Kliegs

Q: Transition single iTunes account to Family Sharing

Hello -

 

My family currently shares a single iTunes account for iTunes purchases (App Store and music).

 

I am considering changing to Family Sharing - so we can each still share purchases, but also sign up for Apple Music.

 

How do I go about making this change? Our family iTunes account could be the "master" account, with the other 4 "individual" accounts as members?

 

What does that transition look like?

 

thanks!

MacBook Pro (15-inch Late 2008), OS X Yosemite (10.10.4), 2.66 C2D, 4GB, Samsung EVO SSD

Posted on Sep 20, 2016 1:29 PM

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Q: Transition single iTunes account to Family Sharing

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  • by ed2345,Apple recommended

    ed2345 ed2345 Sep 20, 2016 5:35 PM in response to Kliegs
    Level 7 (24,955 points)
    Sep 20, 2016 5:35 PM in response to Kliegs

    You can set your self up as the Family Organizer, make new accounts for the kids, and add the kids to the Family Sharing group: Family Sharing - Apple Support

     

    When you ask about "transition," you may be thinking that you can transfer past purchases to the kids' accounts.  Past purchases cannot be transferred, but can be shared.  Ditto for all future purchases, as long as the group stays together.

  • by Kliegs,

    Kliegs Kliegs Sep 20, 2016 6:07 PM in response to ed2345
    Level 1 (19 points)
    iTunes
    Sep 20, 2016 6:07 PM in response to ed2345

    Thanks, this is a start. Couple follow up question:

     

    1. Should the current "shared" account be the master of the family?

     

    2. Will we lose access to current iTunes Match music? If so, how do I properly prepare each person for the transition Family Sharing?

     

    3. Will we lose access to apps and music that have already been purchased on the "shared" account?

  • by ed2345,Apple recommended

    ed2345 ed2345 Sep 20, 2016 6:53 PM in response to Kliegs
    Level 7 (24,955 points)
    Sep 20, 2016 6:53 PM in response to Kliegs

    Kliegs wrote:

     

    Thanks, this is a start. Couple follow up question:

     

    1. Should the current "shared" account be the master of the family?

     

    2. Will we lose access to current iTunes Match music? If so, how do I properly prepare each person for the transition Family Sharing?

     

    3. Will we lose access to apps and music that have already been purchased on the "shared" account?

    Kliegs - to your questions:

     

    1.  Yes, that would be the logical thing, assuming that you meet the criteria for being the Family Organizer, i.e., are of legal age, have a credit card, and are willing to assume financial responsibility for the members.

     

    2.  Download any songs that do not already reside on your computer.  Give interested family members copies for their own iTunes libraries.

     

    3.  As long as they are in the Family Sharing group, they can share apps that you have bought.  Once the group breaks up, each member will only have the apps bought on their own accounts.

  • by Kliegs,

    Kliegs Kliegs Sep 22, 2016 12:46 PM in response to ed2345
    Level 1 (19 points)
    iTunes
    Sep 22, 2016 12:46 PM in response to ed2345

    Thanks again!

     

    1. Yes, I guess I'll make that account the admin account. Seems to make sense.

     

    2. Will Apple Music give any trouble if the song downloaded on the computer was downloaded via the "master" account (thus noted in the music file)? Or will that still be recognized?

     

    3. Good to know, thanks!

     

    I should probably test this on my personal account first, before dragging my family into this!

     

    -Kliegs

  • by ed2345,

    ed2345 ed2345 Sep 22, 2016 5:34 PM in response to Kliegs
    Level 7 (24,955 points)
    Sep 22, 2016 5:34 PM in response to Kliegs

    Kliegs,

     

    Per #2, signing up for Family Sharing does not automatically get you a family shared plan for Apple Music.  If only the Organizer has it, Apple Music songs will not be playable by the others, even if you have downloaded copies.  However, you can get a shared Apple Music plan for $15/month (USA).

     

    Good on #1 and #3.