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Steps checked against official help pages. Last checked: Oct 15, 2026

How to Share Photos With Family Using a Shared Album

What this helps with: Putting photos in one album that family members can see, and add their own photos to.

A shared album is like a family photo book that lives online. Everyone you invite sees new photos as soon as they’re added.

On an iPhone (Photos app)

Turn on Shared Albums (only once):

  1. Open Settings, tap your name, then tap iCloud.
  2. Tap Photos, then turn on Shared Albums.
    • What you’ll tap: A switch that turns green.

Make an album:

  1. Open the Photos app.
    • What you’ll tap: A colorful flower-shaped icon.
  2. Tap Collections, scroll down to Shared Albums, and tap it.
  3. Tap the Add button (a plus sign).
  4. Give the album a name, like “Grandkids 2026,” and choose some photos.
  5. Invite people: pick them from your contacts or type their email or phone number. (On the newest iPhones, tap Sharing Options to choose how people join.)
  6. Tap Done (or Create).

Add more photos later: Open a photo, tap the Share button (a square with an up arrow), tap Add to Shared Album, choose the album, and tap Post or Done.

On an Android phone (Google Photos app)

  1. Open the Google Photos app.
    • What you’ll tap: A pinwheel icon in four colors.
  2. Tap Photos at the bottom.
  3. Press and hold one photo, then tap any others you want to include.
  4. At the bottom, tap Create Album (or tap + then Album).
  5. Type a name for the album and tap Done (the check mark).
  6. Tap Share, then choose the people you want to share with.
    • What you’ll tap: Their names or pictures. You can also search for an email or phone number.

For family without Google: Tap Share, then Create link, and send that link by text or email. Anyone with the link can see the album.

If something goes wrong

  • My family member didn’t get the invite. Check that you typed their email or number correctly. Ask them to check their email, including the spam folder.
  • I don’t see Shared Albums on iPhone. Make sure it’s turned on in Settings, your name, iCloud, Photos. Updating your iPhone can also help.
  • I added the wrong photo. Open it in the shared album and tap the trash can to remove it.
  • Who can see a link? Anyone who has the link. Only send it to people you trust.

Official sources

Last checked: Oct 15, 2026

This is general help, not personalized tech support. Screens differ between software versions; Apple’s newest version moves a few buttons.

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