MrMars

Q: itunes for multiple family members

My situation is I've been using iTunes since its inception and built quite a library. I've been through multiple ipods and now on to iphones for multiple family members. All the while using one itunes account on separate devices for multiple family members. Now that we have iphones its become necessary to create separate icloud accounts for each family member. This creates a problem for those with new icloud accounts. The iTunes music library can no longer be shared on separate devices (that I know of). The music library and playlists I have built over years cannot be shared with those devices that now have separate icloud accounts. I am aware of "family sharing" and have set that up going forward but how do I resolve the issue of all the music and playlists that were shared when we all used one itunes account, prior to creating separate icloud accounts? I hope this makes sense. For example my wife and son no longer have access to any of the music/playlists on their iphones that they used to have prior to creating their own accounts. Even though all purchases made before and after creating separate icloud accounts were made using the same credit card.

 

I believe I could just go back to having the other devices sign back into my itunes account and I think that may resolve the issue but what happens to purchases that were made on the other devices while they were signed into their own accounts? Another point that comes up is that we all have gift card balances on each itunes account. This is so confusing

iPhone 6, iOS 8

Posted on Mar 28, 2015 6:43 PM

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Q: itunes for multiple family members

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  • by ed2345,Apple recommended

    ed2345 ed2345 Mar 28, 2015 6:49 PM in response to MrMars
    Level 7 (24,970 points)
    Mar 28, 2015 6:49 PM in response to MrMars

    Mr. Mars,

     

    The easiest way would be to use Family Sharing.  Set yourself up as the "Family Organizer," and invite the other accounts to be members of your group.  Everybody will still be able to use the credit on their individual iTunes accounts.

     

    Read up here =>   Family Sharing:  A new way to bring harmony to your family’s digital life  and decide if this is right for your situation.

  • by MrMars,

    MrMars MrMars Mar 28, 2015 6:59 PM in response to ed2345
    Level 1 (12 points)
    iTunes
    Mar 28, 2015 6:59 PM in response to ed2345

    I mentioned I had family sharing set up going forward. Will any songs she purchases be dumped into my iTunes library and be visible via iTunes on my pc?

  • by ed2345,Apple recommended

    ed2345 ed2345 Mar 28, 2015 7:08 PM in response to MrMars
    Level 7 (24,970 points)
    Mar 28, 2015 7:08 PM in response to MrMars

    MrMars wrote:

     

    I mentioned I had family sharing set up going forward. Will any songs she purchases be dumped into my iTunes library and be visible via iTunes on my pc?

     

    Not exactly "dumped."  More like "made available for download."  See  Sharing purchased content with Family Sharing - Apple Support

  • by MrMars,

    MrMars MrMars Mar 28, 2015 7:15 PM in response to ed2345
    Level 1 (12 points)
    iTunes
    Mar 28, 2015 7:15 PM in response to ed2345

      Thanks, I'll check out that link.

  • by MrMars,

    MrMars MrMars Mar 28, 2015 7:35 PM in response to ed2345
    Level 1 (12 points)
    iTunes
    Mar 28, 2015 7:35 PM in response to ed2345

    Its beginning to make more sense too me. Her downloads are not automatically download into my account but they are available too me if I want them. Does this all have to be done from my iPhone or can I view and download her purchases via iTunes on my pc?

  • by ed2345,

    ed2345 ed2345 Mar 29, 2015 4:39 AM in response to MrMars
    Level 7 (24,970 points)
    Mar 29, 2015 4:39 AM in response to MrMars

    MrMars wrote:

     

    Its beginning to make more sense too me. Her downloads are not automatically download into my account but they are available too me if I want them.

    Yes, exactly.

     

    Does this all have to be done from my iPhone or can I view and download her purchases via iTunes on my pc?

    Not sure about iTunes on a PC.  iTunes on a Mac, yes, and iPhone/iPad, yes.

  • by MrMars,

    MrMars MrMars Mar 29, 2015 12:43 PM in response to ed2345
    Level 1 (12 points)
    iTunes
    Mar 29, 2015 12:43 PM in response to ed2345

    Thanks for the help. After sitting down at my pc and exploring iTunes a little more I've discovered that if I click on my name in the upper right side a drop down appears with the "family purchases" option. There I can view what other family members have purchased and add those items (songs, apps, books etc..) to my own library. This is great news as I've been struggling with this issue for some time. Mainly because my wife is a little old school and likes to put music on CD's and this solves that problem. Thanks again!!

  • by ed2345,Helpful

    ed2345 ed2345 Mar 29, 2015 4:20 PM in response to MrMars
    Level 7 (24,970 points)
    Mar 29, 2015 4:20 PM in response to MrMars

    This is great news as I've been struggling with this issue for some time. Mainly because my wife is a little old school and likes to put music on CD's and this solves that problem. Thanks again!!

    Mr Mars,

    You are welcome!  I hope you have achieved the expected degree of "harmony." 

    Family Sharing:  A new way to bring harmony to your family’s digital life

    Ed.