To stop sharing an old iCloud link, open the shared item in Files or Photos, open the sharing options, and choose Stop Sharing. It takes a minute per item. From iOS 27.3 Apple checks items shared with Anyone with the link for harmful content, and it has not said whether links made earlier are included, so a quick review is worthwhile.
Why review old links
A link you made last year for a contract, a scan or a photo album still works until you turn it off. Anyone who got the link, or was forwarded it, can open the item. Per Apple's support article, from version 27.3 these items are checked by Apple and are no longer end-to-end encrypted, even with Advanced Data Protection on. The check is described by press as part of child-safety efforts. Reviewing links is ordinary housekeeping, not a way around anything: stopping a share simply closes the door.
Find shared files in iCloud Drive
- Open the Files app and tap iCloud Drive.
- Look for a Shared section or folder, and for files marked with a people icon.
- Press and hold a file, tap Share, then open the sharing details (the wording is Manage Shared File or similar, depending on your version).
- If the access setting is Anyone with the link, either change it to Only people you invite or tap Stop Sharing.
Menu names change between iOS versions. If you cannot find a section called Shared, check the folders where you usually keep documents and look for the people icon.
Find shared photos and albums
- Open Photos and think of the items you shared by link: a single photo or video, or a group from a trip or event.
- Open the item, tap Share, and look for the shared link option (Manage Shared Link if a link already exists).
- Choose Stop Sharing for links you no longer need.
Check your message history too
Links often live in old chats and emails. Search Messages and Mail for icloud.com and note which links you sent. If a link was for a one-time purpose, such as a mortgage form or a passport scan, turn it off.
Replace links with something safer
If you still need to send the file, use a method that is not public:
- Share with People you choose and remove them when finished.
- Remove hidden details before you send. Remove Metadata clears GPS, camera, dates and author from photos, PDFs, video and Office files.
- Lock the file before it goes anywhere.
Put the files into an AES-256 ZIP with Password-Protect ZIP and send the password in a different app. For a single PDF use Password Protect PDF.
The Filevale iPhone app also has a Vault for files you do not want to share at all, and Share privately (Pro) for building an AES-256 ZIP from your phone. Details at Filevale for iPhone. Related reading: iCloud public link vs People you choose and Is an iCloud link private?.
Frequently asked questions
Does stopping sharing delete the file?
No. Stop Sharing closes the link. The original stays in your iCloud Drive or Photos library and you can share it again later.
Will people who already downloaded the file lose it?
No. Stopping a share removes access through the link. Copies already saved by others stay with them, which is another reason to lock sensitive files with a password before sharing.
Does Apple check links I made before 27.3?
Apple has not said. Press coverage notes the same open question, so the safe approach is to review old links and stop the ones you do not need.