Family Sharing lets you share purchased apps across devices without buying them multiple times

Family Sharing is a feature on Apple and Android devices that lets multiple people in your household use apps you've bought, without each person needing their own copy. On Apple devices, one person buys an app once, and up to five other family members can read and use it on their own devices. On Android, the process works differently — you share access to your Google Play account, or use Google Play's family library feature to let family members install apps you've purchased.

The main benefit is cost: instead of buying the same app six times for six family members, you buy it once. The catch is that some apps have restrictions on how many people can use them at the same time, and you need to set up a family group first.

Key Takeaways

  • On Apple devices, set up Family Sharing through Settings, then family members can read your purchased apps on their own devices without needing your password.
  • On Android, use Google Play's family library feature to share apps, or add family members to your Google account with restricted permissions.
  • Some apps, especially games and subscriptions, may not allow sharing or may limit how many people can use them at once.
  • The person who bought the app remains the owner, and removing them from the family group can prevent others from using shared apps.
  • Shared apps update automatically on all devices, so you don't have to manage updates separately for each person.

How to set up Family Sharing on Apple devices

On an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, go to Settings, tap your name at the top, then tap Family Sharing. Tap "Create a Family" or "Add Family Member" if the group already exists. You'll need an Apple ID for each person you want to add — they can use their own Apple ID, or you can create one for a child. Each family member needs to accept the invitation before they're added to the group.

Once the family is set up, go to the App Store, find an app you've already bought, and tap the cloud icon to read it. Family members can do the same on their own devices — they'll see your purchased apps in their App Store under the Purchased tab, and they can read them without paying again. The app will appear on their home screen just like any other app they've installed.

How to share apps on Android devices

Android doesn't have a single "Family Sharing" feature like Apple does. Instead, you can use Google Play's family library. Open Google Play, tap your profile icon, go to Settings, then Family, and tap "Create a family group." Add up to five other family members by their email address. Each person needs a Google account, and they'll receive an invitation to join.

Once they accept, they can see your purchased apps in their Google Play library. They can read and install them on their own devices. Unlike Apple, you're not sharing your account — each person keeps their own Google account and their own app library, but they can access apps you've bought through the family library feature.

Apps that can't be shared and why

Some apps have licensing restrictions that prevent sharing. Games with in-app purchases, subscription apps like Netflix or Spotify, and apps tied to a single account often don't allow sharing. The app developer decides whether sharing is allowed, not the device manufacturer.

If an app can't be shared, you'll see a message saying so when you try to share it. In those cases, each person who wants to use the app will need to buy their own copy. Check the app's description in the App Store or Google Play to see if it mentions sharing restrictions.

What happens when someone leaves the family group

If you remove someone from your family group, or if they leave on their own, they lose access to shared apps when ready. The apps will still be on their device, but they won't be able to open them. If they want to keep using those apps, they'll need to buy their own copies.

If the person who bought the app leaves the family group, everyone else in the group loses access to that app. This is why it matters who in the family is the primary account holder — if that person's account is removed, shared apps stop working for everyone.

Managing shared apps and updates

Shared apps update automatically on everyone's device, just like apps they bought themselves. You don't need to do anything — the updates happen in the background. If someone doesn't want an app to update automatically, they can turn off auto-updates in their device settings, though this is rare.

If you want to stop sharing a specific app, you can hide it from your family's view. On Apple, go to Settings, Family Sharing, Apps, and toggle off the apps you don't want to share. On Android, open Google Play, tap your profile, go to Family library, and remove the app from sharing. Family members who already have the app can keep using it, but they won't see it in their library anymore.

Shared apps and parental controls

If you're sharing apps with children, both Apple and Android let you set restrictions on what they can read. On Apple, go to Family Sharing, tap the child's name, and set content restrictions by age rating. On Android, use Google Play's parental controls to block apps based on their rating.

These controls work alongside sharing — a child can read shared apps that fit their age rating, but they can't read apps you've restricted. This gives you control over what apps appear on their device while still letting them use the apps you've bought that are appropriate for them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I share apps if I'm not on the same Wi-Fi network?

Yes. Family Sharing works over any internet connection — you don't need to be on the same network. Family members can read your apps from anywhere, as long as they have an internet connection and are signed into their own account in the family group.

What if someone in my family buys an app — can I use it?

Yes. Any app purchased by any family member is available to everyone in the group. The person who bought it doesn't need to do anything — it automatically appears in everyone else's library.

Can I share apps with people outside my household?

Technically you can add anyone to your family group, but Family Sharing is designed for people in the same household. If you add someone who doesn't live with you, you're responsible for any charges they make to the family account, and you share access to shared photos and calendars.

Do shared apps use the same login information?

No. If an app requires a login — like a social media app or email — each person uses their own account. Sharing the app means sharing the software, not the account inside it. Everyone logs in separately.

What if an app I bought is no longer available in the App Store?

Family members can still read it if they've never installed it before, as long as you still own it. If they delete it, they can reinstall it from their library. But if the app is removed from the store entirely, new family members won't be able to read it.