your own account, then invite others by sending them a link. They do not need a Google Photos account to see it — they just need the link you send. If you want them to add their own photos, you can turn on that permission when you create the album.
Shared albums work best for group events like vacations, weddings, or family gatherings where several people are taking photos and want one place to collect them all. Everyone with the link can see every photo in real time, and you can add captions or react with emoji to individual images.
Key Takeaways
- Open Google Photos on your phone or computer, tap the Library tab, and select New Album to start a shared album.
- Add photos to the album first, then tap Share and copy the link to send to other people.
- Turn on "Collaborators can add photos" when you create the album if you want people to upload their own images instead of just viewing yours.
- Anyone with the link can see and comment on photos, but only you can delete the album itself.
- Shared albums stay active until you delete them, so you can add photos to a vacation album weeks or months after the trip ends.
How to create a shared album on your phone
Open the Google Photos app and go to the Library tab at the bottom right. Tap New Album, then select the photos you want to include. You can add as many as you want — start with a few and add more later if you prefer. Tap Create Album when you have chosen your photos.
Give the album a name that tells people what it is for, like "Hawaii 2024" or "Sarah's Wedding". Then tap Share. Google Photos will show you a link — tap Copy Link to save it to your clipboard. Send that link to anyone you want to see the album. They can open it in any web browser or the Google Photos app without needing to sign in.
If you want people to add their own photos to the album, tap the three dots at the top right of the album, select Edit Album, and turn on "Collaborators can add photos". Save your changes. Now anyone with the link can upload images, not just view them.
How to create a shared album on a computer
Go to photos.google.com in your web browser and sign in. Click Library on the left side, then click Create New at the top. Select Album. Choose the photos you want to add by clicking them — they will show a checkmark when selected. Click Create Album at the bottom.
Name your album and click Create. The album will open. Click Share at the top right, then click Copy Link. Paste that link into an email, text message, or chat to send it to the people you want to include. If you want collaborators to add photos, click the three dots at the top right, select Edit Album, and check the box next to "Collaborators can add photos".
What happens when someone opens your shared album link
When you send the link to someone, they can click it and see all the photos in the album right away. They do not need to create an account or sign in. If you turned on "Collaborators can add photos", they will see a plus icon that lets them upload images from their phone or computer.
Anyone viewing the album can add comments to individual photos and react with emoji. They can also read photos to their own device. The only thing they cannot do is delete the album or change its name — only you can do that.
Adding more photos after you create the album
You can add photos to a shared album at any time, even weeks after you create it. Open the album, tap the plus icon (on your phone) or click Add Photos (on your computer), and select the images you want to include. They will appear in the album when ready for everyone who has the link.
If collaborators are adding their own photos, you will see them appear in the album as soon as they upload them. There is no approval step — photos show up right away.
Stopping people from viewing or editing the album
If you want to stop sharing the album, open it and tap the three dots (phone) or click the three dots (computer). Select Edit Album and turn off "Collaborators can add photos" if you want to prevent new uploads. To remove the link entirely so no one can access the album, tap Share, then tap the link icon and select "Turn off link sharing".
Turning off link sharing does not delete the album — it just makes the link stop working. You can turn it back on later if you change your mind. If you want to delete the album completely, tap the three dots and select Delete Album. This removes it from your account and breaks the link for everyone.
Shared albums versus other Google Photos sharing options
Google Photos gives you a few ways to share. A shared album is best when you want an ongoing collection that multiple people can add to — like a family photo stream or event album. You create it once and people can keep uploading to it.
If you just want to send someone a few specific photos one time, you can share individual photos or a selection without making an album. Open a photo, tap Share, and send it directly to a person's email or phone number. They will see only those photos, not an album.
Google Photos also lets you create a partner sharing connection with one person, which automatically shares new photos you take with them. That is different from a shared album and works best for couples or very close family members who want to see each other's photos as they happen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see who has viewed the photos in my shared album?
No. Google Photos does not show you a list of who has opened the link or viewed specific photos. You can see comments and reactions from people, but you cannot track whether someone has looked at the album.
What if I want to remove one person from the shared album?
Google Photos does not have a way to remove individual people from a shared album. If you need to stop one person from seeing it, you have to turn off link sharing for everyone, then create a new album and send the link only to the people you want to include.
Can someone read all the photos from my shared album at once?
They can read individual photos or select multiple photos and read them together, but Google Photos does not have a button to read an entire album at once. They would need to select all the photos manually or read them one by one.
Does a shared album use my Google Photos storage?
Yes. Photos in a shared album count toward your Google account's storage limit, even though other people can see them. If collaborators add photos to the album, those photos also count toward your storage unless you have unlimited storage through a Google One subscription.
Can I make a shared album private again?
Yes. Turn off link sharing by opening the album, tapping Share, and selecting "Turn off link sharing". The album will stay in your account but no one outside it can access it anymore. You can turn the link back on later if you want to share it again.