HT201060: Family Sharing

Learn about Family Sharing
marcvv
Level 1 (1 points)

Q: Which iTunes account ID to use for family sharing? Master account or each individual icloud account?

I am confused regarding which iTunes account ID each member of my family should use on their iDevices and Mac's for Family Sharing.

 

Here is my scenario.  Originally everyone was under one single iTunes account.  Then came icloud so me, wife and child all have our own separate icloud ID's.  On our iphones/ipads we all sign into icloud using our individual personal icloud ID's.  To date we have been entering the original single iTunes master account for the iTunes ID on each device/mac.

 

Now with family sharing enabled I am trying to understand if my wife and son should enter their Apple ID (iCloud ID) for both the iCloud as well as the iTunes ID.  Or should they use the original single master iTunes account we have been using for many years?

 

When I setup Family sharing I used the master account (my wife's apple ID) and my personal iCloud ID which is different. I am the organizer.  When I tried changing the iTunes ID on any of our devices to our respective icloud ID's we no longer see each others purchases in the app store. 

 

I thought the Family sharing made it so the main billing Apple ID account did not have to be given or shared with other members of the family when Family Share was setup? 

 

Just confused and all the apple support and instructions say nothing about which ID to use.  Furthermore when I do put in the original iTunes ID and open up the app store on my ipad it has a message that my icloud id and itunes id are different on that device. 

 

So should each member of the family share be using their iCloud ID for BOTH iCloud and iTunes or should we all be using the same iTunes login ID?

 

thanks

iPhone 6 Plus, iOS 9.1

Posted on Nov 10, 2015 5:39 PM

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marcvv

Q: Which iTunes account ID to use for family sharing? Master account or each individual icloud account?

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  • Helpful answers

  • by UGADog,

    UGADog UGADog Nov 10, 2015 6:06 PM in response to marcvv
    Level 4 (1,902 points)
    Mac OS X
    Nov 10, 2015 6:06 PM in response to marcvv

    The way Apple intends Family sharing is for each person to have their own Apple ID.  You can then access most content that each other has purchased though finding how is not exactly intuitive.

     

    In your situation, you need to set up a family of four, including you (family organizer?), your wife, your child, and your "Master Apple ID".  This way all of you can access content from the master.

     

    To access purchased apps from another family member, in App Store on the device you want to add the app, App Store > Updates > Purchased > Choose name of ID app was purchased, find and install app.  Note MOST apps, not all, allow family sharing.

     

    To access a family member's iTunes content, Open iTunes Store > More > Purchased > choose family member ID.  Note MOST content, not all, allows Family Sharing.

  • by marcvv,

    marcvv marcvv Nov 11, 2015 10:22 AM in response to UGADog
    Level 1 (1 points)
    Nov 11, 2015 10:22 AM in response to UGADog

    Ok so on each iphone should we all enter the Master Apple ID as the itunes account ID or enter our own individual iCloud ID?

  • by UGADog,

    UGADog UGADog Nov 11, 2015 6:34 PM in response to marcvv
    Level 4 (1,902 points)
    Mac OS X
    Nov 11, 2015 6:34 PM in response to marcvv

    You can do it either way, but if you want to tailor your music experience and videos to the individual, which may become important with the child sooner than later, I would sign each family member into their own apple id in iTunes.  With the Master Apple ID as a family member, each can download their favorite songs from the Master ID.  The idea is that each family member has their own tastes and may not want all that the master ID contains.  Yet with family sharing, if family members want to share, each can access each other's content.  Following this concept, when the child is ready to go into the world on their own and start their own family, they can take their music with them.  So I would let the Master Apple ID whither over time.  Over time it would potentially become a behemoth everyone has a hard time searching for for their stuff.  Also there is no privacy in the Master Apple ID.  These may be important for a growing family that doesn't necessarily want common knowledge of each others interests. 

  • by marcvv,

    marcvv marcvv Nov 12, 2015 9:48 AM in response to UGADog
    Level 1 (1 points)
    Nov 12, 2015 9:48 AM in response to UGADog

    I notice when we all use the same iTunes ID on each device then go to the App store the drop down menu top left under purchases shows each family member.  From there you can pick. 

     

    When we all use our individual iCloud ID's for the iTunes authentication that menu disappears.  There is no way to see other family members purchases.  It's like when iCloud ID's are used to login to iTunes on each device family sharing is completely off. 

  • by UGADog,

    UGADog UGADog Nov 12, 2015 10:49 AM in response to marcvv
    Level 4 (1,902 points)
    Mac OS X
    Nov 12, 2015 10:49 AM in response to marcvv

    If Family Sharing is set up properly, the purchase information in iTunes will be there.  You or your wife should be family organizer.  Master ID as part of family. 

     

    iTunes Store

    When logged into your own App and iTunes store Apple ID, In iTunes Store app on iDevice, from the iOS device you want to add content too, choose More at bottom right of screen > Purchased > Choose Family member that purchased item > Choose type of purchase > Choose item > click cloud icon with down arrow to add to shopping family member's device.

     

    App Store

    When logged into your own App and iTunes store Apple ID, In App Store app on iDevice, from the iOS device you want to add an app a family member purchased (including master Apple ID), Choose Updates from the lower right corner > Purchased from top > choose Family Member who purchased app, Find app in list and click Free or cloud icon with down arrow.

  • by marcvv,

    marcvv marcvv Nov 12, 2015 3:03 PM in response to UGADog
    Level 1 (1 points)
    Nov 12, 2015 3:03 PM in response to UGADog

    Ok it appears to be working ok now. thanks. 

     

    Only question is this message in the app store in quotes below.  I see it on my ipads.  Not sure if it is meaningless and just informational only? 

     

    "this itunes account is setup to use family sharing with a different icloud account"

     

    My wife's ID is now setup as the Family Organizer.  Me and my son both are now logged into both icloud and itunes on all our devices using our own Apple ID's. 

  • by UGADog,

    UGADog UGADog Nov 12, 2015 4:07 PM in response to marcvv
    Level 4 (1,902 points)
    Mac OS X
    Nov 12, 2015 4:07 PM in response to marcvv

    I have not run into that message, but it sounds to me like there is confusion about which family the itunes account is a member of.  For instance, was the master ID family organizer in the past and the devices giving the message part of that family?  When you get that message, it there a learn more link?  If so follow it and paste link here if you'd like help interpreting it. 

  • by UGADog,

    UGADog UGADog Nov 12, 2015 4:23 PM in response to UGADog
    Level 4 (1,902 points)
    Mac OS X
    Nov 12, 2015 4:23 PM in response to UGADog

    On the device that is having trouble, go to Settings > iCloud > Family Sharing > Then tap on the user of the device you are on.  Under "Family Purchases" does  it have the AppleID of the person for that device?

  • by marcvv,

    marcvv marcvv Nov 13, 2015 9:09 AM in response to UGADog
    Level 1 (1 points)
    Nov 13, 2015 9:09 AM in response to UGADog

    Yes.  On my ipad it shows my apple id as the one being used for Family sharing.  So my iCloud, iTunes and Family sharing are all my AppleID.  This is why the message is unclear. 

     

    Only thing I can think of for that message is that it means the MasterID organizer is different from mine?

     

    Everything seems to be working OK. I can view other family member purchases and they can view mine.

  • by UGADog,

    UGADog UGADog Nov 13, 2015 10:36 AM in response to marcvv
    Level 4 (1,902 points)
    Mac OS X
    Nov 13, 2015 10:36 AM in response to marcvv

    Well that's good that Family Sharing is working, but annoying to get a message like that repeatedly I bet. 

     

    The master ID should not be family organizer.  It should be you or your wife as over time the master ID will have fewer and fewer relevant purchases as real family members make the purchases.  If you have Master ID as organizer, I suggest you change that.  That may be causing the the message this itunes account is setup to use family sharing with a different icloud account too.  IDK for sure.

  • by texncali,

    texncali texncali Apr 21, 2016 3:31 PM in response to UGADog
    Level 1 (8 points)
    iCloud
    Apr 21, 2016 3:31 PM in response to UGADog

    Thank you for your response and very well explained!! I have spent so much time looking for answers to help and you were the only person to suggest adding the Master ID as a family member. Quite genius and best help out there yet! You need to write Apple's tutorials!

     

    Wish I had known this before setting up a family account and adding apple music.You can't even try trouble shooting because Apple only allows a device to be associated with a different Apple ID every 90 days! I messed myself up trying to figure this all out and now have to wait 90 days. If they would just allow us to merge accounts there wouldn't be all this confusion. I love Apple products but they sure haven't taken all this into consideration as they have evolved. If it were physical merchandise it wouldn't be treated this way. There is such a desire to control in this digital age. (Glad I got that off my chest!)

  • by UGADog,

    UGADog UGADog Apr 21, 2016 9:07 PM in response to texncali
    Level 4 (1,902 points)
    Mac OS X
    Apr 21, 2016 9:07 PM in response to texncali

    Hey Texncali, glad I could help.  I think I will make this a user tip once I have the reputation points that I can author such things.  It is a common enough problem and affects my family too. 

     

    Too bad about the Apple ID association.  I understand Apple is trying to protect their and their app developers digital rights with that rule, but I agree 90 days seems a bit harsh.