The fastest way to share apps depends on what device you use
Most phones and tablets let you share apps with family members through a built-in family account system. On Apple devices, this is called Family Sharing. On Android devices, it's called Family Library. Both systems let multiple people in your household download the same paid apps without buying them separately — the person who bought the app pays once, and everyone else gets it for free.
The catch is that family members see what you buy, and you see what they buy. You can hide purchases from the family view, but the system is designed for transparency. If privacy matters more than saving money, you may want to buy separate copies instead.
Setting up family sharing takes about 10 minutes the first time. After that, adding new apps to the shared library is automatic — you buy it once, and it appears on everyone's device.
Key Takeaways
- Apple's Family Sharing and Android's Family Library both let one purchase cover multiple family members, but require a shared payment method and some loss of privacy.
- On iPhone and iPad, you set up Family Sharing through Settings, add family members by email or phone number, and choose which content to share.
- On Android, Family Library works through Google Play and requires family members to be added through Google Family Link or your Google account settings.
- Apps purchased through family sharing download to each person's device separately, so they take up storage space on every phone or tablet.
- You can remove family members or stop sharing at any time, but they keep the apps already on their devices.
How to set up Family Sharing on iPhone and iPad
Open Settings on the iPhone or iPad that will be the main account. Tap your name at the top, then tap Family Sharing. Tap "get your free guide" or "Create a Family Group." You'll see a list of people to invite — you can add family members by their email address or phone number, or you can invite them in person by having them sign in on your device.
The person who sets up Family Sharing becomes the organizer. They control the payment method and can see what everyone buys. Each family member needs their own Apple ID — they can't share one. Once someone is added, they'll receive an invitation on their device. They tap Accept, and they're in the family group.
After everyone is added, go back to Family Sharing settings and turn on "Shared Purchases" under the person whose apps you want to share. Repeat this for each family member whose apps you want available to everyone. Apps purchased after this point will appear in the Purchased tab of the App Store for all family members.
How to set up Family Library on Android
Open Google Play on an Android phone or tablet. Tap your profile icon in the top right, then tap Settings. Scroll down and tap Family Library. Tap "Set up Family Library" or "Manage family group." You'll need to add family members by their Google Account email address.
Unlike Apple, Android requires you to set up Google Family Link first if any family members are under 18. Family Link is a separate app that lets you manage what younger family members can download. If all family members are adults, you can skip Family Link and add them directly through Family Library settings.
Once family members are added, apps you buy from Google Play become available to everyone in the group. They'll see the app in their Play Store library and can download it to their own device. The purchase history shows who bought what, so there's no hiding what you've spent on apps.
What happens when you share an app with family
When a family member downloads a shared app, it installs on their device just like they bought it themselves. They can use it, update it, and uninstall it without affecting your copy. If you uninstall the app from your device, it stays on theirs. If you remove someone from the family group, the apps they downloaded stay on their device, but they won't receive updates anymore.
Shared apps take up storage space on every device they're installed on. If you share a 500 MB game with five family members, that's 2.5 GB of total storage used across all devices. Each person can delete it independently if they need the space.
Some apps don't work with family sharing — usually games with strict licensing or apps that tie to a single account. The App Store or Play Store will tell you before you buy whether an app can be shared. If you buy an app and later find out it can't be shared, you can usually get a refund within 15 minutes of purchase on both platforms.
Hiding purchases from your family group
On iPhone, you can hide a purchase so other family members don't see it in the shared library. Open the App Store, tap your profile icon, tap Purchased, find the app, swipe left on it, and tap Hide. The app stays on your device and keeps updating, but it won't show up in the family's shared library. This works for apps, books, music, and movies.
On Android, open Google Play, tap your profile icon, tap Manage apps & device, tap Manage, find the app, tap the three dots next to it, and tap Hide from Play Store. Like Apple, the app stays on your device but won't appear in the family library view.
Hidden purchases still show up in your account's purchase history if someone looks for them. They're hidden from the main library view, not from someone who knows to search for them. If you need complete privacy, buying a separate copy on a separate account is more reliable.
Removing someone from family sharing or stopping altogether
On iPhone, open Settings, tap your name, tap Family Sharing, tap the person's name, and tap "Remove from Family Sharing." They'll get a notification that they've been removed. Any apps they downloaded stay on their device, but they won't receive updates and they can't download new shared apps.
On Android, open Google Play, tap your profile icon, tap Settings, tap Family Library, tap the person's name, and tap "Remove from family group." The same rules apply — their apps stay, but they can't get updates or new shared apps.
To stop family sharing entirely, you have to remove everyone one at a time. After the last person is removed, the family group dissolves. You can start a new one later if you change your mind. There's no penalty for stopping and restarting — you just lose the shared library view temporarily.
When family sharing doesn't work or isn't the right choice
Some apps simply won't share, even though they're paid apps. Developers can opt out of family sharing if their app requires a single login or has licensing restrictions. Games from major publishers often fall into this category. Before you buy an app expecting to share it, check the app's page in the store — it will say "Shareable" or "Not shareable" near the price.
If you need privacy or don't want family members to see your purchases, family sharing isn't the right tool. A separate account on a separate device is the only way to keep your app library completely private. You'll pay for apps twice, but no one else will know what you're buying.
If family members live in different countries, family sharing may not work. Both Apple and Google require family members to be in the same country. You can change your country in your account settings, but it affects your entire account, not just family sharing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I share apps if family members live in different houses?
Yes. Family Sharing and Family Library don't require everyone to be on the same Wi-Fi network or in the same physical location. They just need to be in the same country and connected to the internet. You can add family members who live across the country or even in a different state.
What happens if someone buys an app I already own?
If a family member buys an app that's already in the shared library, they'll get a refund automatically on both Apple and Android. The system recognizes the duplicate purchase and reverses the charge within a few minutes. You don't have to do anything.
Can I share apps with friends or roommates?
Technically yes, but both Apple and Google say family sharing is only for people related by blood, marriage, or adoption. In practice, the system doesn't verify relationships — you can add anyone. However, doing so violates the terms of service, and your account could be suspended if reported.
Do shared apps work offline?
Once an app is downloaded and installed, it works offline just like any other app. You need an internet connection to download it the first time and to receive updates, but after that, most apps function without Wi-Fi or cellular data. Some apps that require constant internet connection won't work offline regardless of how they were installed.
Can I share apps between iPhone and Android?
No. Family Sharing only works between Apple devices, and Family Library only works between Android devices. If your family uses both iPhones and Android phones, each person will have access to apps from their own ecosystem only. You can't share an iPhone app with someone who uses Android.