Family Sharing simplifies life for up to six family members, enabling them to share music, films, TV programs, apps, books, and subscriptions such as iCloud+ without sharing an Apple ID. You can create an Apple ID for kids, manage permissions via Screen Time remotely, and approve purchases and downloads from a parent's device using Ask to Buy. Additionally, you can set up Apple Cash for a minor or get them started with an Apple Watch.
Setting Up Family Sharing:
An adult in the family, designated as the family organizer, can initiate Family Sharing on their iPhone, iPad, or Mac. If purchase sharing is active, the family organizer will handle payments for family members’ purchases with a valid payment method on file.
On your iPhone or iPad:
Go to Settings.
Tap your name.
Select Family Sharing, then tap Set Up Your Family.
Follow the onscreen instructions to establish your family group and invite members.
On your Mac with macOS Ventura or later:
Select the Apple menu  > System Settings.
Click your name, then Family Sharing.
Click Set Up Family.
Follow the instructions to form your family group and invite members.
On your Mac with macOS Monterey or earlier:
Choose Apple menu  > System Preferences.
Click Family Sharing.
Confirm your Apple ID for Family Sharing and ensure Share My Purchases is selected.
Follow the instructions.
Inviting People to Join Your Family:
You can invite new members anytime via Messages, email, or in person.
On your iPhone or iPad with iOS 16 or later:
Go to Settings.
Tap Family.
Tap the Add Member button.
For children without an Apple ID, tap Create an Account for a Child. Otherwise, tap Invite People.
Follow the instructions for setting up parental controls and more.
On your Mac with macOS Ventura or later:
Choose Apple menu  > System Settings.
Click Family.
Click Add Member, then follow the instructions.
Check Invitation Status: After sending an invitation, you can check its status.
On your iPhone or iPad:
Go to Settings.
Tap Family. For earlier versions, tap your name, then Family Sharing.
To view the invitation's status, select the person’s name.
To resend the invitation, choose Resend Invitation.
On your Mac with macOS Ventura or later:
Choose Apple menu  > System Settings, then click Family.
To view the invitation's status, select the person’s name.
To resend the invitation, choose Resend Invitation.
Joining a Family Group
Accept or decline a family invitation directly from your device.
On your iPhone or iPad:
Go to Settings.
Tap your name.
Tap Invitations.
To join, follow the onscreen instructions, confirm your account information, and opt into any family features or services.
On your Mac with macOS Ventura or later:
Choose Apple menu  > System Settings.
Click Family.
To join, follow the onscreen instructions.
Troubleshooting Invitation Acceptance
If you can’t accept an invitation, ensure no other family has your Apple ID. Remember, you can only be in one family at a time and switch families only once per year.
Note: Not all content is eligible for sharing. Age restrictions and accepted payment methods vary by country or region.
Jack is the Marketing Manager at Carrots&Cake, where he channels his extensive background in app development across various sectors into making a positive societal impact. Attracted by the company’s commitment to addressing the challenges of children's screen time, Jack integrates his expertise in technology, psychology, and education to enhance digital parenting practices.
With an academic foundation in psychology and hands-on experience as a volunteer teacher, Jack is uniquely positioned to foster healthier digital habits among children. His dedication to staying current with the latest advancements in screen time and digital parenting allows him to effectively steer and influence this evolving field.
Personally, Jack is a staunch advocate for healthy living. He keeps active with regular gym visits and various sports, reflecting his professional focus on promoting balanced digital behaviors among children. Jack’s diverse interests and his deep commitment to making a real difference shine through his efforts at Carrots&Cake, helping to lead the way towards more positive screen time experiences for kids.
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