How to create a shared album on an iPhone

2 min read · 7 steps · Updated 2 October 2026

Short answer

Turn on Shared Albums under Settings, your name, iCloud, Photos. Then open Photos, tap Collections, scroll to Shared Albums and tap the Add button. Give the album a name, pick the photos and invite people from your contacts.

A shared album is a collection that several people can look at, comment on and add to, for example after a wedding or a trip. Everyone sees it in their own Photos app. It is separate from your own library, so nobody sees your other pictures.

Menu names are from recent versions of iOS. Where iOS 27 differs from iOS 26, both are given.

Step by step

  1. Turn on Shared Albums

    Open Settings, tap your name, tap iCloud and tap Photos under Saved to iCloud. Make sure iCloud Photos is turned on, then scroll down and switch on Shared Albums.

  2. Open Photos and find Shared Albums

    Tap Collections and scroll down to the Shared Albums section.

  3. Tap the Add button

    Type a name for the album and select the photos and videos that should go in.

  4. Invite people

    Choose people from your contacts. On iOS 27 you can also choose between inviting people yourself and sharing with a link, and you can make the album temporary. Tap Done.

  5. Add more photos later

    In your library, select photos, tap the Share button and choose Add to Shared Album. Pick the album and tap Post or Done.

  6. Invite more people later

    Open the album. On iOS 27, tap the Manage Shared Album button and Invite Participants. On iOS 26, tap the More button, the album name and Add Participants.

  7. Share with people who have no Apple device

    In the album's details, switch on Public Website. The album gets a web address that anyone with the link can open in a browser. Do not use it for private pictures.

Good to know

People you invite have to accept the invitation before they see the album. They can add their own photos if you leave that option on.

Deleting a shared album removes it for everyone and permanently deletes the photos in it. Save pictures you want to keep to your own library first.

A shared album is not a backup. Photos in it are stored in reduced size.

For a few pictures to one person nearby: how to use AirDrop on an iPhone. To keep pictures out of sight: how to hide photos on an iPhone.

In short: Settings, your name, iCloud, Photos, Shared Albums on. Photos, Collections, Shared Albums, Add, name, pick photos, invite, Done.

Sources
  • Apple Support: How to use Shared Albums in Photos on your iPhone, iPad, or Apple Vision Pro

Rules and prices change. Check the official source before you act.