You should upgrade a Shared Album in iOS 27 if you want full-resolution sharing, flexible participant permissions and web access for people using Android, Windows or other non-Apple devices. Wait if essential participants cannot update to version 27 or later, or if your iCloud storage is limited. After an upgrade, existing photos and videos do not count toward the owner’s iCloud storage, but every item added afterward does, including contributions from participants.
What changes when you upgrade a Shared Album
The upgrade changes an album created in an earlier version of Apple’s Shared Albums system to the newer format available in iOS 27, iPadOS 27 and macOS 27. New Shared Albums created on those versions, or on iCloud.com, already use the newer format.
After an upgrade, newly added photos and videos are shared in their original format at full resolution. Existing items remain in the album, but the upgrade does not convert older shared copies into original-resolution files. Keep original files in a personal photo library or another backup if image quality matters.
The newer format adds filters, sorting, emoji reactions, link invitations and participant roles. The album owner can allow a participant to manage the album and photos, add photos, or only view and comment. A person who does not have an Apple Account can verify an email address to view, comment on and add photos to an album when the owner gives them the appropriate access.
People can join an upgraded Shared Album through an album link on an Apple or non-Apple device. The owner can choose to invite and approve participants, or share the album with a link and decide whether people using that link must request access. Review those settings before sharing a link widely.
| Issue | After upgrading | What to consider |
|---|---|---|
| New uploads | Shared in their original format at full resolution | Larger files can use iCloud storage quickly |
| Existing items | Remain in the album and do not count toward the owner’s storage | They are not automatically replaced with original-resolution files |
| Items added later | Count toward the owner’s iCloud storage | This includes photos and videos added by participants |
| Apple devices | Require iOS 27, iPadOS 27 or macOS 27, or later, for the upgraded album experience | Participants on earlier software must update or use iCloud.com |
| Non-Apple devices | Can join through an album link on the web | The owner must select suitable sharing and access settings |
| Recovery | An archived copy of the earlier album is available for six months | Recovery creates a separate album; it does not undo the upgrade |
Check the album and its participants before upgrading
Conversion is simple, but the compatibility and storage changes can disrupt an established family, school or work group. Complete this checklist first:
- Confirm that you created the album. Apple’s upgrade option applies to Shared Albums you created, rather than albums in which you are only a participant.
- Ask about devices and software. Regular participants using iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS 26 or earlier will need to update or use iCloud.com after conversion.
- Check your available iCloud storage. As the owner, you provide storage for new photos and videos, even when someone else adds them.
- Estimate future activity. A quiet archive has different storage needs from a holiday, wedding or sports album receiving hundreds of full-resolution photos and videos.
- Save essential items. Anyone relying on the album as the only location for a photo should save it to a personal library before making major changes.
- Explain the change. Tell participants about the software requirement and provide the album link or web instructions where appropriate.
- Choose roles carefully. Do not grant management permission simply because someone needs to upload photos.
On an iPhone or iPad, make sure iCloud Photos and Shared Albums are turned on in your iCloud Photos settings. Apple notes that some Shared Albums features are not available in every country or region.
How to upgrade a Shared Album in iOS 27
- Update your iPhone to the latest available version of iOS 27.
- Open the Photos app and tap Collections.
- Scroll to Shared Albums, then tap Shared Albums.
- Open the Shared Album that you want to upgrade.
- Tap the More button.
- Tap Upgrade Shared Album.
- Read the onscreen notice, then follow the prompts to confirm.
After conversion, open the album’s management controls and review the participant list. The available roles are Can Manage Album and Photos, Can Add Photos and Can View and Comment. A manager can approve or decline access requests, add or remove participants and delete photos. Someone with permission to add photos can delete only the content they contributed. Reserve the management role for trusted collaborators.
Test the album before inviting a large group. Add a nonessential photo, check that it appears in the album, and confirm that a participant with upload permission can contribute. Remember that this test item counts toward the owner’s iCloud storage.
If Upgrade Shared Album does not appear, check that you created the album and that the device is updated. An album already using the new format does not need conversion. If a participant cannot add photos after the upgrade, review that person’s role in the album management controls.
Recovery and situations where you should wait
When you upgrade an album, Apple keeps a copy of the earlier version in Shared Albums settings for six months. This is a limited recovery period, not a permanent backup, and recovering it does not downgrade the upgraded album.
- Open Settings and tap your name.
- Tap iCloud, then Photos.
- Under Sharing, tap Shared Albums.
- Tap Archived Shared Albums.
- Tap Recover, then tap Recover again to confirm.
The recovered earlier version appears alongside the upgraded album in Photos and remains there until you delete it. You can invite the previous participants again and continue adding photos and videos to that recovered album. It is separate from the upgraded version, so additions made to one should not be expected to appear in the other. After six months, Apple permanently deletes the archived copy.
Leave the album in its earlier format if important participants need native access on devices that cannot run version 27 or later, if web access is impractical, or if you cannot accept the storage cost of future contributions. Earlier Shared Albums do not upgrade automatically, so updating your own iPhone does not require you to convert an existing album.
Consider a temporary Shared Album for a party, trip, school event or other short-lived exchange. Temporary albums expire after 30 days, do not use iCloud storage and do not require iCloud Photos to be enabled. They can hold up to 5,000 photos and videos. Any items not saved to a personal library are deleted when the album expires, so participants should save what they want to keep before the deadline. If you later turn off the temporary setting, the album begins counting toward the owner’s iCloud storage.
