Apple Invites has been updated with full-resolution photo sharing in Shared Albums, so event photos no longer get compressed inside the app. Version 1.12.0 went live in the App Store on September 30, 2026. The change applies to everyone contributing to an event’s album, including guests who do not own an Apple device.
That last detail is what makes this worth noting beyond iPhone owners. Anyone who gets an event link can RSVP for free on any device, Android included. Apple’s release notes for version 1.12.0 describe the album change this way:
Shared Albums now support full-resolution sharing, so you can relive every moment in stunning detail right in the app. Anyone, including users without an Apple device, can join and contribute.
What Else Is New in Apple Invites
- Photorealistic backgrounds — Image Playground inside the app can now generate photorealistic invite backgrounds, on top of the stylized looks it already offered.
- Easier email verification — a guest who needs to verify an email address can tap a link sent to their inbox instead of typing in a code.
- Maintenance — Apple also lists general bug fixes and performance improvements.
Who Can Use It, and What It Costs
Apple launched Invites in February 2025. Creating an event in the app requires an iCloud+ plan with at least 50GB of storage. That tier is priced at $0.99 per month in the US. Receiving an invite and responding to it cost nothing, and need no subscription or Apple hardware.
Compressed photos were an odd limitation for an event app with a built-in shared album. Lifting it is a small fix. It also removes one reason to dump an event’s photo pile into a group chat or a third-party album instead.
Source: Apple App Store listing, via MacRumors
