Family Sharing lets one person buy an app once and share it with up to five other family members on the same account
Family Sharing is a feature built into Apple devices (iPhone, iPad, Mac) and Android devices that lets you purchase an app once and make it available to other people in your household without buying it multiple times. The person who buys the app — called the organizer — controls who can see and download it. Family members can install the shared app on their own devices, and updates happen automatically for everyone.
The setup process differs between Apple and Android, and the rules about which apps can be shared are set by the app developer, not by Apple or Google. Some apps cannot be shared at all, even though they are free or paid. Before you set up Family Sharing, check whether the specific apps you want to share allow it.
Key Takeaways
- Apple Family Sharing requires all family members to have their own Apple ID and to be added to a shared family group by the organizer.
- Android Family Library works through Google Play and requires family members to be added through the Family Link app or Google Play settings.
- Not all apps can be shared — the app developer decides whether sharing is allowed, and some apps block it even if they are free.
- Shared apps update automatically on everyone's device, but each person can delete the app from their own device without affecting others.
- Family members can see which apps are shared in the family library, but they cannot see each other's personal purchases unless the organizer allows it.
Setting up Family Sharing on Apple devices
On an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, open Settings and tap your name at the top. Select "Family Sharing" and tap "get your free guide" if you have not set it up yet. You will be asked to confirm your payment method — this is the card that will be charged if you buy apps to share. Tap "Continue" and follow the prompts to create the family group.
Once the group is created, you can add family members by tapping "Add Family Member" and having them sign in with their own Apple ID on your device, or by sending them an invitation through iMessage or email. Each person needs their own Apple ID; you cannot add someone without one. Children under 13 can be added, but Apple will create a managed account for them that requires parental approval for purchases.
After family members are added, go to the App Store, find the app you want to share, and tap the price or "Get" button. Complete the purchase. The app will then appear in the "Family Sharing" section of the App Store for all family members to download on their own devices. They can find it by opening the App Store, tapping the profile icon, scrolling to "Family Sharing," and selecting the app.
Setting up Family Library on Android devices
On an Android phone or tablet, open Google Play and tap your profile icon in the top right corner. Select "Manage family" and tap "Create a family group." You will be asked to add family members by their Google account email address. Each person must have their own Google account; you cannot add someone without one.
Once family members are added, purchase the app you want to share through Google Play. The app will appear in the "Family Library" section for all members to download. They can access it by opening Google Play, tapping their profile icon, selecting "Manage family," and then "Family Library." From there, they can tap any shared app and install it on their device.
Unlike Apple, Google does not require you to add children under a specific age to the family group, but you can set up parental controls through Family Link if you want to manage what children can download. Family Link is a separate app that lets you approve or block purchases and set screen time limits.
Which apps can and cannot be shared
Most paid apps can be shared through Family Sharing or Family Library, but the app developer has the final say. Some developers block sharing even though the app is free or inexpensive. Common reasons include licensing agreements with content providers, subscription-based models, or security concerns.
Apps that typically cannot be shared include banking apps, password managers, fitness apps that track personal data, and some games with online multiplayer features. When you try to purchase an app that cannot be shared, the App Store or Google Play will show a message saying "This item cannot be shared" or "Not available for family sharing." If you see this message, you will need to purchase the app separately for each person who wants it.
To check whether an app can be shared before you buy it, look at the app's page in the App Store or Google Play. Scroll down to the "Information" or "About this app" section and look for language about sharing or family library support. If it is not mentioned, contact the app developer through their website or support email to ask.
Managing shared apps and removing access
As the organizer of a family group, you can see which apps have been shared and who has downloaded them. On Apple, go to Settings, tap your name, select "Family Sharing," and tap "Apps." On Android, open Google Play, tap your profile icon, select "Manage family," and tap "Family Library."
If you want to stop sharing an app with the entire family, you can remove it from the family library. On Apple, go to the app's page in the App Store, tap the price button, and select "Remove from Family Sharing." On Android, open Google Play, find the app in your library, tap the three dots, and select "Remove from family library." The app will no longer be available for new downloads, but family members who already have it installed can keep using it.
Individual family members can delete a shared app from their own device at any time without affecting anyone else. On Apple, press and hold the app icon and tap "Remove App," then "Delete App." On Android, press and hold the app icon and tap "Uninstall." The app will be removed from their device, but they can download it again later if they change their mind.
Removing a family member from the group
If you need to remove someone from your family group, the process is different on Apple and Android. On Apple, go to Settings, tap your name, select "Family Sharing," tap the person's name, and tap "Remove." On Android, open Google Play, tap your profile icon, select "Manage family," tap the person's name, and tap "Remove member."
When you remove someone, they will no longer have access to shared apps, but apps they have already downloaded will remain on their device. They will not receive updates to those apps, and if they uninstall an app, they cannot reinstall it unless they purchase it separately. If the person was a child with a managed account, their account will be converted to a regular Google or Apple account.
What happens when someone leaves the family group
If a family member removes themselves from the group, they keep any apps they have already downloaded, but they will not receive updates. They can continue using the apps, but if they delete an app, they cannot reinstall it unless they purchase it separately or rejoin the family group.
If the organizer of the family group removes themselves or deletes the group entirely, the group will be dissolved. All family members will lose access to shared apps, though apps already on their devices will remain. The organizer can create a new family group at any time, but it will be a separate group with different members and shared apps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I share apps with people who do not live with me?
Technically yes, but both Apple and Google ask that family members live in the same household. If you add someone who does not live with you, you are violating the terms of service. Apple and Google can remove people from family groups if they detect misuse, and in rare cases, they may suspend accounts.
What if someone in my family group buys an app I do not want to share?
On Apple, only the organizer can purchase apps to share with the family. Other family members can buy apps with their own payment method, but those purchases are private and not shared. On Android, any family member can make purchases, but you can use Family Link to require approval for all purchases if you want more control.
Do shared apps use the same login as my personal account?
No. When a family member downloads a shared app, they use their own account to log in. If the app requires a username and password, they will need to create their own or use their own credentials. The app itself is shared, but the account inside the app is separate for each person.
Can I see what apps other family members have downloaded?
On Apple, the organizer can see which shared apps each family member has downloaded, but not their personal purchases. On Android, you can see the family library, but personal purchases are private unless you set up Family Link with approval requirements. Children's accounts may have more visibility depending on parental control settings.
What if an app I shared stops working or gets removed from the store?
If an app is removed from the App Store or Google Play, family members who already have it can keep using it, but they will not receive updates. If the app crashes or stops working, they can try uninstalling and reinstalling it, but if it is no longer in the store, they cannot download it again. The developer may release a new version under a different name, but that would be a separate purchase.