Create a small shared album, review its access settings and invite one willing relative to test it. Keep your originals in your own collection and use only harmless sample pictures while learning the process.
This guide uses Google Photos in a computer browser and an album you own.
What you need
Your Google Photos account, a few appropriate images and one intended recipient who can try the invitation. Decide whether the album is for viewing only or whether relatives should add pictures.
1. Select a small group
Open Google Photos and confirm the account. In Photos, select a few pictures using their selection controls.
Inspect the whole image and captions first. Leave out private documents, unwanted addresses or sensitive family scenes. Keep the first test modest enough that accidental wider access would not expose important private material.
Write a clear purpose, such as “Sunday lunch pictures for the family”. Keep the album limited to that event.
2. Create the shared album
At the top, choose Add to or create new, then Shared album > New shared album. Enter an understandable album title.
Before distributing it widely, open the album’s More > Options controls and review access and collaboration. Leave link sharing off if you intend named invitations, and set Collaborate according to whether people should add pictures.
If controls differ from the current documented route, pause and use Google’s help below. Do not create a public link simply to get around an unfamiliar invitation screen.
3. Invite one intended person
Choose Share, select the intended person and review the recipient before Send. Confirm you chose the right account or address, not merely a familiar display name.
Tell them what the album is for and whether contributions are wanted. Keep the request small: a few relevant favourites and a brief description where useful.
Do not ask for their password or sign in for them. They can complete their own access check.
4. Check the recipient experience
Ask whether they can open the album, see the correct selection and find it again after closing it. If contributions are enabled, have them add one harmless test image and check where it appears.
For viewing only, check that the available actions match your intended settings. Do not assume an invitation email arriving establishes the whole experience.
If you deliberately choose link sharing, inspect the harmless album link in a signed-out browser too. Note any title, cover or photos exposed. Anyone who receives an active viewing link may be able to pass it on.
5. Add the reviewed selection
Once the first test makes sense, add the intended event pictures and invite the rest of the chosen group. Review new additions rather than assuming everything from a relative’s phone belongs here.
Keep originals and useful captions in your independent collection. Ask for original files separately if a shared copy is insufficient for a print or preservation task.
Record the album owner, purpose and chosen access method without putting private credentials in the note.
Check your result
The intended person should be able to view or contribute as planned. The album should contain the reviewed selection and have an owner who understands its settings.
For later closure, review contributions first. Google says stopping sharing removes others’ added photos and comments from the album. Remove members and turn off link sharing to end those access routes; already downloaded copies remain with recipients.
A private album is not a guarantee against screenshots or forwarding. Keep that practical limit in mind when choosing images, rather than relying on settings to recall copies later.
Next step
Check location information in Google Photos sharing.
Sources and scope
Researched 9 September 2026: Google shared-album creation and album access controls. This is documented guidance, not a performed invitation test.