Family Sharing has been around since 2014, but in case you haven’t used it in a while or aren’t sure what features have been added, we’ve got a guide for you.
With Family Sharing, up to five family members can use an iCloud+ subscription. Depending on your subscription, you have the option to share 50GB, 200GB, or 2TB of iCloud storage.
What is shared
Family Sharing allows sharing of apps and services, as well as all paid iCloud storage plans. If you want to share paid services from Apple One, they can also be shared.
Apple One bundles a number of premium services into tiered packages. The three levels offered are Individual, Family and Premier.
With the Family tier, family members have access to Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, and iCloud storage.
Common features include Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple News+, Apple Arcade, and Apple Card, among others.
As of March 2023, Family Sharing will support up to 5 members
On Apple One, paid services like Apple News+ and Apple TV are shared among all member accounts.
You can also share iTunes, Apple Books, App Store purchases, an iCloud storage plan, and a family photo album.
For an extra layer of security, Family Sharing allows members to help locate misplaced devices. In addition, there are Ask-to-Buy permissions for child accounts so that unexpected packages don’t get to you.
Parents can also check their child’s screen time reports and set time limits on specific apps – all from their personal phones.
For families with busy schedules, each family member can be looped in for important events using the shared family calendar.
Share family calendars and help members track misplaced devices
There, members can view, add or change events and appointments. All family members will be notified when something changes in the calendar.
What is not shared
Even with a joint subscription, each family member logs in with their own account. Only space and functions are shared.
This means you don’t have to worry about your little brother downloading your old math test for cheating purposes.
While family photo albums can be shared, each family member’s private documents, photos, and information remain accessible solely to the owner.
Requirements
To share with family members, you need iOS 11 or higher. Make sure all family members have updated devices for seamless sharing.
Once set up, note that only a specific family member will have access to pay for the service.
As part of the setup process, the person who creates the group nominates members of the group, who also receive invitations to join. Each member must accept the invitation to join the group and enjoy the benefits of sharing.
Here’s how to set up Family Sharing on your iPhone or iPad
- Go to settings
- Tap yours Surname
- Beat family sharingthen tap Set up your family
- On-screen instructions guide you to get started by inviting your family members
- To share an iCloud+ subscription after Family Sharing is turned on, tap IdeasThen Family
- Beat subscriptions
- Beat iCloud+ and then share your existing plan
- Finally, send a message to the family members to inform them that they can now access the shared iCloud+ plan
Here’s how to set up Family Sharing on your Mac
- Go to Apple menuclick on system settingsand then click Family
- Click set up familyand follow the on-screen instructions.
- To share an iCloud+ subscription after Family Sharing is turned on, click subscriptionsThen iCloud+
- Click share
- Follow the instructions on the screen
Now you and your family can get the most out of Family Sharing with Apple iCloud+.
