Family Sharing is Apple's system for sharing purchases, subscriptions, and device features across up to six family members
Family Sharing is a feature built into Apple devices that lets you and up to five other people share apps, music, books, subscriptions, and iCloud storage without sharing passwords. One adult sets up the family group and manages it — that person is called the organizer. Everyone else joins as a family member, and each person keeps their own Apple ID and their own device.
The main point is convenience: instead of each person buying their own copy of an app or paying for separate subscriptions, you buy once and everyone can use it. You also get parental controls if you have children in the group, and you can see where family members are on a map if they choose to share their location.
Key Takeaways
- One adult organizes the family group and manages settings, while up to five other people join with their own Apple IDs and devices.
- Apps, music, books, and most subscriptions purchased by any family member become available to everyone in the group.
- Each person keeps their own separate iCloud account, but the family can share a single iCloud+ storage plan to save money.
- Parents can set screen time limits, restrict app downloads, and control what content children can see on their devices.
- Family members can see each other's location on a map if location sharing is turned on, and you can turn it off for yourself at any time.
What you can and cannot share with Family Sharing
Apps, music, movies, TV shows, and books purchased from the Apple App Store, Apple Music, Apple TV, and Apple Books all become available to everyone in the family. If one person buys a game, everyone can download it on their own device. If someone subscribes to Apple Music, everyone gets access to the same music library and playlists.
What you cannot share: iCloud email accounts, iCloud Keychain (which stores passwords), health and fitness data, and messages. Each person's private data stays private. You also cannot share subscriptions to third-party services like Netflix or Spotify through Family Sharing — those require separate accounts.
iCloud+ storage is the exception to the privacy rule. The organizer can set up a shared iCloud+ plan so that all family members' backups, photos, and files count toward one storage limit instead of each person paying separately. Everyone still has their own private folders and encrypted data — the sharing is just about the storage bucket.
How to set up Family Sharing
The organizer starts on their own Apple device. On an iPhone or iPad, go to Settings, tap your name at the top, then tap Family Sharing. On a Mac, open System Settings, click your name, then Family. Tap "Create a Family" or "Set Up Family Sharing," then follow the prompts to add a payment method.
Once the family group exists, the organizer invites other people by their Apple ID email address. They can send invitations through Messages, Mail, or FaceTime. When someone receives an invitation, they accept it on their own device, and they are added to the group. They do not need to change their Apple ID or password — they keep their own account.
If you want to add a child who does not have an Apple ID yet, the organizer can create one for them. That child's account is linked to the family group from the start, and the organizer can set parental controls immediately.
Parental controls and screen time limits
The organizer can set up Screen Time for any family member under 18. This lets you set daily time limits for app categories, restrict which apps can be used, and control what content is available — for example, blocking explicit music or movies rated above PG-13.
You can also require approval before a child downloads an app or makes an in-app purchase. When they try to download something, a notification goes to the organizer's device asking for permission. This prevents surprise charges and gives you control over what apps your child uses.
Screen Time also shows you how much time each family member spends in different apps and categories. You can see the breakdown by day or week, though you cannot see exactly which websites they visit — only which apps they use.
Location sharing and privacy controls
Family Sharing includes a location-sharing feature that shows where each family member is on a map. The organizer can see everyone's location by default, but any family member can turn off location sharing for themselves at any time. Turning it off does not remove you from the family — it just hides your location.
Location sharing is useful if you have children and want to know where they are, or if you want family members to be able to find each other in an emergency. It requires that each person's device has location services turned on and that they are signed into iCloud.
You can also set up emergency contacts in the Health app so that family members can see your medical information if something happens to you. This is separate from location sharing and requires you to opt in.
Removing people from Family Sharing
The organizer can remove a family member at any time through the Family Sharing settings. When someone is removed, they lose access to shared apps and subscriptions, but they keep their own Apple ID and any apps they bought with their own money.
If a child is removed from the family, their Screen Time restrictions are also removed. If an adult is removed, they can no longer see the family's shared calendar or location information.
A family member can also leave the family on their own. On an iPhone or iPad, go to Settings, tap your name, then Family Sharing, then tap your name again, and select "Leave Family." On a Mac, open System Settings, click your name, then Family, and choose to leave.
Costs and payment for Family Sharing
Setting up Family Sharing itself is free. You only pay for the apps, subscriptions, and content that the family buys. When anyone in the family makes a purchase, it is charged to the organizer's payment method — the organizer covers the cost.
If you want to share iCloud+ storage, that costs between $0.99 and $9.99 per month depending on how much storage you choose. That one plan covers everyone in the family, so it is cheaper than each person paying for their own iCloud+ account.
Some subscriptions, like Apple Music and Apple TV+, are cheaper when shared through Family Sharing than when each person pays separately. Apple Music Family costs $16.99 per month and covers up to six people, compared to $10.99 per month for an individual plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have more than one organizer in a Family Sharing group?
No, there is only one organizer per family group. If you want to change who the organizer is, the current organizer has to remove themselves from the family, and another adult can take over. This is a limitation of how Apple designed the system.
What happens to shared apps if someone leaves the family?
Apps that were purchased by someone else in the family stay on the person's device, but they stop receiving updates. The person can still use the app, but if they delete it, they cannot reinstall it because they do not own it. They can continue using it as long as they do not remove it.
Can I use Family Sharing if I have an Android phone?
Family Sharing is only for Apple devices. If you have an Android phone, you cannot join a Family Sharing group. However, you can still share an iCloud+ storage plan with family members who have Apple devices.
Does Family Sharing work across different countries?
Family Sharing works best when everyone is in the same country, because app prices and availability vary by region. If family members are in different countries, some apps and subscriptions may not be available to everyone, and purchases may be charged in different currencies.
Can I see what apps my family members are using?
You can see Screen Time reports for children, which show which apps they use and how much time they spend in each one. For adults, you cannot see their app usage — Screen Time is only for parental monitoring of children under 18.