Sharing a Google Photos album is one of the easiest ways to send multiple photos and videos to friends, family, classmates, or coworkers — without sending files one by one.
Whether you want to share wedding photos, trip memories, birthday pictures, or work project images, Google Photos lets you create a shared album and send it instantly via link or email.
In this complete guide, you’ll learn:
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What a shared album is
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How to share an album on Android
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How to share an album on iPhone
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How to share an album on a desktop
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How to allow others to add photos
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How to manage shared album settings
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How to stop sharing an album
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Privacy and security tips
Let’s begin.
What Is a Shared Album in Google Photos?
A shared album is a photo collection that you allow other people to view — and optionally contribute to.
When you share an album, you can:
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Send a shareable link
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Invite specific people by email
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Allow others to add photos
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Allow comments and likes
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Stop sharing anytime
Shared albums are perfect for:
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Weddings
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Family events
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School trips
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Office projects
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Travel groups
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Birthday celebrations
How to Share a Google Photos Album on Android
Follow these steps if you are using an Android phone.
Step 1: Open Google Photos
Launch the Google Photos app.
Step 2: Go to the Library
At the bottom of the screen, tap Library.
Step 3: Open the Album
Tap the album you want to share.
Step 4: Tap the Share Icon
At the top, tap the Share icon (looks like three connected dots or a share arrow).
Step 5: Choose Sharing Method
You can now:
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Select contacts
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Enter an email address
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Copy a shareable link
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Share via WhatsApp, Gmail, etc.
Choose your preferred method and send.
Your album is now shared.
How to Share a Google Photos Album on an iPhone
The steps are almost the same.
Step 1: Open Google Photos
Step 2: Tap Library
Step 3: Open the Album
Step 4: Tap Share Icon
Step 5: Choose Contact or Copy Link
Send the link or invite people directly.
Done.
How to Share a Google Photos Album on a Desktop
If you’re using a computer:
Step 1: Go to photos.google.com
Sign in to your Google account.
Step 2: Click “Albums” (Left Menu)
Open the album you want to share.
Step 3: Click the Share Icon
You’ll see the share symbol at the top.
Step 4: Choose the Sharing Option
You can:
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Enter email addresses
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Create a shareable link
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Copy the link and send it anywhere
Click Send.
Your album is now accessible to others.
How to Allow Others to Add Photos
If you want friends or family to upload their photos too:
On Mobile:
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Open the shared album
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Tap three dots
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Tap Options
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Enable:
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Collaborate (Allow others to add photos)
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On Desktop:
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Open album
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Click three dots
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Select Options
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Turn on Allow others to add photos
Now, invited members can contribute.
This is very useful for group events.
How to Manage Shared Album Settings
You can control:
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Who can view
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Who can add photos
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Who can comment
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Whether link sharing is enabled
To Adjust Settings:
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Open shared album
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Tap three dots
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Tap Options
From here, you can:
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Turn off link sharing
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Turn off collaboration
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Disable comments
You stay in control.
How to Stop Sharing a Google Photos Album
If you no longer want others to access the album:
Option 1: Turn Off Link Sharing
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Open album
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Tap Options
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Turn off Link sharing
Now the link won’t work.
Option 2: Remove Specific People
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Open album
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Go to sharing settings
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Remove selected members
Option 3: Delete the Album
Deleting the album stops sharing completely.
Important:
Deleting the album does NOT delete photos from your main library.
How Others View Shared Albums
When someone receives your link:
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They click the link
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It opens in Google Photos
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They can view photos
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If allowed, they can add photos
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They can download images
If invited by email, they may need to sign in.
Can People See All Your Photos?
No.
They can only see:
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The specific album you shared
They cannot access:
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Your private photos
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Other albums
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Your Google account
Unless you share those,e too.
How to Share Individual Photos Insteadof anf Album
If you only want to share a few images:
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Select photos
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Tap Share
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Choose contact or copy link
This shares only selected photos, not the entire album.
Benefits of Sharing Albums
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Share hundreds of photos at once
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No file size limits like WhatsApp
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Better photo quality
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Easy group collaboration
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Safe cloud storage
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Access anytime
It’s much more efficient than sending photos individually.
Privacy and Security Tips
To keep your photos safe:
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Only share with trusted people
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Disable link sharing after the event ends
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Remove unknown members
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Use a strong Google password
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Enable 2-step verification
Remember:
Anyone with the link can view the album (if link sharing is on).
Common Problems and Fixes
Link Not Working?
Fix:
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Make sure link sharing is enabled
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Resend the updated link
People Can’t Add Photos?
Fix:
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Turn on the “Collaborate” option
Album Not Showing?
Fix:
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Check the correct Google account
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Refresh the app
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Check the internet connection
Quick Summary
To share a Google Photos album:
On Mobile:
Library → Open Album → Share Icon → Choose method
On Desktop:
Albums → Open Album → Share → Send link or invite
Optional:
Enable collaboration for group uploads
Final Thoughts
Sharing a Google Photos album is one of the easiest ways to distribute large collections of photos and videos in seconds. Whether you’re sharing travel memories, event pictures, or team projects, Google Photos makes it smooth and secure.
You stay in control of privacy, can allow others to contribute, and can stop sharing anytime.
Now that you know how to share a Google Photos album, try creating and sharing one for your next event — it’s simple, fast, and hassle-free.