What Family Sharing does with apps
Family Sharing lets you share apps you've bought on the App Store with up to five other family members on their own devices. When you set it up, purchases made by anyone in the family group become available to everyone else — each person sees the shared apps in their own App Store and can download them to their own iPhone, iPad, or Mac without paying again.
The person who started the Family Sharing group (the organizer) controls which apps get shared and can see what everyone downloads. Family members can't force apps onto each other's devices — each person chooses what to download and what to delete from their own phone or tablet.
This works for most paid apps, but not for subscriptions like Apple Music or iCloud+ storage plans, which have their own sharing rules. Free apps don't need Family Sharing at all — anyone can download them directly.
Key Takeaways
- The Family Sharing organizer must turn on app sharing in Settings, then invite family members using their Apple IDs.
- Each family member downloads shared apps individually to their own device through the App Store — apps don't install automatically.
- Apps purchased before Family Sharing was set up won't share unless the organizer manually adds them to the shared library.
- Family members can see what others have downloaded but can delete shared apps from their own device without affecting anyone else.
- Some apps with account-based features may not work properly when shared, so test them on the intended device first.
Setting up Family Sharing on your device
Start on the device where you manage your Apple ID — usually your iPhone or iPad. Open Settings, tap your name at the top, then tap Family Sharing. If you don't see this option, you may need to update your device first.
Tap get your free guide or Create Family Group. You'll be asked to confirm your payment method — this is the card that will be charged if you buy anything through the family account. Apple will also ask you to set up Ask to Buy, which lets you approve purchases made by family members under 18. You can turn this on or off depending on your family's needs.
Once Family Sharing is active, go back to Settings > your name > Family Sharing and look for App Sharing or Share Purchases. Make sure this toggle is turned on. If you don't see this option, your device software may be too old — check for updates in Settings > General > Software Update.
Inviting family members to your group
In Settings > your name > Family Sharing, tap Invite Family or the plus sign next to family members. You can invite people in two ways: send them an invitation through iMessage or email, or have them accept an invitation on a shared device.
If you're inviting someone in person, hand them your device and have them tap Accept when the invitation appears. They'll need to enter their Apple ID password to confirm. If you're inviting someone remotely, enter their email address or phone number — they'll receive an invitation they can accept from their own device.
Family members must have their own Apple ID to join. If someone doesn't have one yet, they can create it free on any Apple device or at appleid.apple.com. Children under 13 need a parent to create a managed Apple ID for them, which takes a few extra steps but works the same way for app sharing.
Sharing apps you've already bought
Apps you purchased before setting up Family Sharing won't automatically appear in the shared library. To add them, go to Settings > your name > Family Sharing > App Sharing (or Share Purchases), then look for a list of your apps. Tap each app you want to share and turn on the toggle next to it.
Not every app can be shared this way — some developers don't allow it. If an app doesn't have a toggle, you can't share it, even if you paid for it. This is the developer's choice, not Apple's, and there's no way around it.
After you turn on sharing for an app, it will show up in the App Store for other family members within a few minutes. They'll see it marked as "Installed" or with a download button, depending on whether they've already downloaded it.
How family members download shared apps
Each family member opens their own App Store app and looks for the shared apps. On iPhone or iPad, tap the Apps tab at the bottom, then look for a section labeled Shared with You or Family Sharing. On Mac, open the App Store and click Apps at the top, then look for the same section.
Tap or click the cloud download icon next to any app they want. The app will download and install on their device using their own storage space. They can open it immediately once it finishes, or leave it for later — it stays on their device until they delete it.
Family members can see what apps others in the group have downloaded by going to Settings > their name > Family Sharing and looking at each person's profile. This shows you what's installed on their device, but you can't force anything onto their phone or tablet.
Managing what gets shared and what doesn't
As the Family Sharing organizer, you control which apps are available to share. If you buy a new app after Family Sharing is set up, you can choose whether to share it or keep it private. When you purchase, look for an option that says Share with Family or similar — toggle it on or off before completing the purchase.
If you change your mind about sharing an app later, go back to Settings > your name > Family Sharing > App Sharing and turn off the toggle for that app. It will disappear from the shared library within a few minutes, but family members who already downloaded it can keep using it on their device — you can't remove it remotely.
Family members can delete shared apps from their own device anytime without asking permission. Deleting an app from one person's phone doesn't affect anyone else's copy. If they want to download it again later, they can — as long as you haven't turned off sharing for that app.
Troubleshooting common problems
If a family member can't see a shared app in their App Store, wait a few minutes — it sometimes takes time to sync. Then have them close the App Store completely and open it again. On iPhone or iPad, swipe up from the bottom to close the app. On Mac, quit the App Store from the menu bar.
If an app won't download, check that the family member's device has enough storage space and is connected to Wi-Fi or cellular data. Some apps require a minimum iOS or macOS version — if their device is too old, the app won't download. They'll see a message saying the app isn't compatible.
If you see an app in your library but can't turn on sharing for it, the developer hasn't allowed Family Sharing for that particular app. This is permanent and can't be changed. Your only option is to contact the app's developer and ask them to enable it.
If a family member's device shows an app as "Installed" but they can't find it, the app might be hidden. Have them go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions and check whether the app category is blocked. If it is, they'll need to adjust those settings to see the app.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I share apps with people who aren't in my family group?
No. App sharing only works with people you've invited to your Family Sharing group. Each family group is separate, and you can only belong to one at a time. If you want to share apps with someone new, they need to join your family group first.
What happens to shared apps if I leave the family group?
Apps you downloaded from the shared library stay on your device and continue to work. However, you won't receive updates for them anymore, and you can't download new shared apps. If you rejoin a family group later, you can download them again.
Can family members see my passwords or personal data in shared apps?
No. Shared apps are separate installations on each device. If an app stores passwords or personal data, each person's copy has its own separate storage. Logging into an app on one device doesn't log you in on anyone else's device.
Do I have to pay extra to share apps with family?
No. Family Sharing itself is free. You pay once for an app, and then everyone in your family group can download it. There are no additional fees or subscriptions required.
Can I share apps between iPhone and Mac?
Yes, as long as the app is available on both platforms. Some apps are only made for iPhone and iPad, while others only exist on Mac. If an app is available on both, family members can download it to whichever devices they use.