How to share an iCloud Shared Album with Android and Windows users in iOS 27

iCloud Shared Albums become easier to use with people outside the Apple ecosystem in iOS 27. Friends and family using Android phones or Windows PCs can join through iCloud.com and contribute their own photos.

That makes Shared Albums more practical for holidays, weddings, events and other occasions where not everyone in the group owns an iPhone or Mac.

The album owner controls invitations and sharing, and photos or videos added to newer Shared Albums can affect the owner’s iCloud storage depending on the album configuration.

How to invite Android or Windows users to an iCloud Shared Album

1. Open the Photos app on your iPhone.
2. Open the Shared Album you want to use, or create a new one.
3. Open the album’s sharing or participant controls.
4. Choose the option to invite additional people.
5. Send the invitation to the Android or Windows user.
6. Ask them to open the invitation and follow the iCloud.com instructions in their web browser.
7. Once they have joined, they can view the album and contribute photos where you have allowed participants to add content.

Before inviting a large group to contribute, it is worth checking your available iCloud storage so additional full-resolution media does not unexpectedly fill your plan.