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I don't want files to automatically share with family.
- Thread starter Blowie.P
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As has been pointed out to you, each member needs their own Apple ID to stop this happening.
Check out the apple guide on how to set it up
support.apple.com
Best
Check out the apple guide on how to set it up
Set up Family Sharing – Apple Support (UK)
You can start a new family group and invite people to join, or you can join someone else's family group.
Thanks for replies.
The shared files were screenshots and one or two folders, saved on my desktop., on my computer.
It looks (to my uninformed eyes) like his desktop is mirroring mine.
I had set up a separate 'school' user on his laptop and I wanted him to use it it only for school stuff, so was surprised to see some of my files saved on the desktop there.
He has his own Apple ID.
The shared files were screenshots and one or two folders, saved on my desktop., on my computer.
It looks (to my uninformed eyes) like his desktop is mirroring mine.
I had set up a separate 'school' user on his laptop and I wanted him to use it it only for school stuff, so was surprised to see some of my files saved on the desktop there.
He has his own Apple ID.
Setting up a new user account on a Mac isn't related to Family Sharing. That's for services like Apple Arcade, Music, Apple TV+, iCloud storage sharing, etc. which your son would log into on his laptop using his Apple ID. Family Sharing allows you as the family organizer to control the content and options for a child's family sharing account (that is, his account under his Apple ID). That's different than his macOS user account on that laptop.
What type of user did you set up his school account as and is File Sharing enabled? What macOS version and what Mac laptop is this on?
What type of user did you set up his school account as and is File Sharing enabled? What macOS version and what Mac laptop is this on?
Change Users & Groups settings on Mac
On your Mac, set up individual user accounts or groups, let occasional users log in as guests, and change network account server settings.
support.apple.com
thanks again for reply and for patients with my newbiness.
the user account I set up for his school work was just a standard one
my laptop in a MacBook Pro and his is a MacBook Air, both newish and both using up to date OS.
neither of us have any boxes ticked in Sharing in System Preferences. (except for 'Printers')
Now I am noticing that when either of us takes a screenshot it appears on the others' desktop. Maybe that is the extent of the sharing, but I still would prefer if it didn't happen...
the user account I set up for his school work was just a standard one
my laptop in a MacBook Pro and his is a MacBook Air, both newish and both using up to date OS.
neither of us have any boxes ticked in Sharing in System Preferences. (except for 'Printers')
Now I am noticing that when either of us takes a screenshot it appears on the others' desktop. Maybe that is the extent of the sharing, but I still would prefer if it didn't happen...
On your son's MBA, if he is logged into his user account and logged into iCloud with his account, does this still happen? It sounds like you've got iCloud Desktop & Documents enabled for your iCloud account, and because that might also be the iCloud account on his MBA, it might explain why some documents are appearing on the desktop. I'm not able to test this for you, but it might be worth a look in the settings on your son's MBA. You can confirm on your MBP settings under iCloud whether you've got Desktop & Documents enabled.
Thank you very much again Namara (and Ruggy) , I think you have solved my problem. I unticked the Desktop and Documents box in the iCloud preferences on both our laptops and the unwanted shared screen grabs have disappeared from my desktop. I hope that's it done.
I have to say, I am baffled by the various permutations of the links between all the family's Apple devices, iCloud IDs, Apple IDs, photos stored in the cloud , what is shared , accessible to whom etc.
I have some research to do....
Thanks again!
I have to say, I am baffled by the various permutations of the links between all the family's Apple devices, iCloud IDs, Apple IDs, photos stored in the cloud , what is shared , accessible to whom etc.
I have some research to do....
Thanks again!
You're welcome. You can think of it like this: for any device in which you're logged into your iCloud account, you will have access to all of the apps you've enabled for iCloud. Hope you know it's OK to ask any questions about this here any time.
iCloud User Guide
Use iCloud to keep photos, files, data, and more up to date across your iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, Apple TV, and Windows PC, and on iCloud.com.
support.apple.com
He says his son had his own iclould account...I hope this isn't the case, I want to share the 2TB iCloud storage but certainly don't want all my family's junk on my laptop and phone.