Upgrade Your Shared Photo Albums to Invite Android Users

Have you ever gone on a trip with an Android-using friend, only to discover you can't create a shared album for all the photos you took together? Now, you can upgrade shared albums you created so you can share them with friends and family who don't have Apple devices. No more texting photos back and forth!

Why You'll Love This Tip

  • Share photo albums with Android users.
  • Upgrading a shared album stores the album in full resolution. (Keep in mind this does take up more storage.)

How to Upgrade a Shared Album on Your iPhone & iPad

System Requirements

This tip was performed on an iPhone 17 Pro running iOS 27. These steps do not work for users running iOS 26. Find out how to update to the latest version of iOS.

When you upgrade your photo album, you'll now be able to share it with any Android-using friend. You can't upgrade all your shared albums at once, so follow the steps below to upgrade them one at a time. This may be improved in a future operating system. You can also only upgrade shared albums you created.

Note: If you upgrade your album, group album members with devices that don't have the latest software will only be able to see the album on the iCloud website. 

iPhone Life
Discover your iPhone's hidden features
Get a daily tip (with screenshots and clear instructions) so you can master your iPhone in just one minute a day.
  1. Open the Photos app.

    open the photos app
  2. Tap the Collections tab.

    tap collections in photos
  3. Tap Albums.

    tap albums in photos
  4. Tap Shared.

    tap shared in albums
  5. Touch and hold a shared album you created.

    touch and hold shared album
  6. Tap Upgrade Shared Album.

    tap upgrade shared album
  7. Tap Get Started.

    tap get started to upgrade shared album
  8. Tap Start Upgrade.

    tap start upgrade
Once you've upgraded your album, you can now share it with Android users
. Now you know how to upgrade a shared album on your iPhone and iPad. Be sure to check out our free Tip of the Day for more shared photo album tutorials.

Top image credit: W. Phokin / Shutterstock.com

    Master your iPhone in one minute a day: Sign up here to get our FREE Tip of the Day delivered right to your inbox.

    Topics

    Author Details

    Leanne Hays's picture

    Author Details

    Leanne Hays

    Leanne Hays has more than sixteen years of experience writing for online publications. As a SEO Specialist and Feature Writer for iPhone Life, she has authored hundreds of how-to, Apple news, and gear review articles, as well as a comprehensive Photos App guide. Leanne holds degrees in education and science and loves troubleshooting and repair. This combination makes her a perfect fit as manager of our Ask an Expert service, which helps iPhone Life Insiders with Apple hardware and software issues.
    In off-work hours, Leanne is a mother of two, homesteader, audiobook fanatic, musician, and learning enthusiast.