If you have a Google account and an Android device, you have probably heard of Google photos. If you haven’t yet, it’s only a matter of time, as the service’s popularity is growing every day. Google Photos is completely free, gives you unlimited storage space for both photos and videos as well as plenty of social features and sharing options. In this guide, you'll learn how to create and share 'Collaborative Albums' with anyone you know.    

how_to_use_google_photos_sharing_tools

How to Reduce Google Chromes Memory/Ram Usage.

As we mentioned above, Google Photos is full of features, is completely free and it’s super easy to share photos from. More and more platforms that use photos and videos as part of their service are also starting to adopt Google Photos as a place to upload your content from. For example, if you are into photography you may have noticed that Gurushots (a Photography competition website) has recently added an option to upload from Google Photos. If you are already a user or just exploring the app, below are the steps you need to follow to share album collaborations.    

How to Create and Share an Album in Google Photos.

The first thing you are going to have to do once you have Google Photos up and running on your device is tap on the three horizontal line menu icon in the top left-hand corner of the app window. From inside the menu select Shared, this will open a new section that will display albums you can share with anyone. In the bottom right-hand corner of this page, you will see a Green + symbol, tap this to create a new shareable album.

How_to_make_shareable_albums_in_google_photos

You will now be able to select as many photos as you like. Once you have your assortment of photos ready, click Next, name your new album, then save it using the small tick in the upper left-hand corner. If you are using Google Photos on iPhone tap the Share button.

How_to_share_photos_from_google_photos

Now that your album has been created, you can share it. On Android devices tap the dots connected by lines shaped like a C icon (share) in the upper right corner. (On iPhone you have already hit share) You will now have the option to share your album across tons of different platforms, such as Facebook Messenger, Snapchat, Skype, Email etc. Upon selecting an app to share to, Google Photos will paste a URL link to your album into the service, then all you have to do is tap Send.

how_to_share_google_Photos_albums_by_url

Note: You should be aware that this URL isn’t protected by a password or security, it is completely open, so anyone who has the Link can view it. So be aware that if you send this URL to someone it is possible for them to forward it on to others.

How to Customise Your Shared Albums.

With your album created, you now have the option to customize it further using the icons that run along the top of the app. If you tap on the 3 vertical dots icon you also have the option to view/edit the extra options not listed along the top. Below are the areas you can customize in your album:

  • Add more pictures/videos to the album.
  • Add comments/text to the album.
  • Share the Album with more people.
  • Add Locations.

You will also notice that when you open the 3 dots vertical menu you have access to Sharing Options, inside this menu you can:

  • Enable or disable sharing for this album.
  • Get a copy of the URL link to the album.
  • Turn collaboration on and off (this option allows other users to add/edit the album)
  • Comment, which allows people to comment on the items within the album.
  • Last of all, it displays the Owner of the album, which in this case will be you.

Note: If you decide to turn off sharing at any stage for the album, the link will no longer work. Upon enabling sharing again a new link will be generated.  

How_to_make_google_photos_URL_private

How to Delete a Shared Album in Google Photos.

Deleting a shared album is really easy and all you have to do is tap on the 3 dots vertical menu and select Delete Album from the bottom of the list. Once you delete the album, everyone including you will no longer be able to view/use it.