How to Use iCloud Photo Library in iOS 8.1

iOS 8.1 introduces us to the all new iCloud Photo Library.  This exciting new feature leverages iCloud as a mechanism to store, save, and share photo’s with your friends.  iCloud Photo Library builds on the prior Photo Stream features while allowing you much more flexibility.

To setup iCloud Photo Library:

1.  Tap Settings.

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2.  Scroll Down to and Tap on iCloud.

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3.  Tap on Photos.

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4. You now have 4 options here:

  • iCloud Photo Library (Beta) – This option will upload all of your photo’s automatically to iCloud.
  • My Photo Stream – This will upload new photos only to iCloud and causes your iCloud devices (iOS, OSX and Windows with iCloud software installed) to download any new pictures over wifi.
  • Upload Burst Photos – The iPhone 5S introduced Burst Mode where it would take 10 photo’s a second if you held the shutter.  This option in iCloud Photo Library will upload just those photo’s taken in Burst Mode.
  • iCloud Photo Sharing – This is the most granular option as you can decide what photo’s get sent to iCloud and who you share them with.  It also allows the people you share albums with to upload their pictures if you let them.

Select the options you want.  I went with iCloud Photo Sharing by tapping on the switch to turn it on.

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5.  Go into the Photo App.  On the bottom you should now see a tab that says “Shared”.  Tap on that.  Then Tap on Tap Start Sharing

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6. You’ll be asked to create a name for the album, type one in and Tap on next.

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7.  You can set who from your contacts you want to share the album with by typing their name in or clicking on the plus.  Once you’ve set who you want to share photo’s with Tap Create.

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8.You’ll now see in the libraries activity feed that you created an album.  Now tap on Add Photos or Videos… to add some pictures.

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9.  Tap on the photo’s you want to add then Tap Done.

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Your now all set to begin using iCloud Photo Library.  Comment below and let us know the craziest photo you’ve accidentally shared!

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