How to join a shared album on your phone or computer

A shared album is a folder where multiple people can add, view, and comment on photos together. On iPhone, iPad, and Mac, you join through the Photos app by tapping a link someone sends you or accepting an invitation. On Android, Google Photos works similarly — you open a shared album link and tap to join. On Windows, you use OneDrive or Google Photos in a web browser. The person who created the album sends you the link, and you follow it to see what's inside and decide whether to join.

The steps differ slightly depending on your device and which app you're using, but the core idea is the same: click or tap the link, review what the album contains, and confirm you want to be part of it. Once you join, you can usually add your own photos, delete ones you uploaded, and see comments from other members.

Key Takeaways

  • On iPhone and iPad, open the link in Messages or Mail, tap "Add to Shared Album" in Photos, and confirm your Apple ID.
  • On Mac, click the link in Mail or Messages, then click "Add to Shared Album" when the Photos app opens.
  • On Android, open the Google Photos link, tap the plus icon, and select the album to join.
  • On Windows, use Google Photos or OneDrive in your web browser to open and join shared albums.
  • Once you join, you can add photos, delete your own uploads, and comment, but you cannot remove other people's photos or delete the album itself.

Joining on iPhone and iPad

When someone sends you a shared album link via Messages, Mail, or another app, tap the link to open it. The Photos app will launch and show you a preview of the album — you'll see the album name, who created it, and a few photos already inside. At the bottom of the screen, tap the blue "Add to Shared Album" button.

Your iPhone or iPad will ask you to confirm with your Apple ID. Enter your password or use Face ID or Touch ID to approve. Once confirmed, the album appears in your Photos app under the "Shared" tab at the bottom. You can now see all photos in the album, add your own, and comment on others' photos. If you change your mind later, you can leave the album by opening it, tapping the three dots in the top right, and selecting "Leave Shared Album."

Joining on Mac

On a Mac, the process is nearly identical. Click the shared album link in Mail, Messages, or your web browser. The Photos app opens and shows you the album preview. Click the blue "Add to Shared Album" button at the bottom of the window. You'll be asked to confirm with your Apple ID — enter your password or use Touch ID if your Mac has it.

The album then appears in the Shared tab of your Photos library. You can add photos by dragging them into the album, comment on existing photos, or delete photos you uploaded. To leave the album later, right-click it in the sidebar, select "Leave Shared Album," and confirm.

Joining on Android with Google Photos

Android devices use Google Photos for shared albums. When someone sends you a link, open it in your web browser or in the Google Photos app. The album preview appears with the album name and existing photos. Tap or click the plus icon (usually in the top right), then select the album name to join.

You'll be asked to sign in with your Google account if you aren't already. Once signed in, the album is added to your "Shared" section in Google Photos. You can now add photos, comment, and see updates when others add photos. To leave, open the album, tap the three dots, and select "Leave album."

Joining on Windows

Windows doesn't have a built-in shared album feature like Apple devices do. Instead, use Google Photos or OneDrive in your web browser. For Google Photos, open the shared album link in Chrome, Edge, or Firefox. Sign in with your Google account, then tap the plus icon to join the album. For OneDrive, open the link, sign in with your Microsoft account, and you'll have access to the shared folder when ready.

Both services let you add photos, comment, and see what others upload. The experience is the same whether you're on Windows, Mac, or a phone — you're just using the web version instead of an app.

What you can and cannot do in a shared album

Once you join, you can add photos and videos from your device, comment on any photo, and like photos. You can delete photos you uploaded yourself, but you cannot delete photos that other members added. You also cannot remove other members from the album or delete the album entirely — only the person who created it can do those things.

If the album has notifications turned on, you'll receive alerts when someone adds a photo or comments. You can usually turn these notifications off in the album settings without leaving the album. Some shared albums have a limit on how many photos can be added (usually 5,000 on Apple devices and 20,000 on Google Photos), so very active albums may eventually reach their cap.

Troubleshooting if the link doesn't work

If you tap or click a shared album link and nothing happens, the link may have expired or the album creator may have removed it. Ask the person who sent it to resend the link or create a new one. Make sure you're signed in to the correct account — if you have multiple Apple IDs or Google accounts, the link might be tied to a different one than the one you're currently using.

If the Photos app or Google Photos won't open when you tap the link, try copying the link and pasting it into your web browser instead. You can also try restarting your phone or computer. If you're still stuck, check that your device's date and time are set correctly, as some apps use this to verify links.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I join a shared album without an Apple ID or Google account?

No. Apple shared albums require an Apple ID, and Google Photos shared albums require a Google account. If you don't have one, you'll need to create it before joining. Creating either account is free and takes a few minutes.

What happens if I leave a shared album?

You'll no longer see the album in your Photos app or Google Photos. Photos you added stay in the album, but you won't receive notifications about new additions or comments. You can rejoin if someone sends you the link again.

Can I read all the photos from a shared album at once?

On iPhone and iPad, you can save individual photos to your camera roll by tapping and holding them. On Mac and Windows, you can usually right-click and select "Save" or "read." Google Photos lets you select multiple photos and read them as a zip file.

Do I need to pay to join a shared album?

No. Shared albums are free on both Apple and Google. However, if the album fills up your storage limit (iCloud for Apple, Google One for Google), you may need to pay for more storage to add more photos.

Can the album creator see when I join?

Yes. The person who created the album usually gets a notification that you've joined. Some apps let them see a list of all members.