Apple Family Sharing: Share Apps, Music & Videos - iPhone/iPad

Apple Family Sharing: A Comprehensive Guide

Previously, synchronizing app, book, music, and video acquisitions across multiple iOS devices necessitated logging into each one using the identical Apple ID. This method presented security concerns and was generally inconvenient for users.

The introduction of Apple Family Sharing provides a streamlined and secure alternative, enabling effortless sharing of purchases among family members.

Setting Up Apple Family Sharing

This system simplifies the process of distributing digital content within a household. It allows up to six family members to share purchases without sharing Apple IDs.

The following steps will guide you through the configuration process and demonstrate how to benefit from secure media and application distribution across your various devices.

Benefits of Using Family Sharing

• Simplified Sharing: Eliminate the need for a single Apple ID across multiple devices.
• Enhanced Security: Each family member maintains their individual Apple ID, bolstering account security.
• Purchase Sharing: Easily share apps, books, music, and videos purchased on the App Store, iTunes Store, and Apple Books.
• Apple TV+ and Apple Arcade: Subscriptions to these services can be shared with family members.
• iCloud Storage: Family members can share iCloud storage if needed.

Apple Family Sharing represents a significant improvement in how families manage and enjoy digital content within the Apple ecosystem.

By following the setup instructions, you can unlock a more convenient and secure way to share your favorite apps and media with those you trust.

The Benefits of Apple Family Sharing

For households where only one person utilizes iOS devices, the standard Apple system functions effectively. Simply signing into your Apple account on each device automatically shares all purchases from the App Store, iTunes, and iBooks.

However, sharing purchases among multiple family members previously presented challenges. The traditional method involved authorizing each device under a single, central Apple account.

Previous Sharing Limitations

This approach meant that every device intended for shared access – for instance, allowing family members to enjoy games like Ticket to Ride or Carcassonne – was configured as a secondary device linked to the primary account holder.

It was necessary to disable automatic downloads to prevent unwanted purchases, like a horror movie ending up on a child’s device. Additionally, each device required a separate Apple ID to maintain privacy for personal data such as contacts and email.

This system was cumbersome, as granting purchase permissions meant providing full account access. Controlling spending, such as allowing a spouse and older child to make purchases while restricting a younger child, proved difficult. Furthermore, age and content restrictions were unavailable, as each user was treated as the primary account holder.

While functional, this method was far from ideal and often required workarounds to avoid redundant app purchases.

How Apple Family Sharing Improves the Experience

The introduction of Apple Family Sharing significantly streamlined the process, transforming a complex system into a highly efficient one. This system allows you to easily invite family members to share purchases from your primary account without granting them full account access.

Reciprocal sharing of purchases is also enabled, and you can authorize family members to make purchases independently or require parental approval for all transactions.

Beyond App Store, iTunes, and iBook purchases, Family Sharing offers additional features like shared photo albums, calendars, location tracking, and device recovery tools, all managed through a centralized dashboard.

• Purchase Sharing: Easily share apps, music, and books.
• Purchase Approval: Control family member spending.
• Shared Calendars & Photos: Stay connected and organized.
• Location Services: Keep track of family members.
• Device Tracking: Enhance security and recovery options.

Family Sharing provides a comprehensive solution for managing shared digital content and family connectivity within the Apple ecosystem.

Essential Requirements for Family Sharing

To effectively utilize this guide, a minimum of two iOS devices is required, each operating on iOS 8 or a later version. Regrettably, this excludes older devices such as the original iPad, the iPhone 4 and earlier models, and iPod Touch devices of the 4th generation or older.

Although these excluded models are considerably dated, they are often passed down to younger family members. Consequently, their inability to support the Family Sharing functionality is somewhat unfortunate.

Related: A Guide to Efficiently Organizing iPhone and iPad Apps Using iTunes

Beyond the hardware and operating system prerequisites, a primary Apple account with a valid, authorized credit card is necessary. This account will function as the central hub for the Family Sharing group. Furthermore, a distinct Apple ID must be established for each individual within your household.

Existing Apple IDs can be used without issue. Apple now accommodates Apple ID creation for children under 13, specifically for features like Family Sharing, so age is no longer a barrier.

After verifying that all intended devices meet the iOS 8 compatibility requirement (and have been updated accordingly), you’ll need the primary account holder’s Apple ID and login credentials. You will also need the Apple IDs of up to five additional family members you wish to include in your Family Sharing plan.

While having all devices present during setup isn't mandatory, it's beneficial for confirming the process and ensuring successful implementation.

Setting Up Apple Family Sharing

The process of configuring Apple Family Sharing involves two key phases: the primary setup performed on the organizer’s iOS device, followed by verification steps on each device included within the Family Sharing arrangement.

It’s important to note that content sharing within Family Sharing is reciprocal. The organizer shares apps and music with family members, and in return, those family members share their content as well. This creates a streamlined method for consolidating the digital libraries of multiple Apple IDs, particularly useful for couples with established purchase histories.

Let's begin by examining how to launch the setup process on the organizer’s device, activating Family Sharing and adding both a Parent/Guardian account and a child account.

Initiating Family Sharing on the Organizer’s Device

The initial steps are completed by the designated organizer of the Family Sharing group. This individual will be responsible for managing the plan and inviting family members.

First, navigate to the Settings app on your iOS device. Then, tap on your name at the very top of the screen. From there, select the option labeled “Family Sharing.”

Adding Family Members

Once inside the Family Sharing settings, you’ll be prompted to turn Family Sharing on. Follow the on-screen instructions to begin.

You can then add family members by tapping “Add Family Member.” You’ll have the option to invite them via iCloud email address or phone number.

When adding a Parent/Guardian, ensure they also have an Apple ID. For children, you’ll need to create a child account if they don’t already have one.

Confirming Membership on Other Devices

After receiving an invitation, each family member must confirm their participation on their own devices. This ensures that Family Sharing is properly activated across all accounts.

To confirm, the invited family member will receive an email or iMessage with a link to join the Family Sharing group. Clicking this link will initiate the confirmation process.

Once confirmed, the family member’s devices will begin synchronizing shared content, including purchased apps, music, movies, and books. This synchronization may take some time depending on the size of the libraries involved.

Initiating Family Sharing and Adding Family Members

Upon initial access to the App Store, iTunes, or iBook following device setup or an iOS 8 upgrade, you will receive a prompt to configure Family Sharing. Should you postpone this setup by selecting "Not Now," you can subsequently access the Family Sharing settings through the Settings menu.

Locate the Family Sharing menu by navigating to Settings -> iCloud -> Set Up Family Sharing, then tap the final option to begin the configuration process.

The setup will require a series of confirmations, including designating yourself as the family organizer and acknowledging responsibility for family purchases. You will also be asked to confirm the credit card associated with your Apple account.

Beyond purchase-related settings, you’ll also have the option to enable or disable the location-sharing functionality.

After accepting these settings, you will be directed to the Family Sharing dashboard. This dashboard can be revisited at any time through Settings -> iCloud -> Family settings.

With the initial setup complete, you can now add adult accounts and designate parent or guardian status. Select "Add Family Member" from the Family Members list.

You will then be asked to input the family member’s name or email address, utilizing their Apple ID email for this purpose.

Next, choose whether the new member should enter a password or receive an invitation to activate Family Sharing. A password isn't typically necessary if the individual is nearby, so tap "Send an Invitation" to connect their account.

The newly added family member will appear in the Family Sharing dashboard. To grant them the ability to approve purchases made by children on the account, tap their name and toggle the "Parent/Guardian" switch to the on position.

Remember, this toggle doesn't affect the adult’s own purchasing capabilities; it solely controls their authorization of children’s requests.

Adding further members follows the same process, though specific steps are required for children under thirteen. (If you previously created an account for your child, refer to the final section for instructions on converting it to a child account within Family Sharing.)

A primary requirement for adding a child is having a credit card as your primary payment method on your Apple account. While debit cards may work for your own purchases, a credit card is requested when authorizing a child’s account to verify adult status.

This requirement can seem unnecessary for long-standing Apple IDs.

Instead of selecting "Add Family Member," look for the "Create an Apple ID for a child" link at the bottom of the screen. This initiates the creation of a new Apple ID, requiring a password, security questions, and other standard setup details.

The final step involves specifying whether the child needs permission to make purchases, with all requests subject to approval by an authorized parent or guardian.

Similar to adults, children have an "Ask To Buy" toggle, allowing you to control whether they can purchase age-appropriate content (as determined by Apple’s rating system) or require approval for all purchases.

After adding all family members, explore how the system functions from their perspective.

Understanding Family Share from a User's Perspective

From the viewpoint of those invited to participate, rather than the plan's creator, the experience of Family Sharing unfolds differently. Let's examine how it appears for spouses and children within the shared plan.

Upon being added to a Family Sharing plan, users receive a notification indicating their invitation. Alternatively, if a password was established for the plan, they will be prompted to enter it.

Initially, acceptance of the invitation doesn't seem to produce any visible changes. Accessing shared content requires navigating to the purchase history section within each respective application – the App Store, iTunes, or iBooks.

For instance, to locate shared applications, the App Store application must be opened. Then, the "Update" icon located in the bottom navigation bar should be selected.

Following this, selecting the "Purchased" option reveals not only the user’s own purchase history, but also the purchase records of all members participating in the Family Sharing plan.

This allows secondary users to view content acquired by the Family Plan organizer. Conversely, the organizer can see purchases made by other family members within the plan. This process can be replicated within iTunes and iBooks to view the purchase lists of all family members.

Important Considerations Regarding Family Sharing

While we are generally very positive about the Family Sharing system – appreciating its unification of sharing features and family location services – certain aspects require clarification. Understanding these nuances will prevent potential issues and ensure a smooth experience.

A key point to emphasize, as it can be initially confusing, is the ownership of purchases. Even when made with the Family Sharing organizer’s payment method, all purchases are permanently associated with the Apple ID of the user who initiated them.

For example, if your child purchases several seasons of a science fiction series that you both enjoy, despite you covering the cost, the content is linked to their account. Consequently, if they eventually leave the household and the Family Sharing plan, you will lose access to that TV show.

This arrangement may be acceptable in some cases, particularly if your child buys media you aren’t interested in retaining or if you wish for them to own the content outright. However, for content you intend to keep, the organizer must make the purchase directly, rather than a child or another adult within the Family Sharing plan.

It’s crucial to discuss these implications with your family. The individual who clicks the purchase button is legally considered the owner, regardless of who provides the payment.

Many users have already established Apple IDs for their children prior to the introduction of Family Sharing. Unfortunately, there is no official method to convert an existing "adult" account – any account created before Family Sharing – into a "child" account.

However, a workaround exists. You can modify the birthdate on your child’s account to indicate they are 13 years old, the minimum age permitted for creating an Apple ID. Then, add them to Family Sharing. This will enable purchase-approval options and treat the account as a child account.

Benefits of Family Sharing

Despite these caveats, we are very encouraged by the progress of Family Sharing. It significantly simplifies content sharing across devices within a family compared to the previous method of managing multiple Apple IDs.

The system offers centralized purchasing through the organizer’s card, allows each family member to select desired content from the shared library, and provides parents with convenient purchase approval controls.