How to Share iCloud Folders: A Simple Guide

Updated 14 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

This guide shows you how to share folders stored in iCloud Drive with other people, letting you collaborate on files in real time. You’ll learn how to send an invitation, control whether others can edit or only view, and manage access after sharing. All you need is an Apple device (iPhone, iPad, or Mac) with iCloud Drive enabled and an Apple ID.

What You’ll Need

An Apple device (iPhone, iPad, or Mac) with iCloud Drive turned on.
An Apple ID signed in on that device.
For collaboration, the people you invite need an Apple ID (they can use a free one) and access to iCloud on their device.
Internet connection to send invitations and sync changes.

Step-by-Step

Open the Files app on your iPhone or iPad, or open Finder on your Mac. On iPhone/iPad, tap the Files app icon (blue folder). On Mac, click the Finder icon in the Dock, then click “iCloud Drive” in the sidebar.
Locate the folder you want to share. It must be inside iCloud Drive, not in “On My iPhone” or local folders. If it’s not there yet, drag it (on Mac) or use “Move” to place it in iCloud Drive first.
Start sharing:
- On iPhone/iPad: Press and hold the folder, then tap “Share” in the menu. Or tap the folder once to select it, then tap the share icon (square with an up arrow) at the bottom.
- On Mac: Right-click the folder, then choose “Share” from the context menu. Or select the folder and click the share button in the Finder toolbar.
Choose “Add People” from the share sheet. This opens the sharing options.
Set permissions: Tap or click “Share Options” to decide:
- Who can access: “Only people you invite” (recommended for privacy) or “Anyone with the link” (anyone who has the link can open it).
- Permission: “Can make changes” (they can edit, add, or delete files) or “View only” (they can only see and download).
After setting, tap “Done” or click “Apply”.
Choose how to send the invitation: You can use AirDrop, Messages, Mail, or copy the link. For Messages or Mail, select the contact and send. If you choose “Copy Link”, you can paste it anywhere (like a chat app).
Send the invitation. The recipient will get a notification or link. Once they accept, the folder appears in their iCloud Drive under “Shared”.
Manage access later: To change permissions or stop sharing, go back to the folder, tap the share icon, and select “Manage Shared Folder”. From there you can remove people, change their permission, or stop sharing entirely.

Common Mistakes

Sharing a folder that isn’t in iCloud Drive: If the folder is stored locally, the share option may be grayed out or won’t work. Move it to iCloud Drive first.
Choosing “Anyone with the link” when you meant private: This makes the folder accessible to anyone who gets the link, even if they don’t have an Apple ID. Use “Only people you invite” for controlled access.
Forgetting to set permissions before sending: If you send the link first, the default is “View only”. You can change it later, but it’s easier to set it upfront.
Removing someone accidentally: When you remove a person from a shared folder, they lose access immediately. There’s no undo, so double-check before removing.

Tips

For real-time collaboration, make sure everyone has iCloud Drive enabled and is signed in with their Apple ID. Changes sync automatically when everyone is online.
Use “View only” for folders you want to share as a reference, like a family photo album. Use “Can make changes” for project folders where everyone needs to add files.
If you share a folder, all files inside are shared. You can’t share just one file from a folder unless you share that file separately.
On Mac, you can also share a folder by dragging it to a new message or email in Mail or Messages, which automatically creates a share link.
If you want to stop sharing but keep the folder, use “Stop Sharing” in the manage options. The folder remains in your iCloud Drive, but others lose access.

Troubleshooting

Recipient can’t open the folder: Make sure they have an Apple ID and are signed into iCloud. If you used “Only people you invite”, they must accept the invitation with the same Apple ID they’re using. If they don’t have an Apple ID, they can create one for free.
Share option is grayed out: This usually means the folder isn’t in iCloud Drive. Move it to iCloud Drive and try again. Also check that you have an internet connection.
Changes aren’t syncing: Both you and the recipient need a stable internet connection. If changes don’t appear, close and reopen the Files app or Finder, or check iCloud status on Apple’s System Status page.
Can’t find the shared folder: On iPhone/iPad, look under “Shared” in the Files app sidebar. On Mac, it appears in iCloud Drive under “Shared”. If it’s not there, ask the owner to resend the invitation.
Link doesn’t work: If you chose “Anyone with the link”, make sure the link is copied correctly. Sometimes email clients break long links; try using Messages or AirDrop instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I share a folder with someone who doesn’t have an Apple device?

Yes, but they’ll need to create a free Apple ID and access iCloud through a web browser (iCloud.com). They can view and edit files, but the experience is limited compared to the native apps.

What happens if I remove someone from a shared folder?

They immediately lose access to the folder and its contents. They won’t be able to see or edit any files, and any local copies they made will remain on their device but won’t sync.

Can I share a folder with a group of people?

Yes, you can send the invitation to multiple people at once, or share the same link with as many as you like. Each person gets their own access, and you can manage them individually.

How do I stop sharing a folder?

Open the folder, tap the share icon, select “Manage Shared Folder”, then tap “Stop Sharing”. This removes access for everyone. The folder remains in your iCloud Drive.

Can I change permissions after sharing?

Yes, go to “Manage Shared Folder” and you can change each person’s permission from “View only” to “Can make changes” and vice versa, or change the overall access level.

Why can’t I share a folder on my Mac?

Make sure the folder is in iCloud Drive, not in “Recents” or a local folder. Also, ensure you’re running a recent version of macOS and that iCloud Drive is enabled in System Settings > Apple ID > iCloud.

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.