• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

AppleToolBox

Tools and Fixes for Mac, iPad, iPhone & iWatch

Search posts

  • About
  • Contact

CONNECT WITH US

CATEGORIES

  • iPhone
  • iPad
  • iPod
  • Apple Watch
  • Mac/MacBook
  • AirPods
  • Apple TV
  • News
  • Apple Services
  • HomePod
  • Reviews

SITE

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Advertise

Search posts

You are here: Home / iPad / How to Use iCloud Shared Photo Library

How to Use iCloud Shared Photo Library

By Andrew Myrick 0 comments Last updated December 29, 2022

There are a lot of new features on the way for iPhone, iPad, and Mac owners when the next major software versions are released. From the redesigned Lock Screen with iOS 16 to Stage Manager on the iPad and Mac, we have a lot to be excited for. And in true Apple fashion, the company is bringing some other features that make it easier to share moments with our closest family and friends.

Related Reading

  • Best Photo Editing Apps for iPhone
  • How to Save a Photo Attachment on your iPad
  • iPhone/iPad: How to Save Images from Safari
  • A Complete Guide to Editing Photos on Your iPhone
  • How To Change Album’s Main Picture in Photos

Until iOS 16 is released, trying to share photos and videos with loved ones hasn’t always been easy, at least if you’re trying to do so from iCloud. Instead, we’ve needed to rely on third-party solutions like Google Photos, Dropbox, or other storage solutions. Thankfully, iCloud Shared Photo Library aims to change all of that.

What Is iCloud Shared Photo Library?

How to use iCloud Shared Photo Library

With iCloud Shared Photo Library, this works similarly to iCloud Family, just with photos. You can share photos and videos with up to five other people of your choosing.

These photos and videos can be sent using a Shared Library, with everyone in the group being able to add content. Collaboration even goes so far as to show any of the edited photos, as soon as the edits have been saved. Apple is also making it easier to share your photos, as the Photos app will provide Smart Suggestions.

As you might expect, this is a feature coming to iOS 16, iPadOS 16, and macOS Ventura later this year. The final version of the software is expected to arrive sometime in the Fall, likely coinciding with the release of the next iPhone.

How to use iCloud Shared Photo Library

For those who want to use iCloud Shared Photo Library, there’s a bit of a setup process to follow in order to get everything working properly. There isn’t a magic button that just appears in the Photos app, but instead, you’ll actually need to manually go through the process of creating the Shared Photo Library and adding contacts. Here’s you can set up and use iCloud Shared Photo Library:

  1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
  2. Scroll down and tap Photos.
  3. Under Library, tap Shared Library.
  4. Tap the Start Setup button.
  5. If you want to add people to the library now, tap the Add Participants button.
  6. Select up to five contacts that you want to add.
  7. Tap the Continue button.
  8. Choose one of the following options:
    1. All My Photos and Videos
    2. Choose by People or Date
    3. Choose Manually
  9. Once selected, tap the Continue button.
  10. If you want to invite non-family members to your Shared Library, tap the Add Participants button.
  11. Select the contacts that you want to add.
  12. Tap the Invite via Messages button.
  13. Select one of the following options if you want to enable Share from Camera.
    1. Share Automatically
    2. Share Manually Only
  14. Tap the Done button.

And that’s it! Now your iCloud Shared Photo Library has been set up, making it easier than ever to share those precious moments with the people closest to you.

How To View iCloud Shared Photo Library

With your Shared Photo Library created and the necessary people invited, you might be wondering how you can view the library. Well, it’s extremely easy to do so, and here are the steps you need to take:

  1. Open the Photos app on your iPhone or iPad.
  2. In the top right corner, tap the icon with three horizontal dots (…).
  3. From the drop-down menu, select one of the following:
    1. Both Libraries
    2. Shared Library

There’s a third option listed when you see the drop-down menu, and that’s just to take you back to your personal photo library. But you’ll now be able to see whenever a new photo or video is added to the Shared Library, even if it wasn’t taken by the person who created the library.

Automatically Send Images and Videos to Shared Photo Library

Say you’re on a family or group vacation, and you want to make sure that all of the pictures and images are shared with everyone. That’s something that Apple also thought about, as you can toggle between your on-device library or your Shared Photo Library. Just by adding a button in the default Camera app, you can switch between libraries with ease.

  1. Open the Camera app.
  2. In the top left corner, tap the Group icon next to the Flash icon.

Once selected, you’ll see a Shared Library message appear above the viewfinder. Now, whenever you take a picture, it will be automatically sent into the Shared Library as opposed to the personal library. If you want to take pictures that are not sent to the Shared Library, tap the same icon referenced above. A Personal Library message appears above the viewfinder, confirming the location of where the image or video will be saved.

Andrew Myrick

Andrew is a freelance writer based on the East Coast of the US.

He has written for a variety of sites over the years, including iMore, Android Central, Phandroid, and a few others. Now, he spends his days working for an HVAC company, while moonlighting as a freelance writer at night.

Related Posts:

  • iOS 13 and iPadOS problems and fixes
    iOS 13 or iPadOS problems and how to fix them -…
  • iPadOS 17 Stage Manager
    How to Use Stage Manager on iPad
  • photo of an iphone with ios 16 downloaded on it
    iOS 16 Tips and Tricks: The Definitive List
  • Best iPhone Lock Screen Widgets for iOS 16
    Best iPhone Lock Screen Widgets for iOS 16
  • How to Use Stage Manager on Mac With macOS Ventura
    How to Use Stage Manager on Mac With macOS Ventura
  • The Best iPad Tips and Tricks to Turn You into a Power User
    The Best iPad Tips and Tricks to Turn You into a Power User
  • iCloud Photos Guide
    The Definitive Guide to iCloud Photos (2020 update)
  • How to use ChatGPT on iPhone and iPad - Hero
    How to Use ChatGPT on iPhone and iPad
  • sidecar on iPadOS and macOS
    Sidecar not working in iPadOS and macOS? How to fix Sidecar…

Reader Interactions

Write a Comment Cancel reply

Primary Sidebar

Recent Posts

  • Seeing “This Accessory Is Not Supported by This Device” on your iPad or iPhone?
  • How to Use Siri Health Queries
  • How to Force Restart iPhone 15
  • Best Interactive Widgets for iPadOS 17
  • iPhone Not Connecting to Cellular Network: How to Fix
  • Problems Using External Hard Drive With Mac: How to Fix

Connect with us

Footer

ABOUT

  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Advertise
  • Privacy
  • Terms of Use

GUIDES

  • iOS 13 & iPadOS
  • Apple ID
  • iCloud
  • App Store
  • iTunes
  • FaceTime
  • iMessage
  • Siri
  • Books and iBooks
  • Game Center
  • AirPlay

CONNECT

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • FeedBurner
  • YouTube

© Copyright 2010-2023 Guiding Tech Media · All Rights Reserved

This site and its content are in no way affiliated or endorsed by Apple, Inc. · Reproduction without explicit permission is prohibited