jennpolkmoore
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Q: iCloud storage and family sharing

We currently have a Mac Desktop, 3 iPhones, 3 iPads, and now a Macbook Pro. Because we have so many photos, and we want to access them from all of our devices, I purchased extra iCloud storage on the desktop computer. We use family sharing, with my husband's apple id as the organizer. I'm wondering why when I login to my Macbook pro, it says I only have 5 GB of iCloud storage. I assumed, since I am part of the family sharing, the storage would be shared. Is this incorrect or am I doing something wrong?

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Posted on Dec 28, 2015 6:02 PM

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jennpolkmoore

Q: iCloud storage and family sharing

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  • by zinacef,

    zinacef zinacef Dec 28, 2015 7:01 PM in response to jennpolkmoore
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    Dec 28, 2015 7:01 PM in response to jennpolkmoore

    iCloud storage isn't shared amongst the family members in Family Sharing.

     

    These are the things that can be Shared:

    - Music

    - TV Shows

    - Movies

    - Books

    - iOS Apps

    - Mac Apps


    These are the things that can't be Shared:

    - Ringtones

    - Audiobooks

    - In-App Purchases

    - Subscriptions

    - iCloud Storage

    - iTunes Match


    http://www.apple.com/icloud/family-sharing/

    Set up Family Sharing - Apple Support

    Family Sharing - Apple Support

  • by jennpolkmoore,

    jennpolkmoore jennpolkmoore Dec 28, 2015 7:09 PM in response to zinacef
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    Dec 28, 2015 7:09 PM in response to zinacef

    Ok, so I guess I am completely confused. Can I access all my photos that are on the "cloud" from any device in my house? Or do I have to be logged in as the user it is setup under?

  • by zinacef,

    zinacef zinacef Dec 28, 2015 7:13 PM in response to jennpolkmoore
    Level 4 (3,944 points)
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    Dec 28, 2015 7:13 PM in response to jennpolkmoore

    Once Family Sharing has been activated, you can access the Photos album(s).  I guess I forgot to include that in my post above...my bad.

     

    Now collecting and sharing family memories is easier and more fun. When Family Sharing is turned on, a shared album is set up automatically in the Photos app on all family members’ devices. Then everyone can add photos, videos, and comments to the album and be notified when something new is added. You can add or view photos and videos from iPhoto on your Mac, and from Photos on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with iOS 7 or later.

    Source -- Family Sharing - Apple Support

  • by jennpolkmoore,

    jennpolkmoore jennpolkmoore Dec 28, 2015 7:37 PM in response to zinacef
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    Dec 28, 2015 7:37 PM in response to zinacef

    I see that I can access shared albums, but what about all the photos that have been stored in the cloud? How can I access those on my Macbook?

  • by zinacef,

    zinacef zinacef Dec 28, 2015 7:38 PM in response to jennpolkmoore
    Level 4 (3,944 points)
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    Dec 28, 2015 7:38 PM in response to jennpolkmoore

    jennpolkmoore wrote:

     

    I see that I can access shared albums, but what about all the photos that have been stored in the cloud? How can I access those on my Macbook?

    Is Family Sharing turned on?

     

    When Family Sharing is turned on, a shared album is set up automatically in the Photos app on all family members’ devices.

  • by jennpolkmoore,

    jennpolkmoore jennpolkmoore Dec 28, 2015 7:44 PM in response to zinacef
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    Dec 28, 2015 7:44 PM in response to zinacef

    Yes, I can see the shared albums. I thought I would be able to see all the photos that are on our desktop computer from my laptop. Not all of those pictures are in shared albums.

  • by zinacef,

    zinacef zinacef Dec 28, 2015 7:45 PM in response to jennpolkmoore
    Level 4 (3,944 points)
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    Dec 28, 2015 7:45 PM in response to jennpolkmoore

    If those photos you speak of that's on your desktop computer not in iCloud then it can't be included in the sharing.

  • by jennpolkmoore,

    jennpolkmoore jennpolkmoore Dec 28, 2015 7:51 PM in response to zinacef
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    Dec 28, 2015 7:51 PM in response to zinacef

    I've set it up to store all of my photos in the cloud, as well as keeping originals on the computer. They don't have to be in a shared album to be in the cloud, do they?  I'm just wondering how I can access them from another device. I thought that was the purpose of the cloud.

  • by zinacef,

    zinacef zinacef Dec 28, 2015 7:54 PM in response to jennpolkmoore
    Level 4 (3,944 points)
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    Dec 28, 2015 7:54 PM in response to jennpolkmoore

    If you aren't seeing those specific photos then I'm guessing they weren't included in the iCloud Photo Sharing.  See if this helps -- iCloud Photo Sharing FAQ - Apple Support

  • by mdb288,

    mdb288 mdb288 Dec 28, 2015 9:28 PM in response to jennpolkmoore
    Level 1 (10 points)
    Dec 28, 2015 9:28 PM in response to jennpolkmoore

    i think the short answer is no...

     

    all the families photos do not go into a big common pile...instead you have separate piles of photos for  each Apple ID/iCloud storage

     

    even if all the Apple IDs are put together in a family you will not automatically see each other's photos...

     

    i was initially disappointed by this...we r at an event together and one family member takes a group photo and I want it to pop up on my phone...

     

    but I think it really is kind of a privacy issue...do you really want every photo automatically popping up on each family members phone...

     

    you you may do something with shared albums...not sure...