How to Fix Shared Album Not Showing Up on iPhone?

Shared Album not showing up on iPhone can cause hindrances in creating collaborative photo collections with your loved ones. If you’re unable to view this feature and are having trouble sharing photos with your friends or family, you’ve come to the right place. 

shared album not showing up

In this guide, learn the main causes behind this issue and the possible fixes to continue sharing your photos across devices. 

Why Is My Shared Album Not Showing Up on iPhone?

Before we dive into the potential solutions for this feature failing to appear on your device, it’s important to identify the root cause. Although there can several reasons behind Shared Album not showing up on iPhone, some of the most common ones are as follows:

  • Outdated iOS: If your device is running on an outdated iOS version, it may not have access to all the latest features. Hence, resulting in the compatibility issue with the Shared Albums feature.
  • Software Glitches: Internal bugs or temporary glitches within the operating system can also lead to the disappearance of the Shared Albums feature. 

Now that we know the causes of this problem, let’s dive straight into solutions.

Solution 1. Re-Enable Shared Albums

For you to use the Shared Albums feature, it should be enabled on your iPhone. So, before heading to the troubleshooting methods for the Shared Albums not showing up issue, you must ensure that this feature is enabled on your iPhone. If it’s not, switching it on will solve the problem. 

If the feature is already enabled, we suggest turning it off and on again to remove any temporary glitches. Follow these steps to do so:

  1. Launch the Settings app on your iPhone.
  2. Go to your Profile from the top.
apple id on iphone
  1. From there, select iCloud.
  2. Then, tap on Photos.
photos in icloud settings
  1. Switch off the toggle for Shared Albums, then turn it back on.
shared albums in photos

Solution 2. Restart Your iPhone

Another simple fix for various common iPhone issues is to switch off your iPhone. After a while, turn it back on and check if the Shared Albums appear. By restarting your device, any unwanted bugs and glitches will be eliminated, fixing the issue you’re facing. 

Here are the steps to follow to restart your iPhone:

  1. Press and hold the Side button until the slider appears on your iPhone’s screen.
  2. Then, drag the slider across the screen to power off your device.
power off slider
  1. Now, press and hold the Side button again until you see the Apple logo on the screen.
shared album not showing up

Solution 3. Turn Off Low Power Mode

Although Low Power Mode helps save the iPhone’s battery when it’s low, it may do so by turning off some common functions. This may be the case if you’re unable to see the Shared Albums on your device. 

So, switch off Low Power Mode and see if that fixes the problem. Here’s how to do it:

  1. First, open the Settings app on your iPhone.
  2. Then, scroll down and select Battery.
  3. Turn off the toggle for Low Power Mode to disable it.
iphone low power mode

Solution 4. Re-sign into iCloud

Shared Albums is an iCloud feature. Therefore, if your iCloud isn’t working or syncing properly, it might also cause the Shared Album not to show up or not display all the photos. To resolve this issue, consider re-signing into your iCloud account.

First sign out of your iCloud in the following way:

  1. Go to Settings.
  2. From there, tap on your Profile.
  3. Then, scroll down and select Sign Out.
icloud sign out
  1. You will need to enter your Apple ID password.
  2. Then, tap on Turn Off at the top-right corner of the screen to disable Find My iPhone.
  3. If you want to save a copy of your data, turn on this feature.
  4. Then, tap on the Sign Out option at the top-right corner of your iPhone’s screen.
  5. Again, select Sign Out to confirm the action.

Here’s how to sign back in to your iCloud:

  1. Launch the Settings app.
  2. At the very top, tap on the option Sign in to your iPhone.
sign in to your iPhone
  1. You will need to enter your Apple ID and password.
  2. Finally, enter the verification code sent to you.

Solution 5. Update to the Latest iOS Version

Keeping your iPhone’s software version up to date is also important if you want to utilize all the features that Apple offers its user. Updating your device also eliminates bugs and troubleshoots common issues including Shared Album not showing up. 

Note: Your iPhone requires sufficient storage and battery to update to the latest iOS version. So, ensure that you have enough storage and fully charge your device before performing this method. 

Follow the steps below: 

  1. Go to the Settings app on your device.
  2. Scroll down and tap on General.
  3. Then, select Software Update.
iphone software update
  1. If there is any pending update, tap on Download and Install.

Solution 6. Reset Network Settings

If you’ve tried all the methods mentioned above but have been unsuccessful in fixing the problem, your last resort is to reset your device’s Network Settings. Misconfigured Network settings may also cause several functions not to work properly, such as Shared Album not showing up.

Note: Resetting Network Settings doesn’t affect your device’s data. It will only reset all your iPhone’s settings regarding Wi-Fi, Cellular, VPNs, etc. 

Here are the steps you must follow:

  1. Open the Settings app.
  2. Locate the General tab and tap on it.
  3. Next, scroll down and select Transfer or Reset iPhone.
shared album not showing up
  1. From the bottom of the screen, select the Reset option.
  2. Now, tap on the Reset Network Settings.
iphone reset network settings
  1. You will be required to enter your passcode.
  2. To confirm your action, select Reset Network Settings again.
  3. Finally, follow the on-screen instructions to reset your iPhone’s network settings.

Shared Album Not Showing Up on iPhone - FAQs

How can I accept a Shared Album invitation?

In order to accept a Shared Album invitation, you must have this feature enabled on your iPhone. Once the invite notification appears in the notification center, tap on it. This will take you to the Shared Album Activity section. From there, select the Accept option to join the album.

How can I view Shared Albums on iPhone?

If you want to view the Shared Albums on your device, head over to the Photos app. After that, go to the Albums tab from the bottom. Then, scroll down till you see the Shared Albums.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Abdullah Iqbal


Abdullah is a Google IT certified Help Desk Technician with extensive experience in providing technical support to system users. He has a proven track record of effectively resolving IT issues, and is adept at working with tools like Jira and ZenDesk to efficiently manage support tickets. Abdullah is committed to staying up-to-date with the latest technological advancements and constantly seeks to improve his skills and knowledge through professional development opportunities.