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Six free ways, compared

How to create a link for photos

Upload the photos, then copy the share link. A shoots.page gallery link is free up to 2 GB and opens with no account; iCloud links last 30 days, and Google Photos, Drive and Dropbox links last until you stop sharing.

Last updated

Photo links compared

Checked on 11 October 2026.
MethodWhat the viewer needsQualityHow long it lastsMain limit
iCloud link (iPhone, iOS 26 or earlier)Just the linkFull quality30 daysNeeds iCloud Photos turned on
Shared album link (iPhone, iOS 27)The link; joining may ask for an email or sign-inFull resolutionUntil you delete it, or 30 days if temporaryUses your iCloud storage (5 GB free) unless temporary
Google Photos linkJust the linkYour backed-up copy; Storage saver resizes photos over 16 MPUntil you turn off link sharingAnyone with an album link can add photos
Google Drive linkJust the link, no sign-inThe complete fileUntil you change the sharingNo password; 15 GB free, shared with Gmail and Photos
Dropbox linkJust the link, no accountThe original fileUntil you turn it off2 GB free; no link password or expiry on Basic
shoots.pageJust the link, no account or appOriginals byte for byte, plus 2000 px previewsUntil you delete it or the expiry date you setPhotos only, no video; 2 GB free per account

Which link to use

On iPhone: an iCloud link or a shared album link

iOS 26 or earlier, with iCloud Photos turned on:

  1. In Photos, select the photos and tap the Share button.
  2. Tap Options, then Copy iCloud Link.
  3. Paste the link into Messages, Mail or another app.

Anyone with the link can view the photos in full quality for 30 days.

iOS 27, with Shared Albums turned on in Settings, your name, iCloud, Photos:

  1. In Photos, tap Collections, Shared Albums, then the Add button.
  2. Name the album and add the photos. Tap Sharing Options and choose Anyone with the Link; turn on Make Album Temporary for a 30-day album. Tap Done.
  3. Open the album, tap Manage Shared Album, then Invite Participants or Copy Album Link.

The album opens at full resolution on Apple and non-Apple devices. A temporary album holds up to 5,000 photos and videos and uses no iCloud storage; a normal one uses your iCloud storage (5 GB free).

Google Photos: create a link

  1. In the Google Photos app, select a photo or an album.
  2. Tap Share, swipe left and tap Create link.
  3. Paste the link into a message or an email.

Anyone with the link can view, even without Google Photos. They see your backed-up copy, so Storage saver photos over 16 MP arrive at 16 MP. The link works until you turn off link sharing, and an album link also lets people add photos.

Google Drive or Dropbox: share a file or folder link

Google Drive:

  1. Upload the photos, ideally into one folder.
  2. Select the folder and click Share.
  3. Under General access, choose Anyone with the link as Viewer.
  4. Click Copy link, then Done.

Dropbox: on dropbox.com, hover over the file or folder, click Share, then Copy link. In the app, tap the more options button, then Share, Link for viewing and Copy link.

Both keep the file as you uploaded it, and people can view or download it without an account.

shoots.page: one gallery link for the whole set

  1. On the shoots.page homepage, pick the photos in your phone or computer browser. HEIC photos from an iPhone are fine.
  2. Add a title and sign in with Google.
  3. Let the upload run; if you leave, it resumes where it stopped.
  4. Publish, then tap Copy link.

People open the link with no account or app, browse 60 photos per page and view 2000 px previews. Depending on what you allow, they save single photos or a ZIP of the set, as originals byte for byte or as 2000 px JPEGs. A password and an expiry date are optional, and it's free up to 2 GB per account. Make a QR code with the gallery QR code tool, or see how sharing photos on shoots.page works. It takes photos only: no video, no guest uploads, and it isn't a backup.

Common questions

How do I give a link to a picture?
Put the picture somewhere that makes share links and copy its link. In Google Photos, tap Share, swipe left and tap Create link. On an iPhone with iOS 26 or earlier, tap Share, then Options, then Copy iCloud Link.
How do I create an iCloud link for photos?
On iOS 26 or earlier, with iCloud Photos on, select the photos, tap Share, then Options, then Copy iCloud Link; the link lasts 30 days. On iOS 27, make a shared album, set Sharing Options to Anyone with the Link, then tap Manage Shared Album and Copy Album Link.
How long does a photo link last?
An iCloud link and a temporary iOS 27 shared album last 30 days. Google Photos, Google Drive and Dropbox links work until you turn sharing off. A shoots.page gallery stays online until you delete it or it reaches the expiry date you set.
Can I password-protect a photo link?
On shoots.page, yes: add a password of 8 to 256 characters on the free plan. Dropbox link passwords need a Professional, Essentials or team plan, and Google Drive links have no password option.
Do people need an account to open the link?
No. All of these links open without an account. Joining an iOS 27 shared album may ask for an email address or a sign-in, but no Apple Account is needed to join on the web.

One link for the whole set

Pick the photos in your browser, sign in with Google and share one gallery link. Free up to 2 GB, with no account for viewers.

Prepare a gallery

Sources

Apple: iPhone User Guide, iOS 26, Apple Vision Pro User Guide, Create shared albums, Use Shared Albums, Temporary shared albums, iCloud. Google: Share photos, Backup quality, Share Drive files, Drive files, Drive downloads, Google storage. Dropbox: Create a link, Link permissions, Remove access, Bandwidth limits, Dropbox Basic, Photo quality. Checked on 11 October 2026.