Everything About iOS 16 iCloud Shared Photo Library

New feature: iCloud Shared Photo Library coming to iOS 16

At this year's WWDC, Apple introduced a new feature called iCloud Shared Photo Library, which is designed to help you share iCloud photo library with family or close friends. Each member of the group can contribute to the shared photo library, that’s to say, it’s a new place to store photos and videos captured by family members. While it seems to make sharing photos on an iPhone or iPad much easier, there are some potential pitfalls. Just keep reading to learn all details about iCloud Shared Photo Library in iOS 16.

All details about iOS 16 iCloud Shared Photo Library

iOS 16 iCloud Shared Photo Library is designed to easily share iCloud photo library with another Apple ID. It is a separate iCloud library where up to six members can collaborate on, contribute to, and enjoy. Each member has equal access to add, favorite, edit, and delete all shared photos.

★ You are allowed to share all existing photos or photos from a specific start date. In addition, you can choose to share photos that have specific people. Of course, you can move selected photos to iCloud Shared Photo Library at any time.
★ You can choose to upload photos to Shared Photo Library automatically using the new toggle in Camera app. In addition, when users take a photo and members are nearby, they can get the photo immediately. That’s to say, once set up, you can easily get all the photos your family has taken about the trip without having to spend time sharing the photos.
★ The iCloud Shared Photo Library will show up in Memories and Featured Photos. Every member can easily access the library and relive complete family moments.

iOS 16 iCloud Shared Photo Library potential pitfalls

Photo sharing is simplified with iOS 16 iCloud Shared Photo Library, which is an easy way to share iCloud photo library with family. However, it's not perfect.

● On the one hand, when inappropriate photos find their way into the Shared Photo Library, there can be some awkward situations.
● On the other hand, every member can edit or delete the photos in the Shared Photo Library, this may cause some conflicts. Your favorite photos may be deleted by others.

Anyhow, only when you have used it will you know whether it is suitable for you. 

Another wireless way to share photo library with family

In addition to iCloud, there are other ways to help you share photos. You probably know that you can share photos via AirDrop. However, you may have found that when you try to AirDrop multiple photos, such as hundreds of photos, the transfer may fail. You can split it into multiple transfers to ensure that all photos are transferred successfully but it is a time-consuming job.

If you want an easy way to share iCloud photo library with another Apple ID, you can try FoneTool for iOS, one free data transfer tool for iOS devices. This tool works like AirDrop and can help you wirelessly transfer photos, videos, songs, contacts, pdf, word documents and any other files in the Files app between two iDevices.

One thing that is different from AirDrop is that it helps you transfer hundreds or thousands of photos at a time. Below are the steps to transfer photos from iPhone to iPhone wirelessly.

Step 1. Scan this QR code or search "FoneTool" in App Store to install the tool on both iPhones.

Step 2. Open FoneTool on both iPhones. Allow FoneTool to connect to devices on your local network, access your photos, music, contacts, etc. on your device.

Step 3. Place two devices near each other > Go to Connect Device and tap the device name on either iPhone to establish a connection. (Please make sure Wi-Fi is enabled on both iPhones, otherwise, you will not see the device.)

Step 4. On the source iPhone, go to File Transfer > Choose the needed photos and tap Send button.

You can go to Transfer List to view the progress of receiving and sending. The transferred photos will be saved in Photos app.

Final words

iCloud Shared Photo Library in iOS 16 is a new way to share iCloud photo library with family. This could be a great feature to share photos instantly with family members while traveling. However, there may be unnecessary troubles due to automatic photo uploads.

What do you think about this iCloud Shared Photo Library? Will you use it to share iCloud photo library with another Apple ID? Welcome to leave comments to share with us.