How Can I Share an Existing Album on My iPhone?
How Can I Share an Existing Album on My iPhone?
4 Answers

Sharing an existing album on your iPhone is simpler than you might think. Let’s walk through how you can do it:
Before we dive into the steps, just make sure you’ve got these basics covered:
- Enable Shared Albums: Head to Settings, tap on Photos, and turn on Shared Albums. Gotta have this switched on to share albums.
- Update iOS: It’s always a good idea to keep your iPhone updated to the latest iOS version.
Now, here are a few ways you can share your albums:
Method 1: Shared Albums
- Open Photos App: Find the Photos app on your home screen and open it.
- Pick Your Album: Go to the Albums tab and select the one you want to share.
- Select Your Photos: Tap “Select” and choose the photos or just select them all if you want to share everything.
- Hit the Share Button: Tap the share icon (square with an upward arrow).
- Add to Shared Album: Scroll down and pick “Add to Shared Album.”
- Create a New Album: Tap “Shared Album,” then “New Shared Album.” Name your album.
- Invite People: Add the contacts you want to share with by entering their names, email addresses, or phone numbers.
- Set Permissions: Decide if you want others to add their own pics to your album by toggling the “Subscribers Can Post” option.
- Post It: Tap “Post” to share. Your friends or family will receive an invite to view the album.
Method 2: Share a Link
- Open Photos App and Select Album: Launch the Photos app, go to Albums, and pick your album.
- Tap Share: Look for the share button.
- Copy Link: Select “Copy Link.” This generates a URL you can send.
- Share the URL: Paste the link into a message, email, or any social media app and send it to your recipients—they can view the album by clicking the link.
Method 3: AirDrop
- Enable AirDrop: Go to Settings > General > AirDrop and choose “Everyone” or “Contacts Only,” depending on how you want to share.
- Both Devices Ready: Make sure the other person has AirDrop turned on and is nearby.
- Select Photos: Open the album in Photos, pick the photos, and tap the share icon.
- Choose AirDrop: Select the recipient’s device under the AirDrop options. They’ll get a prompt to accept the photos.
Managing Shared Albums
- Viewing Shared Albums: You can find them under the “Shared Albums” section in the Photos app.
- Adding More Photos: Open the shared album, tap the “+” button, pick your new photos or videos, tap “Add,” and optionally comment before hitting “Post.”
- Inviting More Friends: Go to the album, tap the person icon at the top, then “+ Invite People” and add more contacts.
- Unsharing an Album: Go to “Shared Albums,” select the album, tap the person icon, and turn off the “Shared” option if you no longer wish to share it.
A Few Tips
- Organize Your Album: Before sharing, arrange your photos neatly so recipients have an easy time browsing.
- Check Privacy Settings: If you’ve got personal photos, ensure only trusted people have access.
- Monitor Storage: Big albums can take up space, so keep an eye on your iCloud storage or upgrade if needed.
- Engagement Notifications: You’ll be notified when someone views, likes, or comments on your photos, helping you stay in touch.
So, there you have it. Sharing albums on an iPhone is a breeze once you know the steps. Whether it’s via Shared Albums, a simple link, or AirDrop, you’re all set to showcase those special moments.

Alright, let’s jump into the nitty-gritty of sharing an album on your iPhone. You can’t just flip a switch and make an existing album a shared one, but don’t worry—I’ll walk you through how to get it done smoothly by creating a new shared album and adding your photos there. Here’s the lowdown:
First off, make sure you’ve got Shared Albums turned on. You’ll want to head to your Settings, scroll down to Photos, and flick the Shared Albums switch on. It’s gotta be green, alright?
Now, let’s get to making a shared album. Pop open the Photos app, hit the Albums tab at the bottom, and scroll down till you see Shared Albums. Tap that, then look for the Create button—could be a plus sign (+) too. Name your new album, tap Next, and we’re rolling.
Time to bring your pals onboard—let’s invite some folks! You can type in names, emails, or phone numbers of those you wanna share the good stuff with. Apple folks will show up blue, non-Apple folks will be green, but they can still check out the share via email or SMS. Hit Create when you’re done.
Now, here’s where you add your photos. Get back to Albums, pick the existing album with all your shots, and start selecting the ones you wanna share by tapping Select. Once you’ve got your lineup, tap the Share icon (kinda looks like a square with an upward arrow). Choose Add to Shared Album, pick your newbie shared album, and hit Post. Bam, you’ve done it!
Lastly, let’s talk tweaking. You’ve set up your shared album, but maybe you wanna adjust a few things. Open your shared album, tap the three-dot icon or Shared Album Details up top. Here, you can let others add their own pics, get notified about album activity, or even make it public if you’re feeling generous.
Follow these steps, and you’ll have your pics shared in no time, all neat and tidy without having to send every single photo one by one. And sure, it takes a bit more work upfront, but it’s worth it for the seamless sharing experience.

Sharing an album on your iPhone is pretty straightforward, and you’ve got a couple of nifty options depending on who you’re sharing with and what you want to achieve. Let’s break it down.
Share Through iCloud Shared Albums
1. Use iCloud Shared Albums
This is your go-to on iOS when you want to add some pals to see and maybe even contribute to your album.
- Fire up Photos and pick your album.
- Tap the share button (those three dots), hit Share Album, and toss in the emails or phone numbers of the people you wanna share with.
- For the adventurous types, toggle the Public Website option if you feel like having a link available for more folks.
- Set permissions based on what you fancy—let them upload their stuff or just browse.
Why’s this slick? You’re using good old iCloud, so everything will sync magically across all Apple gizmos. But hey, make sure iCloud Photos and Shared Albums are flipped on in your settings before you dive in.
Create and Share a Link via iCloud
2. Creating a Shareable Link
If you’ve got some non-Apple crowd on the guest list, this is your tool.
- Head over to Photos, choose your album, then hit Share, followed by Copy Link.
- Set how open you want the invite to be—allow anyone with the link in the door, or play it exclusive with the need for an Apple ID.
Watch out, though—those links might vanish if left unattended for a while. So, you know, keep them active!
Using Third-Party Apps like Google Photos
3. Third-Party App Options
If you’re dabbling in cross-platform territory, this is where Google Photos comes in handy.
- Pop Google Photos onto your phone, and make sure it’s set to back up your snaps.
- Move your pics over to the albums you’ve got there, and generate links for easy sharing.
Heads up, merging with Google might chew up some of your storage, or double up on files, so keep an eye on that.
Troubleshooting: When Things Go South
Missing the “Share Album” Option?
Is it that iCloud Shared Albums are snoozing, or maybe your iPhone just needs an update?
- Go to Settings and flick that Shared Albums switch to ‘on’.
- Bump up your iOS to the latest version—iOS 16 or newer should have what you need.
Recipients Can’t Access the Album?
Maybe it’s the privacy settings playing tricks, or not having a public link for those on non-Apple devices.
- Create a fresh link and flick on Public Website.
- Double-check your friends’ Apple IDs, or use something like Google Photos so everyone can get in on the action.
Photos Not Syncing?
Internet woes or running out of space might be your culprits.
- Check your connection or give your device a quick restart.
- Head to Settings and do some housekeeping to manage your storage.
Some Tips and Tricks
- Real-time Teamwork: Get on iCloud Shared Albums for collabs with fellow Apple enthusiasts.
- Big Files Ahead: Compress your albums before you hit share to sidestep crowding up iCloud.
- Privacy: Shut off Public Website sharing once you’re done—leave unwanted guests outside.
Ultimately, who you’re sharing with dictates what option will work best. Keeping tabs on privacy settings ensures your album lands where it should, without any funny business.

Hey there! If you’re looking to share a photo album from your iPhone, here’s a neat trick using iCloud:
First things first, open up your Photos app. Jump over to the ‘Albums’ part—it’s right at the bottom of your screen. Find the album you want to share and give it a tap.
Now, spot that little square with an upward arrow? That’s your ‘Share’ button. Tap it. If your album isn’t shared yet, you can hit ‘Add to Shared Album.’ You have the option to pick an existing shared album or start fresh by tapping the ‘+’ icon at the top right.
Are you naming a new Shared Album? Go ahead, type it out, and tap ‘Next.’ Invite others by typing in their email addresses or phone numbers—or make life easier by picking straight from your contacts through the ‘+’ icon.
Hit ‘Create’ or ‘Share,’ and just like that, your friends get an invite. They’ll know what’s up and will even be able to add their own snaps to the album.
There’s also another way: using an iCloud link. Open up your album, tap share again, and scroll down to ‘Copy iCloud Link.’ Once you’ve got it, shoot the link over via email, text, or whatever messaging service you fancy. Your audience will be able to click through and check out your album right from iCloud.
That’s all there is to it! Sharing photos has never been easier, right? Catch you later!
Source: None other than Apple Support and a handy tip from Lifewire.