iCloud Shared Albums review

iCloud Shared Albums costs nothing extra for iPhone families and got a large upgrade this year. Apple's support pages say albums created in iOS 27, iPadOS 27 or macOS 27 support full-resolution sharing, emoji reactions and up to 100 participants, and friends and family can join and add photos on the web without an Apple Account. Temporary shared albums hold up to 5,000 items and don't count toward iCloud storage. Two caveats matter. Full-resolution albums now count toward the owner's iCloud storage, and albums created on iOS 26 or earlier still reduce photos to 2048 pixels on the long edge and video to 720p. The free iCloud tier is 5 GB, and iCloud+ starts at $0.99 a month for 50GB on apple.com, shareable with up to five other family members. Android users can only take part through the web. We compared documented features and published prices.

Who it is for

families where most people use an iPhone

Price

Free with 5 GB of iCloud storage; iCloud+ from $0.99 per month for 50GB.

50GB $0.99/month
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 11, 2026.

Key features

• Up to 100 participants per shared album, including the owner
• Full-resolution sharing in albums created on iOS 27 or later
• Friends without an Apple Account can join and add photos on the web
• Temporary shared albums of up to 5,000 items that don't count toward iCloud storage
• Comments and emoji reactions on shared photos

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Already built into every iPhone, with no extra app
• Strength: iCloud+ can be shared with up to five other family members
• Strength: Plans start at $0.99 a month for 50GB
• Weakness: Albums made on iOS 26 or earlier resize photos to 2048 pixels on the long edge
• Weakness: On iOS 27, full-resolution albums count toward the owner's iCloud storage
• Weakness: No native Android app

Key facts

• Participants per album: 100 including the owner
• Free storage: 5 GB iCloud
• Cheapest iCloud+ plan: 50GB for $0.99 a month
• Older album limit: 5,000 items, 2048 pixel long edge
• Family Sharing: Up to five other family members

Where it ranks

iCloud Shared Albums is No. 3 in our Best Photo Sharing Apps verdict.