You can share iCloud storage with up to five other family members through iCloud Family Sharing, which pools your storage into one account that everyone accesses together.
iCloud Family Sharing lets you combine your iCloud storage plan with family members' accounts so you all draw from the same pool. If you have 200 GB of storage, for example, all six family members (you plus five others) share that 200 GB total. One person — usually the account holder who sets it up — manages the family group and can see how much storage each person is using.
You need an Apple ID for yourself and for each family member you want to include. Everyone must be at least 13 years old, or have a child account set up through Family Sharing if they're younger. The person who starts the family group becomes the organizer and can add or remove members later.
Key Takeaways
- Family Sharing pools one iCloud storage plan across up to six people, so you all share the same total amount of storage.
- The organizer (usually the person who sets up the group) manages who is in the family and can see how much storage each person uses.
- You set up Family Sharing on an iPhone, iPad, or Mac by going to Settings (or System Settings), tapping your name, and selecting Family Sharing.
- Each family member keeps their own separate iCloud backups, photos, and documents — the shared storage is the container they all draw from, not a shared folder.
- If someone leaves the family group, their data stays on their own iCloud account, but they lose access to the shared storage pool.
How to set up Family Sharing on iPhone or iPad
Open Settings and tap your name at the top. Select Family Sharing, then tap get your free guide (or the plus icon if Family Sharing already exists). Follow the prompts to create the family group. You'll be asked to confirm your payment method — this is where charges for shared subscriptions or purchases will go, so it should be a method you control.
Once the group is created, you can invite family members. Tap Add Family Member, then choose whether to invite someone with an existing Apple ID or create a new account for them. If you're inviting someone, they'll get a notification on their device asking them to join. They can accept or decline. Once they join, their iCloud storage automatically becomes part of the shared pool.
The organizer can see each member's name and how much iCloud storage they're using, but not what files or photos they have. This is a storage view only — it doesn't give you access to anyone's private data.
How to set up Family Sharing on a Mac
On a Mac running macOS 10.15 or later, open System Settings and click your name in the sidebar. Select Family Sharing, then click Set Up Family Sharing or the plus icon if a group already exists. You'll follow the same steps as on iPhone: confirm your payment method and then invite family members by their Apple ID or create new accounts.
Mac users see the same shared storage pool as iPhone and iPad users in the family. If you have a Mac and an iPhone, they both count toward the same 200 GB (or whatever your plan is), and your family members' devices do too.
What happens to storage when someone joins or leaves
When a family member joins, their iCloud account is linked to the family group's storage pool. Any data they already had in iCloud stays theirs — they don't suddenly gain access to everyone else's files. The shared storage is the amount of space available for new backups, photos, and documents across all members.
If a family member leaves the group, they keep their own iCloud account and their own data, but they lose access to the shared storage pool. If they were using more storage than they have in their personal plan (for example, they were using 50 GB of the family's 200 GB but only have a 50 GB personal plan), they'll get a warning that they're over their limit. They can delete files to get back under their personal plan's limit, or they can buy more storage for themselves.
If the organizer leaves the family group, a new organizer must be chosen from the remaining members. The family group continues, but the payment method may need to be updated.
Shared storage versus personal data
It's important to understand that shared iCloud storage is not a shared folder. Each family member's iCloud account remains separate and private. When you share storage, you're sharing the amount of space available — not the contents.
Your iCloud backup (which includes your phone settings, app data, and some photos) is yours alone. Your family members can't see it. The same is true for their backups. If you use iCloud Photos, those photos are yours alone unless you specifically share them through a shared album or another method. Documents stored in iCloud Drive are private to each person's account.
The only thing that is truly shared in Family Sharing is subscriptions to Apple services (like Apple Music or Apple TV+) and purchases from the App Store or iTunes Store, if you choose to share those. Storage itself is pooled but not shared in the sense of being visible or accessible to others.
Checking and managing storage use
The organizer can see how much storage each family member is using. On iPhone or iPad, go to Settings, tap your name, select Family Sharing, then tap iCloud Storage. You'll see a breakdown showing how much each person is using and how much is left in the pool.
If the family is running low on storage, the organizer can upgrade the plan. Go to Settings, tap your name, select iCloud, then tap Manage Account Storage. Choose Change Storage Plan and select a larger amount (usually 50 GB, 200 GB, 2 TB, or higher, depending on your region). The cost increases, and the new amount is available to the whole family immediately.
If a family member is using a large amount of storage, they can delete old backups or photos to free up space. Each person controls what's in their own iCloud account — the organizer can see the numbers but can't delete anyone else's data.
Costs and payment
The organizer's payment method is charged for the iCloud storage plan. If the family upgrades from 5 GB (free) to 50 GB, the organizer pays for that upgrade. The cost varies by region and plan size, but generally ranges from a few dollars per month for 50 GB to more for larger plans.
If you share other Apple services through Family Sharing (like Apple Music or Apple TV+), those charges also go to the organizer's payment method. Family members don't pay separately for the shared storage or services — it all comes from one bill.
If the organizer changes their payment method or it expires, the family group's access to paid storage may be interrupted. Make sure the payment method stays current.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can family members see each other's photos or documents?
No. Shared storage is just the amount of space available — it's not a shared folder. Each person's iCloud Photos, iCloud Drive, and backups are private. Family members can't access each other's data unless you specifically share a photo album or document with them through other means.
What if someone in the family uses most of the storage?
The organizer can see who is using how much, but can't delete anyone else's data. If one person is using most of the pool, they can delete old backups or photos from their own account to free up space. If the family consistently runs out of space, the organizer can upgrade to a larger plan.
Do I have to share my payment method with family members?
No. Only the organizer's payment method is used. Family members don't see the card number or billing details — they just benefit from the shared storage and services. The organizer controls the payment method and can change it anytime.
What happens if I want to stop sharing storage?
You can remove a family member from the group, or you can leave the group yourself. If you leave as the organizer, you must choose a new organizer first. When someone leaves, they keep their own iCloud account and data but lose access to the shared storage pool.
Can I share storage with people who don't have Apple devices?
No. Family Sharing requires an Apple ID, which is tied to Apple devices or an iCloud account. People without Apple devices can't join a Family Sharing group.