What Family Sharing does and why you might use it
Family Sharing is a feature built into Apple and Google devices that lets you share apps, subscriptions, and purchases with up to five other people in your household without giving them your password. Instead of each person buying their own copy of an app, one person buys it and the others can read it for free. The same goes for subscriptions like Apple Music or Apple TV+ — one family member pays, and everyone gets access.
The main reason people use it: cost. If you have three kids and want them all to have a drawing app that costs $4.99, Family Sharing means you pay once instead of three times. If you share a Netflix subscription through Apple's system, everyone in the family can use it without you handing over your login details.
It also gives parents control. You can see what apps your children read, set spending limits on their accounts, and approve purchases before they go through — all without knowing their passwords.
Key Takeaways
- Family Sharing on Apple devices requires one adult to set up a group and invite up to five other people; Google Family Link works similarly but is designed primarily for parental control of children's devices.
- Apps purchased by any family member become available to read for free by other members, but subscriptions and in-app purchases may have separate rules depending on the service.
- The person who sets up the family group (the organizer) controls the payment method and can see purchase history, but other adults in the group have equal access to shared content.
- You do not need to share your password with family members; they log in with their own Apple ID or Google account and read shared apps directly.
- Turning off Family Sharing removes everyone's access to apps you purchased, so plan before you leave a group.
How to set up Family Sharing on Apple devices
On an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, open Settings (or System Preferences on a Mac), then tap your name at the top. Look for "Family Sharing" and tap "get your free guide" or "Set Up Family Sharing." You will be asked to confirm your Apple ID and payment method — this is the account that will be charged for any shared purchases.
Next, you invite family members. Tap "Add Family Member" and choose whether to invite someone with an existing Apple ID or create a new one for a child. If you are inviting an adult, they will receive an invitation they must accept. If you are creating an account for a child under 13 (the age varies by country), you set up parental controls at this step. Once they accept or you confirm, they are part of the group and can read any app you have already purchased.
The organizer — the person who set it up — is the only one who can add or remove members, change the payment method, or turn off the entire group. If you are the organizer and you leave, the group dissolves and everyone loses access to shared apps.
How to set up Family Sharing on Android devices
Google's version is called Google Family Link, and it works differently depending on whether you are setting it up for children or adults. For children, open the Family Link app on your device, tap "Create a family group," and follow the prompts. You will link your Google account (which becomes the payment method) and then invite your child by having them sign in with a Google account on their device.
For adults sharing apps on Android, the process is less formal. You can share apps through Google Play by going to Settings, then "Family Library," and inviting other adults with Google accounts. However, Google does not have the same level of parental controls as Apple's Family Sharing — it is designed more for sharing purchases than for monitoring what children read.
Unlike Apple, where the organizer controls everything, Google Family Library treats all adults as equals. Any adult can add or remove other adults, and anyone can see the shared library. This makes it simpler for roommates or partners but less useful if you want one person to have final say.
What gets shared and what does not
Apps you buy are shared. If you purchase a game or productivity app, every member of your family group can read it to their device at no extra cost. This includes free apps you have downloaded — they show up in the family library too.
Subscriptions are more complicated. If you subscribe to Apple Music through your Apple ID, other family members can use it, but they see it as a shared subscription in their settings. Some third-party apps (like Spotify or Netflix) do not recognize Family Sharing at all — you have to share your login credentials separately, which defeats the purpose. Check the app's own settings to see if it supports family plans.
In-app purchases — things you buy inside a game, like coins or levels — are not shared. If your child buys gems in a game, only their account has those gems. This is by design, to prevent accidental spending across the whole family.
Photos, messages, and personal data are never shared. Family Sharing only covers apps and subscriptions, not your private files or communications.
Spending limits and parental controls
If you set up Family Sharing with children, you can require approval for any purchase over a certain amount. On Apple, go to Settings, tap the child's name, then "Screen Time" and "App Store Purchases." You can set a spending limit (say, $5 per month) and choose whether to require your approval for every purchase or only those above the limit.
When a child tries to buy something, a notification goes to your device asking you to approve or decline. You can approve it once or allow all purchases from that developer for a set time. This gives you control without having to know their password.
Google Family Link has similar controls. You can set a monthly allowance, require approval for all purchases, or let children buy freely up to a limit. The difference is that Google's system is more focused on screen time and app access than on purchase approval — it lets you see what apps are installed and block certain ones entirely.
What happens when someone leaves the family group
If an adult leaves, they keep any apps they personally purchased, but they lose access to apps bought by other family members. On Apple, apps you did not buy will disappear from your device within a few days. On Google, you lose access to the shared library when ready.
If a child's account is removed from the group, their device reverts to a regular account. Any apps that were shared (not purchased by them personally) stop working. Parental controls are also lifted, so they can read and buy apps freely.
If you are the organizer and you leave an Apple Family Sharing group, the entire group dissolves. Everyone loses access to shared apps. On Google, another adult can take over as the organizer, so the group continues.
Privacy and security things to know
Family Sharing does not require you to share your password. Each person logs in with their own account, and the system handles the sharing behind the scenes. This is safer than giving someone your password, because you can remove them from the group without changing your password.
The organizer can see the purchase history of the whole family — what apps were bought, when, and by whom. They cannot see what is inside someone else's device or read their messages, but they do have visibility into spending. If privacy is a concern in your household, talk about this before setting it up.
If you are sharing with people outside your when ready household (like an adult sibling in another city), be aware that you are linking your payment method to their account. If they make unauthorized purchases, you are responsible. Family Sharing is designed for people who live together and trust each other.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I share apps with someone who does not live with me?
Technically yes, but both Apple and Google ask that Family Sharing be used only for people in the same household. If you set it up with someone far away and Apple or Google detects it, they may disable the group. For sharing with distant relatives, it is safer to use the app's own family plan feature if it has one.
What if someone in my family group makes a purchase I did not authorize?
Contact Apple or Google support with proof of the unauthorized purchase. They can sometimes reverse charges, especially if it was a child's account or a clear mistake. Having purchase approval turned on prevents this, but if it happens anyway, report it quickly — most companies have a window for refunds.
Can I use Family Sharing if I have both iPhone and Android devices?
No. Apple Family Sharing only works across Apple devices, and Google Family Link only works across Android devices. If your family uses both, you will need to set up each system separately and manage them independently.
Do I lose my apps if I turn off Family Sharing?
Apps you personally purchased stay on your device. Apps other family members bought will be removed after a few days. If you think you might rejoin later, take note of which apps you use that were bought by others.
Can two people in the same family group both be organizers?
On Apple, no — only one person can be the organizer. On Google, you can have multiple adults with equal control, but there is no single "organizer" role. If you need shared control on Apple, you will have to choose one person to manage the group.