Family Sharing - Worth the setup or is it a hassle?

[dmk1974]

In my household, I've had a pretty good setup for the 4 of us across all of our iPhones, iPads, and Macs. My account is used on each users device for apps and music. Then we each have our own iCloud acct for iMessage, iCloud, and Game Center (I had set up game center with a non-icloud address). The attached table shows the setup.

So, to convert to the Family Sharing, I'd assume that I make the DAD@yahoo.com address the "family organizer". And then from my iPhone and Mac, invite the other 3 family members, and then we are on our way.

My concern though is all of the apps and the setup on their iPhones for the App Store. Do I change everyone elses App Store account from DAD@yahoo.com to each of their own xxxxx@icloud.com accounts? Will it screw up all of the previous app purchases that were made by the DAD@yahoo.com account?

I really don't want to hose anything up, but anyone else who has made a similar conversion, any tip would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Ludatyk]

I really don't want to hose anything up, but anyone else who has made a similar conversion, any tip would be appreciated. Thanks!

First off.. What's the reason for switching to Family Sharing? I had your current set up where I had my family sharing the main iTunes account.. I had a huge selection of apps along with a music library for iTunes Match.

Reason I moved over to Family Sharing was because of  Music, if it wasn't for the Family Plan for  Music.. I would have stayed with my previous set up. But the cool thing I like about it... Family members can download any app they want. Normally they would have to check with me before downloading an app.

 

[dmk1974]

First off.. What's the reason for switching to Family Sharing? I had your current set up where I had my family sharing the main iTunes account.. I had a huge selection of apps along with a music library for iTunes Match.

Reason I moved over to Family Sharing was because of  Music, if it wasn't for the Family Plan for  Music.. I would have stayed with my previous set up. But the cool thing I like about it... Family members can download any app they want. Normally they would have to check with me before downloading an app.

That is exactly the only reason I am looking to make a potential change...so the 4 of us in the house can all subscribe and share a $15 Apple Music Family Plan. Sounds like you and I have the same exact setup for managing the apps and devices

To be honest, if Spotify offered 4-5 users for $15, I'd probably just make it easier and go with them. Or maybe even Rhapsody or Google Play Music. Then I can leave the setup as it was.

 

[Ludatyk]

That is exactly the only reason I am looking to make a potential change...so the 4 of us in the house can all subscribe and share a $15 Apple Music Family Plan. Sounds like you and I have the same exact setup for managing the apps and devices

To be honest, if Spotify offered 4-5 users for $15, I'd probably just make it easier and go with them. Or maybe even Rhapsody or Google Play Music. Then I can leave the setup as it was.

GPM is in the process implementing the same family plan as  Music. Google is suppose to have that ready by the end of the year, but I like the Siri integration with  Music. And since i try to stack up on discounted iTunes Gift Cards.. That helps in paying for the monthly subscription

 

[dmk1974]

GPM is in the process implementing the same family plan as  Music. Google is suppose to have that ready by the end of the year, but I like the Siri integration with  Music. And since i try to stack up on discounted iTunes Gift Cards.. That helps in paying for the monthly subscription

Dude, again, same page! I just bought an itunes ebay paypal gift cards a week or so ago paying $75 for $100 mainly for this reason.

I set it up, but for some reason, my wife's icloud acct (even though clearly part of the "family") also got charged $15 when set up. I'll have to straighten it with apple. such a pain.

 

[Ludatyk]

Dude, again, same page! I just bought an itunes ebay paypal gift cards a week or so ago paying $75 for $100 mainly for this reason.

I seen that deal too! I thought about pulling the trigger on it.. but I waited too late.

But in regards to iTunes Credit you'll have to make sure  Music subscription is under the iTunes account you have credit with. I was nervous when I signed up initially for the trial that my credit card would be charged. Because I wasn't really sure about Family Plan set up. I didn't really know exactly what I was doing.

It actually took me awhile to figure out how to get  Music set up with the Family Plan to allow each user personalize their musical selection. But I had my  Music Family Subscription under my iTunes account & not the iCloud account. So, make sure  Music Family Plan is under the account you have iTunes credit with.

 

[dmk1974]

I seen that deal too! I thought about pulling the trigger on it.. but I waited too late.

But in regards to iTunes Credit you'll have to make sure  Music subscription is under the iTunes account you have credit with. I was nervous when I signed up initially for the trial that my credit card would be charged. Because I wasn't really sure about Family Plan set up. I didn't really know exactly what I was doing.

It actually took me awhile to figure out how to get  Music set up with the Family Plan to allow each user personalize their musical selection. But I had my  Music Family Subscription under my iTunes account & not the iCloud account. So, make sure  Music Family Plan is under the account you have iTunes credit with.

From what I can tell, my family "group" is under my icloud.com acct, but all of my purchases (apps, music, whatever) are all under my yahoo.com acct. My iTunes cards are all tied to that yahoo acct as well and when I activated the family plan, my iTunes gift card balanced dropped by the $14.99 as I had expected. I think it's all set ok in that regard.

I wish this didn't hose up the app store structure I have. I may still tell my kids to let me know when they want an app (I toggled it so my wife and I can approve their requests in the app) and then I will buy it from my iPhone so they can still download. Otherwise, from what I read, if they buy an app, then even though we can all share, it's tied to their own apple ID forever instead of my apple ID (like I've been buying from since 2007 or 2008 or whatever).

 

[gsmornot]

From what I can tell, my family "group" is under my icloud.com acct, but all of my purchases (apps, music, whatever) are all under my yahoo.com acct. My iTunes cards are all tied to that yahoo acct as well and when I activated the family plan, my iTunes gift card balanced dropped by the $14.99 as I had expected. I think it's all set ok in that regard.

I wish this didn't hose up the app store structure I have. I may still tell my kids to let me know when they want an app (I toggled it so my wife and I can approve their requests in the app) and then I will buy it from my iPhone so they can still download. Otherwise, from what I read, if they buy an app, then even though we can all share, it's tied to their own apple ID forever instead of my apple ID (like I've been buying from since 2007 or 2008 or whatever).

Apps will be tied to their iTunes ID that you just moved them to. As long as they are connected to the family you will have access to them. You did pay for the app with your credit card but think long term. You kids will one day move away and want to take their apps with them which they now will be able to do. You would have to purchase again those apps they bought and take but by then your use might have changed anyhow.

I made the move for Apple Music family plan like you guys. I gave each person an iTunes login along with the iCloud login they had before. One nice thing is the lack of apps I have no interest in appearing on my devices. My kids would install something and because we would all share an iTunes login I would see it too. I could have turned that off on my device but wanted for the times I installed something. In the end with their age and use it just became easier to have everyone on an account they would keep long term. I wasn't sure at first but now I'm happy with the change. We have several more years before they move on so until then we have the ability to share.

 

[dmk1974]

I got it all figured out. The main account info that I had to change on everyone's device is their app store account. Attached is what I went from and to with those changed highlighted in yellow. Hope it helps anyone else thinking of making this conversion.

 

[dmk1974]

I made the move for Apple Music family plan like you guys. I gave each person an iTunes login along with the iCloud login they had before. One nice thing is the lack of apps I have no interest in appearing on my devices. My kids would install something and because we would all share an iTunes login I would see it too. I could have turned that off on my device but wanted for the times I installed something. In the end with their age and use it just became easier to have everyone on an account they would keep long term. I wasn't sure at first but now I'm happy with the change. We have several more years before they move on so until then we have the ability to share.

Yeah, they will eventually break off an have their own so that does make sense. I think for now though, if there is an app that isn't free, I'll still purchase it on my acct. But some of the free ones they want that I have no interest in, they can go right ahead. We tested it out last night where my daughter would request an app and my wife and I within seconds each got the pop up request to either approve or deny. Pretty cool.

 

[gsmornot]

Yeah, they will eventually break off an have their own so that does make sense. I think for now though, if there is an app that isn't free, I'll still purchase it on my acct. But some of the free ones they want that I have no interest in, they can go right ahead. We tested it out last night where my daughter would request an app and my wife and I within seconds each got the pop up request to either approve or deny. Pretty cool.

Understand. So, for now, you will buy the app with your login so that long term you have the app. Sounds good.
I started with the approval system for applications but found it to be no better than having them hand me the device. When they reach 13 it will not ask you for the free apps any longer. They don't have their iTunes passwords so I still have control of the cost apps.

 

[Ludatyk]

I got it all figured out. The main account info that I had to change on everyone's device is their app store account. Attached is what I went from and to with those changed highlighted in yellow. Hope it helps anyone else thinking of making this conversion.

Your Game Center should be tied to your iCloud account. Not the iTunes account.

 

[Peepo]

I setup mine as the master with my .me account. I added my old gmail account in as a virtual family member (equivalent of you dad@yahoo.com) because I didn't want a gmail account linked to my apple stuff anymore. Now it's just a fake family member so I can access old purchases made by it. I imagine as time goes on (in several years) I'll just trash it all together as I drop old paid apps into longer use.

 

[dmk1974]

Your Game Center should be tied to your iCloud account. Not the iTunes account.

Does it matter? The only game I play is Clash of Clans (kids got me hooked and now I'm an addict) and I don't want to change it and lose my base or something!

 

[Tech198]

Not only isn't family sharing worth it, its not wort the money for me...

Good for those who want control, but if u *know* a family member won't muck up your account, (eg doesn't have the knowledge to as your the only 'geek' in the house) then I share the same Apple id...

Parents don't know the password, and if she asks, i don't tell her. And all purchases are views across Apple TV's..

I see Family sharing only if you want control,,, more of a... "I don't trust you" kind of thing.


On PC where she surfs like crazy and has no idea what's going on, i do give her standard user account only.

 

[stiwi]

That's definitely one of the most informative threads about the issue most people faced with similar configs. The only mistake OP made on one of the illustration was giving an impression that App Store & Apple Music account could have been different - but that's not the case. In fact they should be in the same column as from what I understand, Apple Music does not have a separate logins. It's tied to iTunes / App Store account.

It's a pity because I have OP's original (old) setup and do not really want to change it.

Do you guys know if I were to buy storage and wanted to share it between family members, would they also have to change the iTunes / App Store account to the same they use for iCloud? Or perhaps storage sharing is NOT tied to iTunes / App Store account. Ideally I want my family members to keep the same iTunes / App Store account across the board but individual iCloud accounts for messages, backups etc. Question is if storage sharing would work in this case?