How to Share Family Photos with Grandchildren on FaceTime

FaceTime is the free video call app made by Apple for iPhone and iPad. It lets you see and hear a family member who is far away, in real time. Many grandparents already use FaceTime for short hellos, but few know about a feature called SharePlay that lets you show photos to your grandchildren while you talk. With SharePlay, the photo fills both screens at once. You can swipe through old wedding pictures, vacation pictures, or baby pictures together, just as if you were sitting on the same couch.

This matters for two reasons. First, grandchildren love stories about the past. But they often need a picture to hold their attention. A black and white photo of you at age six brings the story to life in a way that words cannot. Second, sharing photos this way creates a real visit, not a quick check-in. Twenty minutes of pictures and stories feels longer and warmer than twenty minutes of "How is school?" SharePlay also works on iPad, where the bigger screen is helpful for older eyes.

Before you start, both you and your grandchild need to be on Apple devices. SharePlay works on iPhone and iPad, not on Android phones or Windows computers. If your grandchild has an Android phone, you can still share photos by sending them one at a time in the Messages app, or by using a different app like Google Duo or WhatsApp video calls with screen share.

Make sure both phones run iOS 18 (the 2026 current release) or newer, though iOS 17 also works. Most phones from the last five years already do. To check, open Settings, tap General, then About, and look at the Software Version line. If you see iOS 15 or higher, you are ready. If not, ask a family member to help update your phone first.

A quiet room and good Wi-Fi help the call run smoothly. Sit near your router or use a tablet that is plugged in to charge. Have your photos ready in the Photos app before you call. Make a small album called "For Grandkids" and drop your favorite ten or twenty pictures into it. That way you do not have to scroll through everything during the call.