To delete a photo from a shared album in Google Photos, open the album, tap the photo, tap the More button (three dots), and choose Remove from album. On a computer, open the album at photos.google.com, hover over the photo, click the check mark to select it (select several if you like), click the three dots, and choose Remove from album. You can remove photos you added yourself; the album’s owner can remove anyone’s photos. Removing a photo from a shared album doesn’t delete it from anyone’s library.
This guide covers who can remove what, removing several photos at once, deleting photos completely, controlling what others can add, and removing yourself or deleting the whole album.
Who can remove photos from a shared album
| You are | You can remove |
|---|---|
| The album owner | Any photo or video in the album |
| A collaborator | Only photos and videos you added |
| A viewer | Nothing; you can only view (and save copies if allowed) |
Remove a photo on your phone
- Open Google Photos and tap Sharing or Collections > Albums, then open the shared album.
- Tap the photo.
- Tap the More (three dots) button.
- Tap Remove from album and confirm.
Remove several photos at once
- Open the album and tap More > Select, or touch and hold a photo.
- Tap each photo you want to remove.
- Tap More > Remove from album.
On a computer, click the check mark on the first photo, hold Shift and click another to select a range, then choose Remove from album.
Delete a photo completely
Removing it from the album keeps the photo in your library. To delete it everywhere you control:
- Find the photo in your main Photos view.
- Tap Delete (trash can). It moves to Trash for 60 days (backed-up items).
Deleting a photo from your library also removes it from albums you shared it to. It doesn’t remove copies other people have saved to their own libraries.
Control what others can add
As the owner, open the album, tap More > Options (or the share settings), and turn off Collaborate so others can’t add photos. You can also turn off Comments & likes and remove specific people from the members list.
Leave or delete a shared album
- Leave (not the owner) – open the album, tap More > Options > Leave album. Photos you added are removed from the album.
- Delete (owner) – tap More > Delete album. The album disappears for everyone, but photos stay in each person’s library.
Want copies first? Learn how to download shared Google Photos.
Haven’t made an album yet? See how to make a Google Photos album on the web, Android or iPhone.
Troubleshooting
- No Remove from album option – you didn’t add the photo and aren’t the owner. Ask the owner to remove it.
- Photo still appears for others – it may take a moment to sync; ask them to refresh.
- Removed photo reappeared – a partner sharing or live album setting may be re-adding photos automatically. Check the album’s options.
Frequently asked questions
Will the other person be notified when I remove a photo?
No. Google Photos doesn’t send notifications for removed photos.
Can I recover a photo removed from a shared album?
If it’s still in your library, add it back. Removing from an album doesn’t put it in Trash.
Does this work in partner sharing?
Partner sharing works differently; manage it in Photos settings > Sharing > Partner sharing.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.