What Family Sharing does with apps

Family Sharing lets you share apps you have bought with up to five other family members on their own devices. When you set it up, apps you own appear in a shared library that other family members can read and install without paying again. The person who bought the app stays the owner — family members can use it, but they cannot modify it or share it further.

This works across iPhones, iPads, and Mac computers within the same family group. Android does not have an equivalent built-in feature, though Google Play does let you share apps with a limited number of people through a different method. The setup happens in your device settings, and once it is running, family members see your purchased apps in their own App Store without needing your password.

Key Takeaways

  • Family Sharing on Apple devices lets you share purchased apps with up to five family members, who can read them to their own devices at no cost.
  • You set up Family Sharing through Settings on your primary device, then invite family members by their Apple ID email address.
  • Family members see shared apps in their own App Store under the Purchased tab and can install them without your involvement.
  • You can remove a family member or stop sharing a specific app at any time through your Family Sharing settings.
  • Apps shared through Family Sharing work only on the device type they were purchased for — an iPad app does not automatically appear on an iPhone.

Setting up Family Sharing on iPhone or iPad

Open Settings and tap your name at the top. Scroll down and tap Family Sharing. If you see "Set Up Family Sharing," tap it. If Family Sharing is already active, you will see the names of people already in your group.

To start a new family group, tap get your free guide or Create a Family Group. You will be asked to confirm your payment method — this is the card that will be charged if anyone in the family buys something, so make sure it is the one you want. Tap Continue and follow the prompts to agree to the Family Sharing terms.

Once the group is created, you will see an option to Add Family Member. Tap it and enter the Apple ID email address of the person you want to invite. They will receive a notification on their device asking them to join. Once they accept, they are part of your family group and can see your purchased apps.

Setting up Family Sharing on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Settings (or System Preferences on older macOS versions). Click Family Sharing in the sidebar. If you see "Set Up Family Sharing," click it and follow the same steps as on iPhone — confirm your payment method and agree to the terms.

To add family members, click the + button at the bottom of the Family Sharing window. Enter their Apple ID email address and send the invitation. They will see a notification on their Mac and can accept from their own System Settings.

How family members read shared apps

Once someone joins your family group, they open the App Store on their device. They tap or click the Purchased tab at the bottom (iPhone/iPad) or in the sidebar (Mac). They will see two sections: "My Purchases" and "Family Purchases." Your shared apps appear under "Family Purchases" with a cloud icon next to them.

They tap or click the cloud icon to read the app to their device. The app installs just like any other app they downloaded themselves. They can use it, delete it, and reinstall it whenever they want — they just cannot modify it or share it with anyone outside the family group.

If an app you shared has an update, family members will see it in their Updates tab and can install the new version the same way. Updates are free and do not require your permission.

Controlling which apps you share

By default, all apps you buy are shared with your family group. If you want to stop sharing a specific app, go to Settings (iPhone/iPad) or System Settings (Mac) and tap or click your name. Open Family Sharing, then tap or click Family Library.

You will see a list of all your purchased apps. Find the one you want to stop sharing, tap or click it, and toggle off Share with Family. Family members who already have the app can keep using it, but they will not be able to reinstall it if they delete it, and new family members will not see it in their Purchased tab.

Apps you buy after you turn off sharing for a specific app will not be shared unless you turn the setting back on. This setting applies to that app only — other apps you own remain shared.

Removing a family member

Open Settings or System Settings, tap or click your name, then Family Sharing. You will see a list of family members. Tap or click the person you want to remove, then tap or click Remove from Family. Confirm the action.

When you remove someone, they lose access to all shared apps when ready. Apps they have already downloaded stay on their device and continue to work, but they cannot update them or reinstall them if they delete them. They also stop seeing your shared apps in their Purchased tab.

The person you remove will receive a notification that they have been removed from the family group. They can still use their own Apple ID and buy their own apps — they just will not see yours anymore.

What does not get shared

Family Sharing shares purchased apps, but not subscriptions to services like Apple Music, Apple TV+, or iCloud+ storage. Those require a separate family plan purchase. Books, movies, and music you buy also do not share through the app library — you would need to set up a separate shared media library for those.

Apps you downloaded for free are not shared either, because there is nothing to share — family members can read free apps themselves from the App Store. In-app purchases (like coins in a game or extra features in a utility app) also do not transfer between family members, even if they share the base app.

If you have an app that is no longer available in the App Store, family members cannot read it even if you own it. Discontinued apps can be used by people who already have them, but new family members will not see them in their Purchased tab.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I share apps between iPhone and iPad?

Yes, if the app is available on both platforms. An app you bought for iPhone will appear in the Purchased section on a family member's iPad if it has an iPad version. However, an app designed only for iPhone will not show up on an iPad, even in Family Sharing. Check the App Store to see which devices an app supports before assuming it will be available everywhere.

What happens if I buy an app and then the family member already bought it?

They keep their own copy and can continue using it. Family Sharing does not refund purchases or consolidate duplicate apps. If you want to avoid this, check the Purchased tab before buying an app to see if someone in your family already owns it.

Can family members see what apps I have?

They can see the apps you have shared with them in the Family Purchases section. They cannot see your entire library or any apps you have chosen not to share. Your personal app collection remains private unless you specifically share it.

Do shared apps work offline?

Yes, once an app is downloaded and installed on a family member's device, it works offline just like any other app. However, they need an internet connection to first read the app and to install updates.

Can I share apps on Android?

Android does not have a built-in Family Sharing feature for apps like Apple does. Google Play does offer a way to share apps with a limited number of people through Google Play's family library, but the setup and limitations are different. Check your device's app store for the current sharing options available to you.