If you visit an interesting website, snap a memorable photo, spot an intriguing news story, or listen to a cool podcast episode, you’ve long been able to share it from your iPhone or iPad with other people. However, accessing that shared content has always been a bit of a challenge. For example, if someone sends you an item in a text message, you have to return to the original message and find the link.
The good news: That particular challenge has been eliminated for certain apps, courtesy of iOS 15 and iPadOS 15.
Now when someone shares an item with you, it will also be accessible in its associated app. So, if someone shares a photo with you, it appears in the Photos app. If someone shares a podcast episode with you, it appears in the Podcasts app. This new Shared with You option also supports news, music, TV shows, and websites.
Here’s how to share content with other people and access content shared with you on your iPhone or iPad.
Enable Automatic Sharing
First, update your iPhone or iPad to iOS/iPadOS 15 or higher if you haven’t already done so. Go to Settings > General > Software Update. You’ll be told that iOS is up to date or be prompted to download and install the latest update.
You will then want to enable automatic sharing with the Messages app and choose the apps in which you want to see shared content. Go to Settings > Messages > Shared with You. Turn on the switch next to Automatic Sharing if it’s not already on. Then turn on the switch for each app for which you want to view shared items.
Now that you’re ready to share, let’s go through the process of sharing specific items from different apps and accessing the content shared with you.
Share an Album or Song
Let’s start with Music. Users can share an album, a song, or a playlist from the Music app. Go to your own library or to Apple Music if you’re a subscriber. Pick an album or song you want to share. Tap the ellipsis icon next to it and select Share Album or Share Song. At the Share window, choose the person with whom you want to share the item in a text, or tap Messages and address your text to the person.
Share a TV Show or Movie
For TV or movies, head to the Apple TV app. Select the show or film you wish to share, then tap the Share button and choose a recipient.
Share a Web Page
Open Safari and find a web page you want to share. Tap the Share icon and choose the person with whom you want to share the page.
Share a Photo or Video
Open the Photos app and select any photos or videos you wish to share. Tap the Share icon to send the selection to another person through text message.
Share a Podcast or Episode
You can share a podcast from the Podcasts app. Select a podcast or a specific episode, then tap the ellipsis icon in the upper-right corner. If you wish to share the entire show, select Share Show. To share only one episode, choose Share Episode. From there, share the item with the correct recipient.
Share a News Story
If you find an interesting story in the Apple News app, tap the ellipsis icon in the upper-right corner and choose Share Story. Select the person with whom you want to share the story or select the Messages app and type the person’s name.
Access a Shared Album or Song
Now it’s time to access what has been shared with you. Open the Music app and tap the Listen Now tab. Swipe down until you see the new Shared with You section and any songs or albums that have been shared with you. Tap an item to play it or tap the name of the person who shared the music with you to open your conversation with them in the Messages app.
Access a Shared TV Show or Movie
Open the TV app to view any shows or movies shared with you. Move to the Watch Now screen and find the Shared with You section. Tap a specific movie or TV episode to watch it in the app. Tap the person’s name under the item to respond to their text.
Access a Shared Webpage
If it’s a website or article, open Safari. On your iPhone, tap in the address bar, and a Shared with You section should appear. On an iPad, open the left sidebar and select the Shared with You section. From there, tap any shared link to open the page in the browser. Tap the person’s name to send them a text response.
Access a Shared Photo or Video
For photos and videos, open the Photos app and tap the For You tab. Look for the Shared with You section. Tap a shared photo or video you wish to view. Tap the person’s name to send them a text.
Access a Shared Podcast or Episode
To view a podcast that has been shared with you, open the Podcasts app and tap the Listen Now tab. Look for the Shared with You section, then tap a podcast or individual episode to play it. Tap the person’s name to respond to their text.
Access a Shared News Story
Open the News app to view any news stories that have been shared with you. Tap the Today tab and scroll to the Shared with You section. Tap a shared story to read it. Tap the sender’s name to reply to their text.
Stop Sharing
You can choose to stop sharing with individual contacts. To hide content from a specific person, open your conversation in the Messages app and tap the name at the top. At the pop-up window, turn off the switch next to Show in Shared with You.
Remove Shared Content
You can also remove any content shared with you. Open the app that contains the item you wish to delete. Press down on the item and select Remove from the popup window.
