Apple Family Sharing: What it is, how it works, and how to set it up

There is nothing better than sharing and much better with family and/or friends, here we teach you everything you need to know about Apple Family Sharing

This detail from Apple, which we will talk about at length in this article, makes it very special. Family Sharing, a function that allows us to Bring together up to 6 people so they can enjoy a series of content together. Apple services you have active such as iCloud, Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Fitness+ and Apple Arcade, including iTunes, Apple Books, App Store purchases and moreare shared in their entirety.

In this case, If you have young members who are not yet of legal age but have a devicecan also be part of this. In this article we will see How Family Sharing Works and How to Set It Up from Apple.

How does Apple Family Sharing work?

There are 6 people who can enjoy all the benefits mentioned above. One of them will be The organizer is the one who has the objective of inviting everyone.The advantage and particularity of this system is that Each member has their own Apple account. Can share subscriptions, purchases, limit device usage, find devices using the Find My app, and even find a lost device. Apple’s entire offering of music, television, movies, video games and all purchases will be available in moments.

A fundamental part of this is that Each member’s environment is private. When you share a storage plan, Apple Music plan, or Apple TV+ plan, likes, selections, Favorites and files are not visible to anyone.

Initial Setup for Family Sharing

Family Sharing Storage Plans

There are two plans available for family storage, 200 GB for 2.99 euros per month or 2 TB for 9.99 euros per month.. Choose this option if most of your members (or you as the organizer) need iCloud storage. Remember that you can store whatever you want: photos, videos, documents, files of different extensions, etc. One of the advantages is that, just like in the individual settings of each subscription, you can renew and increase the space if you start from 200 GB.

Family shopping: all for one and one for all

Do you have a special book, movie, or app you’d like to share? Family Sharing allows equal access to music, albums, movies, TV shows, books, and apps purchased from the App StoreNo matter when or how, purchases appear in each group member’s Purchased section, whether in iTunes, the App Store, or Apple Books. To keep some content that is not for everyone private, you can choose which app, book, movie, etc. to hide from them. (especially if they are children).

Sharing content with others is easier with Apple Family Sharing

Henceforth, Any purchase made will be billed using the organizer’s original payment method.It is recommended that you activate the Request to Buy feature for minors who are active in the group. When the minor attempts to purchase content, the organizer can authorize or reject the purchase (including free downloads).

Younger family members ask the organizer for permission to purchase or download content

Timeshare and Search

This is especially for the little ones in the house. The organizer can review the activity of their children or young family members in terms of visiting websites, the use they give to their device in relation to apps and the use in general.You can activate usage limits for one or more apps. You can also delegate to another adult member as a parent or guardian.

On the other hand, The Find My app integrates seamlessly into the Family Sharing systemSimply log into the app and send an invitation for other members to agree to share their locations. If someone loses their device, any member can help find it from the same app.

The Find My app integrates seamlessly into Family Sharing

In a very special case, If a minor does not have an iPhone, an Apple Watch could be configured exclusively to make phone calls, send messages and share their location.. The organizer, parent or guardian can activate Classroom mode to prevent the minor from being distracted if he or she is in a school class.

An exclusive family album

The system creates a shared album for each member.. You can upload whatever content you want, Apple will alert you when new content is uploaded. A family calendar is also created. where they can check events, add them or generate Reminders with the app in question.

Shared family album and calendar

How to set up Family Sharing

It doesn’t matter that you don’t have 5 other members to complete the Family Sharing group. You can start with another person: your partner, your best friend or another family member. To start, define who will be the organizer taking into account the points above. Once decided, let’s start creating the family group

Set up Family Sharing on iPhone or iPad

1. Go to Settings and then tap your name
2. Play with Familyimmediately in Setting up your family
3. Follow the on-screen instructions to set up and invite members.

Typically, you’ll tap Start Sharing after reading the introduction. Then tap Invite Family Members. Here you can invite one or more family members via iMessage, AirDrop, or Mail. If only one person joins, don’t worry, remember that more members can join later..

Family Sharing created with 6 members

Set up Family Sharing on macOS

1. Go to System Settings and then click on your name
2. Tap Family Sharing in Settings
3. Just like on iPhone and iPad, follow the on-screen instructions.

In versions older than macOS Monterey, you’ll need to confirm the Apple ID you want to use. Purchase Sharing must be selected.

Invite people to complete the group

If you want to increase the number of Family Sharing members, remember that You can invite them via Messages, Mail or also in person if they are with you..

1. Go to Settings and tap Family
2. Then tap on the Add Member Button at the top right of your screen
3. Here you can invite one or more members in Invite people. If it is a minor, remember to choose the option Create an account for children

Family Sharing Members Warning

Join a family group

If you are the member who wants to be part of a family group on Apple, you must accept (or decline) the invitation from a device that is associated with your Apple account. This can be done via email or text message. Once you are part of a group you cannot join another group unless you are removed or decide to leave the group. A fact to take into account: you can change family group only once during a year.If you are thinking of leaving a group for the second time, think twice.

On an iPhone or iPad check the following points

1. Go to the app Settings and tap your name
2. Tap on Invitations
3. Accept the invitation following the instructions
4. Confirm the information and accept the functions that you will enjoy from now on

On a Mac, simply go to Family in System Settings.

Create an Apple account for a minor

Finally, let’s see how to create an Apple account for the youngest member of the family, which is essential for activating parental controls on an iPhone. Several girls or boys can join, taking into account that the group limit is 6 people including the organizer..

1. Go to Settings and then Family
2. If you are the organizer tap on the Add member button and then on Create child account.
3. Follow the instructions to complete the creation. Content restrictions, communication limits, and device usage limits can be defined here. Location criteria with all group members and the Request to Buy feature can also be defined.

If the child has already created an Apple account, it is a matter of choosing the option to Invite other people by entering the corresponding email and password.

Create an Apple ID for a child easily

Opinion and experience with Family Sharing and Apple One

I have been sharing this with my family for several years. If you are thinking about activating this feature, the best way to do it is by having an Apple One subscription. according to the organizer’s needs. In my case, I have an Apple One subscription with Apple Music, Apple Arcade, Apple TV, and 200 GB of iCloud.

While Apple may not follow in the footsteps of Netflix and Spotify with shared accounts, Family Sharing is one of the best features you can get. The ability to share locations and purchases are among the most valued featuresif at any time you had to acquire content that you want to show to other members, you can do so in the blink of an eye.

You can also purchase your Apple service subscriptions in a single monthly payment with Apple One

What’s more amazing is that each member keeps their service preferences. Apple makes it so private and it’s wonderful. In an era where we have a lot of subscriptions and try to save on them, Family Sharing is the option you must try yes or yes.

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