What are Shared Albums, and how do they work?How many photos or videos can I add to Shared Albums?File types supported in Shared AlbumsHow to enable/disable Shared AlbumsHow to view Shared AlbumsCreate a shared album on iPhone and iPadHow to subscribe to a shared albumHow to manage Shared AlbumsAdd subscribers or invite more peopleTurn on public viewing in iCloudAdd photos and videos to the shared albumAllow subscribers to add photos or videos to the albumAdd or delete comments in a shared photoDelete photos and videos from a shared albumSave photos and videos from a shared albumTurn notifications on or offManage viewing options of a shared albumRename a shared albumHow to remove a subscriber from the shared albumDelete a shared album on iPhone and iPad
What are Shared Albums, and how do they work?
As the name suggests, these albums allow you to share images and videos with others. It’s pretty secure and private as only people with the album link can see the content. Further, you can not only share the album across Apple’s ecosystem but also with Android or Windows users. It can also work as a collaborative album as each party can access, comment, and add stuff to it.
How many photos or videos can I add to Shared Albums?
A shared album can contain up to 5000 photos and videos. After that, you’ll have to delete some content to make space for a new one. Interestingly, while interrelated, iCloud photo library and Shared Albums are distinct features. And unlike photo library or Photo Stream, Shared Albums don’t count toward your iCloud storage.
File types supported in Shared Albums
In addition, you can add special formats like live photos, slow-motion, time-lapse, and memory videos. However,
HEIFJPEGRAW*PNGGIFTIFF
HEVCMP4QuickTimeH.264MPEG-4
Pictures and videos may lose resolution to 2048 pixels unless they’re panoramic pictures with up to 5400 pixels.GIFs should be 100MB and smaller.Videos up to 15 minutes can support 720p resolution.
How to enable/disable Shared Albums
Note: There is also an alternative method; go to Settings → Photos → toggle on Shared Albums.
How to view Shared Albums
Things to note
Ensure that your iPhone or iPad is updated to the latest iOS and iPadOS.You’ve already set up iCloud on your iOS device.If you want to use multiple devices for album sharing, all must run on the same Apple ID.To use Shared Albums, your iPhone must be connected to the internet.
Create a shared album on iPhone and iPad
Once the shared album is created, the recipient will be notified with your invitation about the same. They can choose to subscribe to the album or reject the request.
How to subscribe to a shared album
When you receive the invitation for a shared album, tap the notification or go to Photos → For You → Shared Album Activity → Tap Accept or Decline. The invite is also sent to your email ID; just open the mail and follow on-screen notifications to subscribe.
How to manage Shared Albums
Add subscribers or invite more people
Again an invite will be shared, and the recipient can accept, ignore or reject accordingly. You can also share albums with your loved ones who don’t use iCloud by enabling public viewing.
Turn on public viewing in iCloud
Open shared album → People icon → Toggle on Public Website → Tap Share Link to share the link to anyone.
Add photos and videos to the shared album
You can add photos and videos to the shared album in two ways: Method 1 Open the shared album → tap the + button → select the photos or videos → Done → add a comment (optional) → Post. Method 2
Allow subscribers to add photos or videos to the album
By default, subscribers can add photos and videos to the album. If not, you can enable the setting via shared album → People icon → Toggle on Subscribers Can Post Switch. You can choose to disable the feature anytime; simply toggle it off.
Add or delete comments in a shared photo
You can also add comments later to individual photos. Open the shared album → select photo → tap Add a comment → type in → Send. To delete a comment, open the photo → tap the comment → long-press it, and select Delete.
Delete photos and videos from a shared album
If you’re the creator of a shared album, you can delete any photos, videos, and comments added by any subscriber. But other members can only delete files and comments uploaded from their end. Note: Anything you delete will be permanently removed across the shared album from your and your subscribers’ devices. However, files that you or other subscribers have saved or downloaded to your library won’t be affected.
Save photos and videos from a shared album
When other subscribers add photos and videos to your shared album, you can save them in your photos library, so later, if they delete them, you can still view them in your photo library.
Turn notifications on or off
Don’t want to be disturbed every time someone adds or removes photos, videos, or comments? Here’s how: Alternatively, you can tap the three-dot icon→ Shared Album Details → Toggle on/off the Notifications switch.
Manage viewing options of a shared album
Rename a shared album
There are two ways to do so:
How to remove a subscriber from the shared album
Notably, only the creator/owner of the album has the right to remove someone from the shared list.
Delete a shared album on iPhone and iPad
As a creator of the shared album, you can delete the album. While others can choose to unsubscribe from it. The album will be deleted and removed from all your iOS devices connected with the same Apple ID and the subscriber’s device. It will also delete all the photos in the album, so ensure you save them before going ahead. Alternatively, you can also go to the Albums tab → Shared Albums → See All → tap Edit → Tap minus icon → Delete. Shared Albums is an excellent feature to exchange photos and videos on your iOS device securely. After giving it a try, you may want to stop using the social media app to share pictures with your friends and family. What do you think about it? Let us know in the comment section below. Want more hacks for the Photos app? Check these out:
How to use the Memories feature in Photos on iPhone and iPadView metadata of photos on iPhone or iPadHow to block someone in Photos Memories on iPhoneHow to hide photos or videos on your iPhone and iPad
