How to Share Files Stored in Your iCloud Drive - MacRumors
Skip to Content

How to Share Files Stored in Your iCloud Drive

by

iCloud AltYou can share files you've synced to iCloud with friends and colleagues who have an Apple ID using the step-by-step guide below. Whether you're sharing from a Mac or an iPhone, you'll be able to give people one-way access to the file, or allow them to modify the document if you're collaborating on a piece of work.

The sharing options you choose automatically sync across your devices, so you could, for example, share a file on Mac and change access permissions on your iPhone or on iCloud.com at a later time. The following steps assume Mac users are running macOS High Sierra or later and that iPhone or iPad owners are on iOS 11 or later.

How to Share iCloud Files From Your Mac

  1. Open a Finder window and locate the file in iCloud that you want to share. It could be in iCloud Drive or another folder that you sync to iCloud, such as Desktop or Documents.
  2. Click the file to highlight it.
  3. Click the Share button and select Add People from the dropdown menu. Alternatively, right-click (or Ctrl-click) the file and select Share -> Add People.
    how to share icloud files on mac01

  4. Choose how you'd like to send your invitation to access the file. In our example, we're sharing a link via email. You can also click the chevron next to Share Options to control who can access the file (Only people you invite / Anyone with the link) and their permissions (Can make changes / View only).

  5. Click Share.
    how to share icloud files on mac02

  6. Depending on how you chose to share the invitation, the relevant app will open containing a link to access the file. In our example, an email compose window appears, ready to add recipients and click Send.
    how to share icloud files on mac03

How to Share iCloud files on iPhone and iPad

  1. Launch the Files app on your iPhone or iPad.
  2. Locate the file in iCloud Drive that you want to share.
    how to share icloud files ios 01

  3. Tap Select in the upper right of the screen.
  4. Tap the file to check it in the selection.
  5. Tap the Share icon in the lower left of the screen.
    how to share icloud files ios

  6. Tap Add People in the second row of the Share Sheet.
  7. Tap the method you'd like to use to send your invitation. You can also optionally tap Share Options to control who can access the file (Only people you invite / Anyone with the link) and their permissions (Can make changes / View only).
  8. Depending on how you chose to share the invitation, the relevant app will open containing a link to access the file, ready for you to share.

How to Change Access Rights to a Shared iCloud File

Changing file sharing permissions via Mac or iOS is easy. Once you've shared an iCloud file, the Add People option you used in the above steps is replaced with a Show People option. Selecting this will display who has access to the file, including an option to Stop Sharing the file completely.

how to share icloud files on mac05
If you're on Mac, click the dotted icon next to a person's name to reveal options to change their permissions or Remove Access. If you're on iPhone or iPad, simply tap a person in the People list to access the same options.

Top Rated Comments

mail4asim Avatar
106 months ago
I tried this when I bought a small business last year but the whole thing about sharing one file at a time wasn't good enough for me. I wanted Folders shared with multiple people, which OneDrive and Google Drive were able to do with a couple of clicks.
On top of this, Apple did not offer personalized email hosting, domain services etc like Google and Microsoft do. Needless to say, I ended up choosing Google. Apple still doesn't offer solutions for small businesses.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
B60boy Avatar
106 months ago
Besides a Folder share option iCloud Drive needs a "selective sync" option that the user controls like Dropbox, Google Drive and OneDrive. I can't believe that Apple does not let the user control what is sync'd to iCloud.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Onexy Avatar
106 months ago
I still always go back to Dropbox and just right click whatever to simply copy a public link.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
timmyh Avatar
106 months ago
Could I do this on a folder and avoid multiplying this step for evvvvvvery file I want to share?
Crazy as it sounds, no, you can't. The method described above currently only works for individual files.

If you still want to use iCloud, you could try sharing a compressed zip containing several files, or creating a sparseimage file using Disk Utility and put files in that for sharing over icloud. If that doesn't work for you, I'd recommend another service.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
106 months ago
I'm a huge Mac geek and own my own two small businesses, both of which use Macs. BUT, because Apple still is eons behind building an up-to-date small business support (which I personally think we will never truly see), things like iCloud Drive is only in place for me to back up my Mac's desktops and some files. As far as file-sharing, my teams us Sync (sync.com) which is very much like Dropbox, but without the high price tag, plus zero-knowledge and end-to-end encryption. As a Mac guy, I have to highly recommend Sync over Google and Dropbox.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Westside guy Avatar
106 months ago
I can’t believe the Apple still doesn’t let you share folders with other people...
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

Apple iCloud Plus expansion hero

iCloud+ Now Includes Apple TV, Apple Arcade, and Curated Apple Music Stations in Over 100 Countries

Tuesday September 15, 2026 1:43 am PDT by
Apple today announced a new subscription initiative that turns paid iCloud+ subscriptions into a broader services bundle in more than 100 countries. In select countries, Apple says every paid iCloud+ plan, including the cheapest 50GB tier, now includes Apple TV and Apple Arcade "at no additional cost," while family sharing extends the storage, TV and Arcade access to up to five people....
General iCloud App Feature

Apple Quietly Triples iCloud Mail Alias Limit to Nine

Monday October 5, 2026 5:15 am PDT by
Apple appears to have quietly tripled the number of iCloud Mail aliases users can create, increasing the limit from three to nine. The increase was first noticed last week by a Reddit user, and picked up shortly after by a member of the MacRumors forums. MacRumors can confirm the change is live at iCloud.com. The increased limit has not been mentioned by Apple, so it could conceivably be a...
macOS 27 next to MacBook Pro Running macOS 27

Apple Announces 'Full Disk Access' Changes on macOS Due to AI Agents

Friday October 2, 2026 12:59 pm PDT by
In a post on its developer news website today, Apple announced that it will be introducing "additional controls" for the "Full Disk Access" setting on macOS due to new risks posed by AI agents. This announcement comes amid the rise of always-on AI agents like Meta's Muse and OpenAI's Dots, which have prompted privacy concerns. "Some developers are using Full Disk Access in ways that could...
Latest Stories
AirPods Max 2 Drop to $429 in All Colors for Prime Day
AirPods Max 2 Drop to $429 in All Colors for Prime Day
5 minutes ago
Apple Quietly Triples iCloud Mail Alias Limit to Nine
Apple Quietly Triples iCloud Mail Alias Limit to Nine
29 minutes ago
Mac Users Reclaim Storage With New Apple Intelligence Removal Tool
Mac Users Reclaim Storage With New Apple Intelligence Removal Tool
2 hours ago
iPhone Duo Makes Focus Modes Easier to Toggle From the Lock Screen
iPhone Duo Makes Focus Modes Easier to Toggle From the Lock Screen
2 hours ago
EU iPhone and iPad Users Could Still Face Months-Long Wait for Siri AI
EU iPhone and iPad Users Could Still Face Months-Long Wait for Siri AI
3 hours ago
Today Marks the 15th Anniversary of Steve Jobs' Death
Today Marks the 15th Anniversary of Steve Jobs' Death
4 hours ago
iPhone 18 Pro's Triple Live Activity Support Comes With a Catch
iPhone 18 Pro's Triple Live Activity Support Comes With a Catch
4 hours ago
Apple's New CEO John Ternus is Making Product Design a 'Major Priority'
Apple's New CEO John Ternus is Making Product Design a 'Major Priority'
10 hours ago
Apple Hiring 'iCup' Specialist
Apple Hiring 'iCup' Specialist
11 hours ago
MacBook Pro With OLED Display Rumored to Be 'Significantly Lighter'
MacBook Pro With OLED Display Rumored to Be 'Significantly Lighter'
11 hours ago
Apple Event Reportedly Planned for October 13
Apple Event Reportedly Planned for October 13
13 hours ago
Amazon Launches Early Prime Day Discounts on AirPods, iPad, MacBook Air, and More
Amazon Launches Early Prime Day Discounts on AirPods, iPad, MacBook Air, and More
21 hours ago
AirPods Pro 3 Hit Record Low $179 Price During Early Prime Day Sale
AirPods Pro 3 Hit Record Low $179 Price During Early Prime Day Sale
21 hours ago
Top Stories: Apple Smart Home Launch on October 13, iPhone Duo Production Issues, and More
Top Stories: Apple Smart Home Launch on October 13, iPhone Duo Production Issues, and More
2 days ago
Apple Says iPhone 18 Pro Max Users With AT&T Cellular Issue Need to Have Device Replaced
Apple Says iPhone 18 Pro Max Users With AT&T Cellular Issue Need to Have Device Replaced
2 days ago
Apple Announces 'Full Disk Access' Changes on macOS Due to AI Agents
Apple Announces 'Full Disk Access' Changes on macOS Due to AI Agents
3 days ago
AT&T and Apple Just Took Steps Toward Fixing iPhone 18 Pro Max Issue
AT&T and Apple Just Took Steps Toward Fixing iPhone 18 Pro Max Issue
3 days ago
AT&T on iPhone 18 Pro Max Issues: 'We Are Working With Apple'
AT&T on iPhone 18 Pro Max Issues: 'We Are Working With Apple'
3 days ago
Upgrading From an Older Apple Watch? Here's How the New Features Stack Up
Upgrading From an Older Apple Watch? Here's How the New Features Stack Up
3 days ago
Beats 360 Cushion Kits and Apple Accessories See Early Prime Day Price Drops
Beats 360 Cushion Kits and Apple Accessories See Early Prime Day Price Drops
3 days ago
Apple Store in UK Reopening on iPhone Duo Launch Day
Apple Store in UK Reopening on iPhone Duo Launch Day
3 days ago
AT&T Acknowledges iPhone 18 Pro Max Issues: Update 'Immediately'
AT&T Acknowledges iPhone 18 Pro Max Issues: Update 'Immediately'
3 days ago
New 'AirFly Drive' Accessory Turns Wired CarPlay Into Wireless CarPlay
New 'AirFly Drive' Accessory Turns Wired CarPlay Into Wireless CarPlay
4 days ago
Apple Shares Photos Shot on iPhone Duo
Apple Shares Photos Shot on iPhone Duo
4 days ago
Apple Says iPhone Duo Has Replaceable 'Cover Layer'
Apple Says iPhone Duo Has Replaceable 'Cover Layer'
4 days ago
Apple's Smart Home Camera Will Apparently Have 'No Video Recording'
Apple's Smart Home Camera Will Apparently Have 'No Video Recording'
4 days ago
Apple TV Just Updated Its Selection of 'Bonus' Movies
Apple TV Just Updated Its Selection of 'Bonus' Movies
4 days ago
iPhone 18 Pro Colors Buyer's Guide: Which Should You Choose?
iPhone 18 Pro Colors Buyer's Guide: Which Should You Choose?
4 days ago
Early Prime Big Deal Days: Best Discounts on Accessories, TVs, and More at Amazon
Early Prime Big Deal Days: Best Discounts on Accessories, TVs, and More at Amazon
4 days ago
MacBook Pro With OLED Touch Screen Rumored to Launch in October or November
MacBook Pro With OLED Touch Screen Rumored to Launch in October or November
4 days ago