How do I share photos with my family?

On an iPhone: Shared Albums

First, turn Shared Albums on: open Settings, tap your name, tap iCloud, then under Saved to iCloud tap Photos. Scroll down and turn on Shared Albums.

1. Open the Photos app and tap Collections.
2. Scroll down to Shared Albums and tap it.
3. Tap the Add button (+).
4. Give the album a name, like “Family photos”, and choose some photos to add.
5. Tap Sharing Options to invite people, or to share the album with a link.
6. Tap Done.

Apple says the people you share with can add their own photos, videos and comments too.

On Android: Google Photos

1. Open the Google Photos app and sign in.
2. At the bottom, tap Photos.
3. Touch and hold the photos you want to share, then tap Create, then Album.
4. Type a name for the album and tap Done.
5. Tap Share and choose who to share it with.

Google says you can share with anyone, even if they don’t use Google Photos: for people without a Google Account, send a link.

Just want to send one or two photos?

In Google Photos, open the photo, tap Share, pick a person under “Send in Photos” and tap Send. On either phone you can also share a photo straight into a messaging app.

Think before you share a link. Google says anyone with the link to a shared album can see the photos. Only send it to people you trust.

Next: make sure your photos are safe: back them up.

Sources

• Apple Support, How to use Shared Albums in Photos on your iPhone, iPad or Apple Vision Pro, checked 14 Oct 2026.
• Google Photos Help, Share photos and videos (Android), checked 14 Oct 2026.