Creating a shared album takes three steps: open Photos, select the images you want, and invite people to view them

A shared album on iPhone lets you and other people add photos and videos to the same collection. Everyone invited can see what's there, comment on individual images, and add their own photos — useful for family events, group trips, or collaborative projects where multiple people are taking pictures.

The album lives in the Photos app on your iPhone and syncs across your devices through iCloud. People you invite don't need to own an iPhone; they can view and contribute through a web link or the Photos app if they have an Apple device.

Key Takeaways

  • Open the Photos app, select multiple images by tapping Edit, then tap the share icon and choose "Shared Album" to create one.
  • You can invite people by email address or phone number, and they'll receive a notification with a link to join.
  • Everyone in the album can add photos, delete their own contributions, and comment on images — but only you can delete the album itself.
  • Shared albums require iCloud Photos turned on in your iPhone settings, and invited people need an Apple ID to join.
  • You can change who can contribute, turn off comments, or remove people from the album at any time through the album settings.

How to start a shared album from your photo library

Open the Photos app and go to the Library tab at the bottom. Tap Edit in the upper right corner. Now tap each photo or video you want to add — a checkmark appears on each one you select. You can select as many as you want, from different dates or folders.

Once you've selected your images, tap the share icon (a box with an arrow pointing up) in the lower right. Scroll down the menu that appears and tap Shared Album. A new screen opens asking you to name the album — type something descriptive like "Beach Trip 2024" or "Emma's Birthday." Then tap Create.

Your album is now created and ready for people to join. The next screen shows an invite field where you can add the first people right away, or you can skip this and invite them later.

Inviting people to your shared album

To invite someone, tap the People icon (a silhouette) at the top of the shared album, then tap Invite. Type in the email address or phone number of the person you want to add. You can invite multiple people at once by entering several addresses or numbers, separated by commas.

The person receives a notification and a link to view the album. If they have an Apple device with the Photos app, they can tap the notification to join directly. If they don't have an Apple device, they can open the link in a web browser and view the album that way — they won't be able to add photos from a browser, but they can see everything and leave comments.

You can invite more people anytime by opening the album, tapping the People icon again, and repeating the process. There's no limit to how many people you can add.

Managing who can do what in your shared album

When you create the album, everyone you invite can add photos, delete their own contributions, and comment. If you want to change these permissions, open the album and tap the People icon, then tap Edit in the upper right. You'll see options to turn off "Can Post" (so people can only view and comment) or turn off "Can Comment" (so people can only view and add photos).

To remove someone from the album entirely, open the People list, swipe left on their name, and tap Remove. They'll no longer see the album or receive updates when new photos are added.

You can also delete the entire shared album by opening it, tapping the three dots in the upper right, and selecting Delete Shared Album. Only the person who created the album can do this — other members can leave the album but cannot delete it.

What happens when people add photos to your album

When someone you've invited adds a photo to the shared album, you get a notification on your iPhone. The photo appears in the album for everyone to see. If comments are turned on, people can tap any photo and leave text or emoji reactions.

Each person can only delete photos they personally added — they cannot delete other people's contributions. If someone adds a photo by mistake, they can remove it themselves, or you can ask them to do so.

All photos in the shared album stay synced across your devices if you have iCloud Photos turned on. If you turn off iCloud Photos later, the shared album disappears from your iPhone, but it remains accessible through the web link for other people.

Requirements and troubleshooting

Shared albums require iCloud Photos to be turned on in your iPhone settings. Go to Settings, tap your name at the top, select iCloud, then Photos, and make sure iCloud Photos is toggled on. If it's off, you won't be able to create or see shared albums.

Everyone you invite needs an Apple ID to join through the Photos app. If someone doesn't have an Apple ID, they can still view the album through the web link, but they won't be able to add photos or comment. To create an Apple ID, they can go to appleid.apple.com or ask you to help them set one up on their device.

If someone says they didn't receive an invitation, check that you entered their email or phone number correctly. You can resend the invite by opening the album, tapping People, tapping Invite, and entering their information again. Invitations expire after 30 days, so if someone doesn't join within that time, you'll need to send a new one.

Using shared albums for different situations

Shared albums work well for family events — create one for a holiday gathering and let relatives add their own photos from the day. Everyone sees the full picture without needing to text images back and forth. For group trips, a shared album lets each person contribute photos as they take them, so you build a complete record of the experience.

You can also use shared albums for collaborative projects. If you're working on a design or photo project with others, a shared album keeps all the reference images or work-in-progress shots in one place where everyone can comment and add ideas.

Create a new shared album for each event or project rather than adding everything to one album — it keeps things organized and makes it easier for people to find what they're looking for.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add photos to a shared album after I create it?

Yes. Open the shared album, tap the plus icon at the top, and select photos from your library. You can add photos anytime, and everyone in the album will see them when ready. You can also add videos the same way.

What if someone leaves the shared album?

If someone taps Leave Album, they stop receiving notifications and the album disappears from their Photos app. They can rejoin if you send them a new invitation. All their photos stay in the album even after they leave.

Can I make a shared album private so only certain people see it?

Shared albums are only visible to people you invite — they're not public. Only the people whose email or phone number you entered can access the album. You control the full list of who can see it.

Do shared albums use my iCloud storage?

Yes, photos in shared albums count toward your iCloud storage limit. If you're running low on space, deleting photos from the shared album frees up storage the same way deleting from your regular library does.

Can I share a link to the album instead of inviting people by email?

Yes. Open the shared album, tap the three dots in the upper right, and select Copy Link. You can paste this link in a message, email, or anywhere else. Anyone who opens the link can view the album in a web browser, though they won't be able to add photos unless they have an Apple ID and join through the Photos app.