How to Fix Shared Albums Not Working on iPhone, iPad, or Mac

PDF download Download Article
Get access to your online shared photos again
PDF download Download Article

Are you not seeing photos in your Shared Albums? Whether you're the creator or recipient, you can easily troubleshoot it. Before beginning, check for any existing invites and accept it first. This wikiHow will show you what to do when a Shared Album is not showing up on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac computer.

Fixing Shared Albums Not Syncing

  • If you can't find Shared Albums, resend the invitation or ask the album-maker to send you a new invite.
  • Try removing the recipient from the Shared Album and adding them again.
  • You can find Shared Album invites in Photos > For You .
1

Check your notifications.

PDF download Download Article
  1. You'll see this notification in your Notifications Center or in the Photos app. [1] To find it, do the following:
    • Open Photos .
    • Tap For You .
    • Tap Accept in the invitation .
    2. Advertisement
2

Resend the invite.

PDF download Download Article
  1. If the recipient didn't get a notification to join your shared album, you can send another invitation. Similarly, if you didn't receive an invitation to join, ask the album creator to send you another invite. This can be done from an iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Windows. [2]
    • iPhone or iPad :
      • Open the Photos app.
      • Tap Albums .
      • Tap Shared Albums or Shared .
      • Tap People .
      • Tap the recipient in the list of subscribers.
      • Tap Resend Invitation .
    • Mac :
      • Open the Photos app.
      • Click Shared Album .
      • Click the album.
      • Click People (person icon).
      • Click the arrow next to the recipient's name.
      • Click Resend Invitation .
    • Windows :
      • Open iCloud Photos .
      • Double-click the shared album.
      • Click Options .
      • Click the recipient.
      • Click Resend Invitation .
      • Click Done .
3

Re-add the recipient.

PDF download Download Article
  1. This may fix any invitation errors. You can also try sending the invitation to a different email address.
    • iPhone or iPad :
      • Open the Photos app.
      • Tap Albums .
      • Tap Shared Albums or Shared .
      • Tap People .
      • Tap Invite People .
      • Enter their email address.
      • Tap Add .
    • Mac :
      • Open the Photos app.
      • Click Shared Album .
      • Select the shared album.
      • Click People (person icon).
      • Click + in the Invite People field.
      • Select a contact.
    2. Advertisement
4

Toggle Shared Albums on and off.

PDF download Download Article
  1. This will remove the albums and add it back again. Make sure you're connected to Wi-Fi .
    • iPhone or iPad :
      • Force-close the Photos app.
      • Open Settings > your Apple account > iCloud > Photos .
      • Toggle off Shared Albums .
      • Go to your Home screen and wait a few minutes.
      • Open Settings > your Apple account > iCloud > Photos .
      • Toggle on Shared Albums .
      • Open the Photos app and check your albums.
    • Mac :
      • Open the Photos app.
      • Click Photos > Settings .
      • Click iCloud .
      • Uncheck Shared Albums .
      • Wait a few minutes.
      • Check Shared Albums .
    • Windows :
      • Close all Shared Albums windows.
      • Open iCloud for Windows .
      • Click Options next to Photos .
      • Uncheck Shared Albums .
      • Click OK > Apply .
      • Wait a few minutes.
      • Click Options again.
      • Check Shared Albums > OK > Apply .
5

Check your spam folder.

PDF download Download Article
  1. If the album creator isn't added to your contacts, it may be flagged automatically. You can check both your spam and junk folders for the Shared Album invitation.
    2. Advertisement
6

Restart your device.

PDF download Download Article
  1. If Shared Albums aren't showing up on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, a simple restart may help it sync.
7

Check Apple's servers.

PDF download Download Article
  1. The Photos feature may be temporarily impacted due to the new iOS update. You can find this on the Apple website .
    • If you see Unavailable next to Photos, you'll need to wait for Apple to resolve their server errors.
    2. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      You Might Also Like

      5 Easy Ways to Get Around ChatGPT Security Filters
      5 Ways to Fix Logitech G HUB When It Won’t Open
      Everything You Need to Know About Soap2Day: Safety & More
      How to
      Avoid Being Banned on Soulseek: Tips & Fixes
      Character AI: What It Is, Fixing Filters & Repeats, & More
      3 Simple Ways to Share Your Venmo Link
      How to
      Access Blocked Sites Without a VPN: School, Work, and Home
      How to
      Fix ChatGPT Login Problems & Errors: 12 Solutions
      Starting Again on Tinder
      Simple Ways to Make a GIF Your Wallpaper
      How to
      Log Into Ultipro
      How to
      Use AutoHotkey
      Steam Level Guide: How to Earn XP by Crafting Badges & More
      2 Easy Ways to Change a PSN Account Age on Desktop or Mobile
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/119865
      2. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-ph/102503

      About This Article

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 1,300 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement