iOS 27 to Bring Full-Resolution Media, Web Contributions to iCloud Shared Albums

The report was written by a 9to5Mac contributor who described Shared Albums as one of his most-used features in the Photos app. He said full-resolution support for photos and videos had been at the top of his wish list for the feature, and called it a significant item checked off.

Reactions in shared albums also change under iOS 27. Users will be able to respond to a shared photo or video with any emoji of their choosing, rather than being limited to a like.

Contributions from outside Apple's ecosystem are another change. According to the report, Android and Windows users will be able to add to an album through the web for the first time. Previously, those users could only view content that Apple users had shared, and could not contribute their own photos or videos.

Several smaller adjustments are included as well. Saving a shared photo becomes a one-tap action, users can set new participant permissions, and an album can be given an optional expiry date so that it ends at a later, chosen time.

The report said the changes address the complaints the writer had previously raised about Shared Albums. Combined with the other improvements Apple has made to Photos in iOS 27, he described the release as a big year for the app. The post did not specify the release timing for the Shared Albums features within the iOS 27 cycle.

iCloud Shared Albums lets a user create an album that is shared only with selected people. Anyone invited can add photos and videos, and participants receive notifications when new items are posted. Members can also like shared photos and leave comments, giving the feature a social-network-style layer inside a private album.