djv

Q: Using two Apple ID accounts on same User account

HI,

 

I've just bought my two kids, who are 7 and 9, an iPod Touch each. I'd like to set them up separate Apple IDs (with Family Sharing) so we can iMessage and use Find Friends - but I don't want to set them up seperate User Accounts on the Mac Mini we have (two User Accounts would be unnecessarily complicated for them).

 

All the advice I've found online seems to suggest two User Accounts, so can anyone tell me whether logging in and out of Apple IDs on the same iTunes would work for them (given that the Apple ID is used much wider than just iTunes by the Mac's system)?

 

Thanks!

Mac mini, OS X El Capitan (10.11.5)

Posted on May 17, 2016 9:20 PM

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Q: Using two Apple ID accounts on same User account

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  • by gail from maine,Helpful

    gail from maine gail from maine May 17, 2016 9:45 PM in response to djv
    Level 7 (26,129 points)
    iCloud
    May 17, 2016 9:45 PM in response to djv

    Using two Apple IDs on the same iTunes account will cause issues since the Apple IDs are both using Family Sharing. When iTunes is signed into with an Apple ID and any one of the following conditions is present:

     

    Download Past purchases

    Use Family Sharing

    Use iTunes Match

    Use Automatic Downloads

    Use iCloud Music Library

     

    The device or Mac becomes Associated with that Apple ID. Once the device or Mac is associated with one Apple ID, a different one that uses any of those services cannot sign in for 90 days. Once the 90 days is up, the second ID can sign in, but then it becomes associated with that ID.

     

    But if you are using Family Sharing, and the kids are under the age of 13, then they must be using Ask To Buy, and that would mean that the Organizer would be paying for all of their iTunes purchases anyway. So why not sign the Organizer's Apple ID into iTunes on the Mac Mini?

     

    Here is the Associated Devices Support Article FYI:

     

    View and remove associated devices in iTunes - Apple Support

     

    Cheers,

     

    GB

  • by djv,

    djv djv May 18, 2016 5:52 AM in response to gail from maine
    Level 1 (14 points)
    iTunes
    May 18, 2016 5:52 AM in response to gail from maine

    Thank you for your help.  That 90 day restriction clears things up and means what I wanted to do is definitely impossible...

     

    I think I may have to set up two user accounts because if I did use my Apple ID (as the organiser) it would also mean that the Mac Mini (which I don't use) would then get my iMessages too.

  • by gail from maine,Solvedanswer

    gail from maine gail from maine May 18, 2016 9:10 AM in response to djv
    Level 7 (26,129 points)
    iCloud
    May 18, 2016 9:10 AM in response to djv

    Not if you don't sign into the Messages app on the Mac....

     

    In fact, all you would want to sign into would be the iTunes and App Stores.

     

    Cheers,

     

    GB

  • by djv,

    djv djv May 18, 2016 10:02 AM in response to gail from maine
    Level 1 (14 points)
    iTunes
    May 18, 2016 10:02 AM in response to gail from maine

    But if I did it all as the Organiser I think my kids wouldn't be able to sync their iPods to that computer's iTunes to add songs... they'd need to be connected to an iTunes that's associated to their Apple ID, wouldn't they?

  • by gail from maine,

    gail from maine gail from maine May 18, 2016 1:29 PM in response to djv
    Level 7 (26,129 points)
    iCloud
    May 18, 2016 1:29 PM in response to djv

    You can authorize the Mac to all three IDs. That is different than associating them. To authorize all three, you would sign out the Organizer's name in iTunes, then sign in one of the other IDs, then click on Account in the top menu and then on Authorizations. Then you would click on "Authorize this Computer". This then authorizes the Apple ID you have signed in to play anything in the iTunes Library.

     

    It won't hurt to do this under any circumstances, but I'm not even sure you have to with Family Sharing. But again, since it can't hurt, I would do it for both IDs.

     

    Cheers,

     

    GB

  • by djv,

    djv djv May 18, 2016 1:28 PM in response to gail from maine
    Level 1 (14 points)
    iTunes
    May 18, 2016 1:28 PM in response to gail from maine

    Gail - you're a genius and a lifesaver. Was just about to create 2 new user accounts, one for each child (who frankly have spent their lives causing me extra bother, so it seemed par for the course) and I thought, "Why don't I wait for Gail's reply?' 

     

    Just successfully synced and added music to both iPod Touches using their shared account on the Mac Mini's iTunes. 

     

    Thanks so much!

  • by gail from maine,

    gail from maine gail from maine May 18, 2016 8:01 PM in response to djv
    Level 7 (26,129 points)
    iCloud
    May 18, 2016 8:01 PM in response to djv

    YAY!!! You are most welcome, and glad I could at least relieve you a bit of that insanity that comes with a 7 year old and a 9 year old!

     

    Cheers!

     

    GB