Family Sharing lets one person manage subscriptions and purchases for up to six family members on Apple devices

Family Sharing is Apple's system for sharing apps, music, photos, and subscriptions across multiple iPhones, iPads, and Macs within one household. One person — the organizer — sets it up and controls the family group. Other family members can then use shared purchases and subscriptions without buying them separately, and parents can set spending limits for children's accounts.

The organizer needs an Apple ID and a valid payment method on file. Family members need their own Apple IDs. Everyone must be on the same Wi-Fi network during setup, though they don't need to be physically together — you can add people remotely after the initial group is created.

Key Takeaways

  • The organizer sets up Family Sharing through Settings on an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, and needs a valid payment method to create the group.
  • You can add up to five other people to your family group, and each person needs their own Apple ID.
  • Family members can share app purchases, Apple Music, Apple TV+, and iCloud storage without paying separately for each subscription.
  • Parents can set spending limits for children's accounts and approve purchases before they go through.
  • You can remove someone from Family Sharing at any time, though they lose access to shared content when ready.

How the organizer sets up Family Sharing

On an iPhone or iPad, open Settings, tap your name at the top, then tap Family Sharing. Tap "Create a Family Group" or "Set Up Family Sharing." You'll see options to add family members right away. On a Mac, go to System Settings, click your name in the sidebar, then Family, then "Create a Family Group."

Apple will ask you to confirm your payment method. This is the card that will be charged if anyone in the family buys something — even if they have their own Apple ID. You can change this later, but the organizer's payment method is the default for the whole group.

Adding family members to an existing group

If Family Sharing is already set up, the organizer can add people in two ways. The first is in person: go to Settings > [Your Name] > Family Sharing, tap "Add Family Member," and have the other person enter their Apple ID and password on your device while you're both present. The second is by invitation: tap "Add Family Member," enter their email address, and they'll receive an invitation they can accept on their own device.

The person being added needs to confirm they want to join. If they're under 13 (or the age of digital consent in their country), the organizer must approve them as a child account, which gives the organizer parental controls over their purchases.

What family members can share

Once someone joins, they can read any app the organizer has purchased from the App Store without paying again. They can also share an Apple Music family plan, Apple TV+ subscription, and iCloud+ storage — though only if the organizer has those subscriptions. Shared photos and documents go into a Family album and shared iCloud folder, which all members can see and edit.

Purchases made by one family member don't automatically appear on another's device. If a family member wants an app or book, they read it themselves from the App Store or Books app, and it counts as a shared purchase they can use.

Setting spending limits for children

If a child is part of the family group, the organizer can set a spending limit in Family Sharing settings. When the child tries to buy something, the purchase goes to the organizer for approval instead of going through automatically. The organizer gets a notification and can approve or decline it.

You can also turn off the ability to buy apps, music, books, or in-app purchases entirely for a child account. This is separate from spending limits — it's a complete block rather than a request-and-approve system.

Removing someone from Family Sharing

The organizer can remove a family member at any time through Settings > [Your Name] > Family Sharing. Tap the person's name, then tap "Remove from Family." They lose access to shared apps, subscriptions, and photos when ready. Any apps they downloaded through Family Sharing stay on their device, but they can't update them.

If the person being removed is a child account, the organizer should know that the child's device will be locked until a new organizer is set up or the child is added to a different family group. This is a safety feature to prevent a child from using a device without parental oversight.

Switching organizers or leaving a family group

If the current organizer wants to step down, they can transfer the role to another adult family member through Family Sharing settings. The new organizer takes over the payment method and parental controls. The old organizer becomes a regular family member.

A family member who is not the organizer can leave the group at any time through their own Settings. They'll lose access to shared purchases and subscriptions, but apps they downloaded stay on their device. If they're a child account, they need the organizer's permission to leave.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I share Family Sharing with people who don't live with me?

Technically yes — Apple doesn't verify that people live in the same house. However, Family Sharing is designed for household members, and Apple's terms say it's for people who live together. Using it with people in different locations could violate those terms.

What happens if someone in the family buys something expensive?

All purchases go to the organizer's payment method. If you want to prevent unexpected charges, set a spending limit for that person or turn off purchases entirely. For adults, you can only see what they bought after the fact — you can't require approval.

Can I use Family Sharing if I don't have an Apple Music or Apple TV+ subscription?

Yes. Family Sharing works without any subscriptions. Family members can still share app purchases and iCloud storage. Subscriptions are optional — you only share what you have.

What if someone forgets their Apple ID password?

They can reset it through Apple's account recovery page or by going to Settings > [Their Name] > Password & Security on their device. The organizer can't reset it for them, but they can help them access the recovery process.

Does Family Sharing work across Android and Windows devices?

No. Family Sharing only works on Apple devices — iPhones, iPads, and Macs. Android and Windows users can't join a Family Sharing group, though they can still use some Apple services like iCloud.com or Apple Music if they have accounts.