Sharing photos with grandparents without an account: how does it work?

Grandma and grandpa want to follow along securely, without photos of their grandchild ending up somewhere public. Most apps solve that with an account for every viewer: an email address, a password, a verification email. For grandparents who mostly use their smartphone for WhatsApp, that's often where it stops.

Fortunately, some apps do this differently. They keep the photos private and still let grandparents follow along securely, without having to create an account.

Photo apps are designed for the person uploading

The design revolves around the parent who's sharing. The recipient, whether that's grandma, grandpa or an aunt, is an afterthought. They have to register too, install the app, log in and work out how everything works.

For tech-savvy relatives that's no problem. But every extra step in the sign-up process makes it more likely that grandparents give up before they've seen the first photo.

Apps where grandparents follow along securely without an account

Ouderliefde gives grandparents their own secure link that only your family gets. You send it by WhatsApp, text or email. Grandma or grandpa taps it and sees their grandchild's timeline: photos, milestones and drawings, in date order, without having to download an app or create an account. They can respond with a heart or a short message.

Why the link is safe

A secure link sounds simple, so it's fair to ask how private it really is. These are the safeguards:

• The link contains a long random code. It can't be guessed and isn't found by Google.
• Only your family gets the link. You decide who receives it.
• You can revoke the link at any time, for example if it has ended up with the wrong person.
• Moments you mark as "just for us" are never visible through the link.
• Photos are kept in private storage on European servers.

Famileo solves the same problem a different way. Grandparents receive a weekly printed "newspaper" with photos of the grandchildren, delivered to their letterbox. No screen needed, but there is a subscription fee.

Apps where an account is required

FamilyAlbum. Grandparents have to install the app and create an account. For less tech-savvy grandparents, that's a real hurdle.

Tinybeans. Recipients have to register (for free). After that first step the interface is fairly easy to follow.

Google Photos. Shared albums can sometimes be viewed through a link, but you need a Google account to comment or upload. Whether viewing without an account works depends on the settings.

How to lower the hurdle with an app that does need an account

Sometimes an account can't be avoided. In that case it helps to:

• Create the account yourself on grandma's or grandpa's behalf, using an email address you manage for them
• Install the app on their phone during a family visit and explain it step by step
• Choose an app with a simple interface. Tinybeans is fairly easy to follow for recipients
• Send a first test photo and then give them a quick call to check they've seen it

The calmest route is still a private link that only your family has. It works on any phone, without any explaining.

What grandparents want: to see photos, safely and simply

Grandparents want to see those first steps. That funny drawing. They don't want to miss anything, and parents want those moments to stay within the family. For families where tech skills vary a lot, an app that keeps photos private and also thinks about the person receiving is the logical choice.

Want to read more about sharing photos with family? Have a look at our article on the best apps to send photos to grandparents.