How to share a photo album with family

▶ Pick your device and tap to watch:

iPhoneabout 1 minAndroidabout 1 min

Create one album everyone can see and add to, with iCloud Shared Albums or Google Photos.

⏱ About 8 minutes · 5 steps · ▶ 2 videos
What you'll need
  • Your phone with the photos on it
  • Email addresses or phone numbers of the people you're inviting

  1. iPhone: turn on Shared Albums

    Open Settings, tap your name, then iCloud > Photos, and turn on Shared Albums.

  2. iPhone: create the album

    In the Photos app, find Shared Albums (scroll down in iOS 18 and later, or on the Albums tab in earlier versions) and tap + to make a new shared album. Name it, invite people from your contacts, then add photos.

    💡 Tip: family without an Apple device? In the shared album's settings you can turn on Public Website to create a link anyone can view. Anyone with the link can see it, so share it carefully.

  3. Google Photos: make an album

    In the Google Photos app (Android or iPhone), select the photos, tap + or Add to and choose Album, then name it.

  4. Google Photos: share it

    Open the album and tap Share. Pick people by name, email or phone number, or create a link. You can let others add their own photos too.

  5. Decide who can see it

    Inviting specific people is more private than a link. If you share a link, anyone who gets it can view the album.

    ⚠️ Careful: think before sharing photos that show your home address, kids' school names or travel plans.
🎉 All done!

Make sure your originals are safe: back up your phone photos.

Comparing options? See Sharing family photos: shared albums made simple.

Related game: Tech Term Match. Related explainer: What does “the cloud” really mean? .

Official help pages

Steps checked against these pages in October 2026. If a button looks different, look for a similar label.