Change participant permissions for a shared album

In version 27 or later of iOS, iPadOS, macOS and visionOS, you can customise permissions for participants of a shared album.

About Shared Album roles

When you create a shared album in iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27 and visionOS 27 or later, you can customise the permissions for shared album participants. After the individual joins the shared album, the roles you can choose from are:

  • Owner: The owner provides iCloud storage for the shared album and can view, comment and add photos to the album.* They can approve or decline access requests, add or remove participants, delete photos and delete the shared album.

  • Can Manage Album and Photos: A participant who can view, comment and add photos to the shared album. They can approve or decline access requests, add or remove participants and delete photos.

  • Can Add Photos: A participant who can view, comment and add photos to the shared album. They can only delete photos that they contributed to the album.

  • Can View and Comment: A participant who can view and comment, but can't add photos to the shared album.

A participant who hasn't accepted the shared album invite yet appears in the participant list as Invited. If you invite someone who doesn't have an Apple Account, they can verify their email address to view, comment and add photos to the shared album.

* Temporary shared albums do not use your iCloud storage.

How to change the permissions for a shared album participant in iOS, iPadOS or visionOS

  1. In the Photos app, open the shared album.

  2. Tap the Manage Shared Album button.

  3. Tap the name of the participant in the participant list.

    Manage Shared Album menu on an iPhone showing participants and their roles for an album named "Beautiful Food."

  4. Choose a permission: Can Manage Album and Photos, Can Add Photos or Can View and Comment. If you choose Can Manage Album and Photos, tap Allow.

How to change the permissions for a shared album participant in macOS

  1. In the Photos app, open the shared album from the Sharing section of the sidebar.

  2. Click the Manage Shared Album button.

  3. Click the More button next to the participant name in the participant list.

    Manage Shared Album menu on a Mac showing participants and their roles for an album named "Beautiful Food."

  4. Choose a permission: Can Manage Album and Photos, Can Add Photos or Can View and Comment. If you choose Can Manage Album and Photos, click Allow.

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