- Your phone with the photos on it
- Email addresses or phone numbers of the people you're inviting
iPhone: turn on Shared Albums
Open Settings, tap your name, then iCloud > Photos, and turn on Shared Albums. (In iOS 27, iCloud Photos needs to be on too.)
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.
New in iOS 27 (as of October 2026, per Apple Support): after you name the album and pick photos, tap Sharing Options to choose whether you invite and approve people, or share the album with a link. Family can join from the link and add photos on the web, even without an Apple device.
💡 Tip: family without an Apple device on iOS 26 or earlier? In the shared album's settings you can turn on Public Website to create a link anyone can view. Either way, anyone with the link may be able to see the album, so share it carefully.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.
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.
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.
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? .