what is it, how does it work 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 of Apple, which we will talk about at length in this article, makes it very special. Family Sharing, a function that allows us bring together up to 6 people so they can enjoy a series of content together. Active Apple services such as iCloud, Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Fitness+, and Apple Arcade, including purchases on iTunes, Apple Books, App Store and moreare shared in their entirety.

In this case, if you have small members who are not yet adults but who have a devicecan also be part of it. In this article, we will see How it works and how to set up Family Sharing from Apple.

How does Apple Family Sharing work?

There are 6 of them who can benefit from all the advantages mentioned above. One of them will be the organizer is the one whose goal is to invite everyone. The advantage and particularity of this system is that Each member has their own Apple account. You can share subscriptions, purchases, limit device usage, find them via the Find My app and even find a lost device. All Apple offers for music, TV, movies, video games and all purchases will be available in just a few moments.

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

Initial Family Sharing Setup

Family Sharing Storage Plans

Two plans are available for family storage, 200GB for $2.99 per month or 2TB for $9.99 per month.. Choose this detail if most of your members (or you as an 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, as with the individual settings of each subscription, you can renew and extend 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 want to share? Family Sharing gives you equal access to music, albums, movies, TV shows, books, and apps purchased from the App Store. No 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 isn’t suitable for everyone private, you can choose which app, book, movie, etc. to hide from them (especially if they are children).

Providing content to others is easier with Apple Family Sharing

From now on, Any purchase made will be billed and with the organizer’s original payment method. It is recommended to enable the Purchase Request feature for minors active in the group. When the minor tries to purchase content, the organizer can allow or deny the purchase (also for free download).

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

Timeshare and research

It’s special for the minors in the house. The Organizer may review the activity of their children or young parents in terms of visiting websites, their use of their device in terms of applications and general use.. You can enable usage limits on one or more apps. You can also delegate another adult member as a parent or guardian.

On another side, The search app integrates seamlessly with the Family Sharing system. Simply enter the app and send an invitation to other members to agree to share their location. If someone loses their device, any member can help them find it from the same app.

The search app integrates seamlessly with Family Sharing

In a very particular case, If a minor does not own an iPhone, an Apple Watch could be set up exclusively to make phone calls, send messages and share locationThe organizer, parent or guardian can enable Class Mode to prevent the minor from being distracted if he or she is in class.

An exclusive family album

The system creates a shared album in each of the members. They can download whatever content they want, Apple will alert when new content is uploaded. A family calendar is also created where they can check events, add them or generate reminders with the application in question.

Album and calendar shared with family

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 someone else: your partner, your best friend or another family member. To start, define who will be the organizer taking into account the previous points. Once decided, let’s start creating the family group

Set up Family Sharing on iPhone or iPad

1. And one Settings, then tap your name
2. Play as a familyimmediately in Set up your family
3. Follow the on-screen instructions to set up and invite members

Typically, you 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 us, don’t worry, remember that other members can be added later..

Family Share created with 6 members

Set up Family Sharing on macOS

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

In previous versions of macOS Monterey, you will need to confirm the Apple ID you want to use. The Stock Purchases option 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 press the Add Member Button at the top right of your screen
3. Here you can invite one or more members in Invite People. If you are a minor, remember to choose the Create a child account option

Warning to Family Sharing members

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 associated with your Apple account. This can be done via email or SMS. Once you are in the group, you cannot join another one unless they remove you or decide to leave the group. One thing to keep in mind: you can only change family groups once a year.. If you are considering leaving a group for the second time, think twice.

On an iPhone or iPad, check the following:

1. See the application Settings and tap your name
2. Tap on Invitations
3. Accept the invitation by following the instructions
4. Confirm the information and accept the functions you will now enjoy

On Mac, simply enter 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, essential for activating parental controls on an iPhone. Several girls or boys can register, knowing that the group limit is 6 people including the organizer..

1. And one Settings then Family
2. If you are the organizer, tap the Add Member button, then tap Create a child account.
3. Follow the instructions to complete the creation. Here you can set content restrictions, communication limits and your device usage limit. Location criteria can also be set with all group members and the Purchase Request feature.

If the boy or girl has already created their Apple account, choose the Invite other people option by entering the corresponding email and password.

Easily create an Apple ID for a child

Opinion and experience with Family Sharing and Apple One

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

While Apple isn’t following in the footsteps of Netflix and Spotify with shared accounts, Family Sharing is one of the best features you can have. Being able to share locations and purchases is one of the most popular featuresIf at any time you need to purchase content that you want to show other members, you can do so in a snap.

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 a time where we have many subscriptions and we try to save on them, Family Sharing is the option you should try yes or yes.

You can follow iPadized on Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter (X) or check out our Telegram channel to stay up to date with the latest tech news.

This article suggests objective and independent products and services that may be of interest to readers. When the user makes a purchase through the specific links that appear in this news, iPadizate receives a commission. Join the iPadizate offers channel to discover the best offers before everyone else.