Upgrade your shared albums
Learn how to upgrade shared albums that you created on earlier software versions to the new and improved Shared Albums experience.
Starting in iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27, Shared Albums adds support for full-resolution sharing, new filters, emoji reactions, and new ways to invite others to collaborate on an album. Friends and family will be able to join and contribute their own photos on the web, even without an Apple Account or Apple device.
Not all features are available in all countries or regions.
How to upgrade a shared album
Any new shared albums that you create in iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27, or on iCloud.com, use the new and improved Shared Albums features. Any shared albums that you created in earlier software versions will stay the same, but you can upgrade a shared album to the new experience. After upgrade, newly shared photos and videos will be in their original resolution. You can also allow participants to manage the album, invite others with a link, and more.
When you upgrade a shared album, you can open it on devices using iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27, or later. You can also open it on iCloud.com from any device.
Any participants with devices that aren't on the latest software will have to update their devices or view the album on iCloud.com.
After you upgrade a shared album, any existing photos or videos in the album won't count toward your iCloud storage. Any new items added to the shared album will count toward the album owner's storage.
On your iPhone or iPad
Make sure that your device is updated to the latest software version.
Open the Photos app, and tap Collections.
Scroll down to Shared Albums, then tap Shared Albums.
Tap the shared album that you want to upgrade.
Tap the More button.
Tap Upgrade Shared Album, then follow the onscreen instructions.
On your Mac
Make sure that your Mac is updated to the latest version of macOS.
Open the Photos app.
In the Sharing section of the sidebar, choose the shared album that you want to upgrade.
Click the Manage Shared Album button [icon].
Click Upgrade Shared Album, then follow the onscreen instructions.
Recover a shared album
When you upgrade shared albums, a copy of each shared album will appear in Shared Albums settings for six months. After that time, the album will be permanently deleted. If you recover the copy of the older version of the shared album to your photo library, it will appear alongside the upgraded album in the Photos app and stay there unless you delete it. You'll be able to resend invitations to all previous participants and continue to add photos and videos.
On your iPhone or iPad
Go to the Settings app. Tap your name.
Tap iCloud, then tap Photos.
Under Sharing, tap Shared Albums.
Tap Archived Shared Albums.
Tap Recover, then tap Recover again to confirm.
On your Mac
Open the Photos app.
From the Photos menu in the menu bar, choose Settings.
Click the iCloud tab, then click View Archived Shared Albums.
Click Recover, then click Recover again to confirm.