How to share iCloud files with your contacts

iCloud has become a very useful and popular service for all iOS and macOS users. Although there is still a long road ahead of improvements, the arrival of the Files app with iOS 11 gave it a big boost, making it easier to store and synchronize all our files (images, documents, videos…). However, it is also possible to share files that you have synchronized with iCloud with your friends, coworkers or studies and family, as long as they are also using an Apple ID. Whether you are on an iPhone or iPad or from a Mac, you can give viewing or editing access to your contacts. To do it, you just have to follow the steps that I show you below.

ICloud file sharing

Whether you want to share files from a Mac or from an iOS device, you can grant both one-way access to the file, or allow them to modify the document, something very useful when we talk about collaborative or team work.

The sharing options you choose are automatically synced across all your devices, so you could, for example, share a file from your Mac and change access permissions on iPhone, iPad, or iCloud.com later.

The following instructions are intended for users who have a Mac with macOS High Sierra or later, and whose iPhone or iPad works on iOS 11 or later.

How to share iCloud files from your Mac

• Open a Finder window and find the iCloud file you want to share. It could be in iCloud Drive or in another folder, as long as it can be synchronized with iCloud, for example, the Desktop or the Documents folder. Click on the file to highlight it. Right-click and click Share and select Add people in the dropdown menu.

• Now choose how you want to send the invitation to access the file. You can do this by sharing a link via email, Messages, AirDrop or through third-party apps like Telegram. You can also control who can access the file (Only people you invite / Anyone with the link) and their permissions (Read only / Read and write).

  Click on Share.

Depending on the chosen method, the corresponding application will open with the link to access the file ready to share. In this example, an email compose window opens, ready to add recipients and click Submit.

How to share iCloud files from your iPhone and iPad

• Open the Files app on your iPhone or iPad. Find the file you want to share on iCloud Drive. Tap Select at the top right of the screen.

  

  Select the file in question, tap the Share icon at the bottom left of the screen.

  

• Select Add people in the second row of the Share sheet.

  

  Tap the method you want to use to send the invitation. Optionally, you can also control who can access the file, from the bottom of the screen (Only people you invite / Anyone with the link) and their permissions (Read only / Read and write).

  

  Depending on how you chose to share the invitation, the corresponding application will open with a link to access the file, ready to share. In this case, an email is started ready to add recipients, additional text and Send.

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 option to add people you used in the previous steps is replaced by another option that shows the people you share that file with. Click on it and you will see who has access to the file, including an option to stop sharing the entire file.

If you're on a Mac, click the dots icon next to a person's name to display options and change their permissions or withdraw access. If you're on your iPhone or iPad, simply touch a person in the people list to access the same options.