---
id: icloud.what-is-icloud-shared-photo-library
url: https://storagestudio.us/faq/icloud/what-is-icloud-shared-photo-library
category: "iCloud & iCloud Photos"
subcategory: "Sharing folders and photo libraries"
question: "What is iCloud Shared Photo Library?"
alt_questions:
  - "Shared Library in Photos Mac"
  - "Share photo library with family iCloud"
  - "iCloud Shared Library vs personal library"
  - "set up shared photo library mac"
short_answer: "It's a separate library in Photos that a small group can all add to and edit, alongside each person's personal library. Set it up in Photos → Settings → Shared Library. Deletions apply for everyone."
tags: ["shared library", "icloud photos", "family"]
related: ["https://storagestudio.us/faq/icloud/does-the-shared-photo-library-use-my-storage", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/icloud/do-shared-albums-count-against-icloud-storage", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/icloud/does-icloud-photos-count-against-icloud-storage"]
applies_to: "all"
last_reviewed: 2026-10-01
---

# What is iCloud Shared Photo Library?

It's a separate library inside Photos that up to a small group of people can all add to, edit and delete from, alongside each person's own personal library. It's made for families who want one shared collection without merging everyone's accounts.

You set it up in **Photos → Settings → Shared Library**, choose who to invite and which existing photos to move in. Everyone sees the same shared photos on all their devices. Removing something from the Shared Library removes it for everyone, so agree on house rules. Its storage is covered by one person — see [whose storage the Shared Library uses](https://storagestudio.us/faq/icloud/does-the-shared-photo-library-use-my-storage).