iCloud shared folders are , as their name suggests, a series of folders that allow you to add all kinds of documents and files to share with other people. Everyone can have access to them simultaneously, which is very useful for both family matters and in professional or school environments. Below we tell you how you can take advantage of it on iPhone, iPad and Mac.
Necessary requirements
Although this feature does not require any major software or hardware complexity, you should know that it is a feature that, despite being implemented a few years ago, is not available in all software versions. In order to use it natively on your Apple devices, you must have a minimum software version.
For iPhones and iPod touches, shared folders can be accessed through iCloud Drive in the Files app. You will need to have iOS 13.4 and later . The devices that can update to this version and even to the most recent ones are these:
- iPod touch (7th gen.)
- iPhone SE (1st gen.)
- iPhone SE (2nd gen.)
- iPhone 6s / 6s Plus
- iPhone 7 / 7 Plus
- iPhone 8 / 8 Plus
- iPhone X
- iPhone XS / XS Max
- iPhone XR
- iPhone 11
- iPhone 11 Pro / 11 Pro Max
- iPhone 12 / 12 mini
- iPhone 12 Pro / 12 Pro Max
- iPhone 13 / 13 mini
- iPhone 13 Pro / 13 Pro Max
As for iPad, you can also access it from the Files app and you must have the version similar to iOS, which would be iPadOS 13.4 and later . Therefore, the tablets that can access it are:
- iPad (6th gen.)
- iPad (7th gen.)
- iPad (8th gen.)
- iPad (9th gen.)
- iPad Air 2
- iPad Air (3rd gen.)
- iPad Air (4th gen.)
- iPad mini 4
- iPad mini (5th gen.)
- iPad mini (6th gen.)
- iPad Pro (all models)
And in the case of Mac computers, it can be accessed from iCloud Drive, hosted in the Finder. The required software version is macOS Catalina 10.15.4 and later , so only these computers can access it:
- MacBook from 2015 and later.
- MacBook Air from 2012 and later.
- MacBook Pro from 2012 and later.
- Mac mini from 2012 and later.
- Mac Pro from 2013 and later.
- iMac from 2012 and later.
- iMac Pro (2017)
They can even be used on Windows and Android
Something you should know is that, although not natively through a dedicated application, iCloud shared folders are also available on other devices that are not Apple. Of course, it is via the web and this has certain functional limitations, as well as a slower upload and download of files.
You will need to have an Apple ID , though , since in order to access the folders you will have to log in with your account and password on the iCloud website. Once you do, you will see a navigation panel that includes iCloud Drive. It should be noted that you can also access it through the web on Apple devices, but this is somewhat absurd when you have native access from their corresponding applications.
Creating shared folders in iCloud
Now that we’re fully into the task, you should know that shared folders are nothing more and nothing less than normal folders like the ones you probably already have in iCloud. They can be accessed from any of your devices, and you can add all kinds of elements (photos, videos, texts of different formats, compressed files, etc.).
The beauty of this is that you can share them with other people, who will be able to access these folders and manage them in the same way as you. And although it depends on the permissions that we will explain later, you should know that in principle these people will be able to make changes and you will be able to see them yourself. That is, if someone deletes a document, it will be deleted for everyone, since it is a universal folder.
Steps to create and share it
Creating this type of folder is very simple. There are two options: create a new one or add people to an existing folder. Either way, the steps are the same at the end.
On iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch:
- Open the Files app and go to “iCloud Drive.”
- If you want to create a new folder, create it by holding down anywhere and clicking on “New folder” or by clicking on the icon with three dots at the top, where you will find the same “New folder” option.
- Locate the folder you want to share and long-press on it to open its options and choose “Share.”
- Now choose “Share folder in iCloud.”
- Click on the “Sharing options” section to set permissions.
- Who can access: People you invite or anyone who has the link.
- Permissions: Can make changes or read only.
- Option enabled (or not) so that other people can in turn add others if they wish.
- Click “Back” and now choose how you want to send the invitation from the different options given to you.
- Enter the email address or phone number that corresponds to the Apple ID of the person you want to share the folder with.
-
On Mac
- Open Finder and go to “iCloud Drive.”
- If you are creating a new folder, right-click on it with your mouse/trackpad and click “New Folder.”
- Select the folder you want to share and right-click again to open the options, choosing Share > Share Folder.
- At the bottom, in the drop-down options, choose the permissions:
- Who you allow access to: People you invite or anyone who has the link.
- Read/write or read-only permission.
- Permissions for other people to add more members.
- Now choose the method you want to share the folder with above and then click on the “Share” button at the bottom.
