Family Sharing error - You cannot start family sharing - because I am part of my own family - but I am the orgaizer

Hello.


I have Family Sharing setup for my son. On any device under my apple id, it tells me I can't start family sharing because I am a part of _____(my own name) family.


It was discovered when I tried to use the Find my iPhone App to find my son's phone and noticed his device was not listed.


Since, I have called Apple Support and an now waiting on engineers to figure out what is happening.


I have signed in an out of everything, and even reset factory settings, updated my software via iTunes to test without my data on it whit Apple Support and the problem persists.


Icloud.com shows me as the organizer of our family sharing group.


Also, I am unable to access my Apple ID to manage it anywhere. Throws an unknown error on a browser or just spins on a device.


My son's phone doesn't list any of the devices under my Apple ID.


I've only had one Apple ID and know the password and all security questions.


I think I've stumped Apple.


Anyone?


Thanks in advance.

Holly

Posted on Aug 23, 2019 10:26 AM

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8 replies

Aug 27, 2019 11:08 AM in response to pinkapplemac

I'm having many of the same problems


iPhone/iPad


I have Family Sharing set up, but when I go to Settings-> (USER NAME - Apple ID, iCloud, etc...), where I would normally go to see my family, the button says "Set Up Family Sharing", and when I click, I get a "Cannot Start Family Sharing. You are part of (my name)'s family. You need to leave [...]". I am the organizer. When I check on my spouse's phone, she can see the family info without issues. I have had Family Sharing set up for some time, and have never had any issues until recently. Given all this, I am still able to access my family's purchases, and can download songs & apps without any issues.


When I try to access "Name, Phone Numbers, Email" or "Password & Security" under the Apple ID menu, I get the spinning wheel and nothing happens.


When I am on Wi-Fi, under the Apple ID menu, all my devices are not visible, I only get a message saying "Trusted devices list is not available". When I am on cellular, however, they are listed.



MacBook


I also cannot sign in to my Apple ID on the website, I get the message "An unknown error has occurred", and this is after I have correctly inputted my password, and typed in the two-factor authorization code. (I have the same issue on my iPhone/iPad browser)


If I try to access "Account Details" under the iCloud menu on my MacBook, I get an error stating: "Account Details could not be opened because of an error connecting to iCloud"


I am able to log in to iCloud.com, however, and if I try to access "Manage Family" menu on my MacBook, I am able to see the family info.


Like you, I contacted Apple Support a few days ago, and spent 2 hours attempting to troubleshoot, to no avail. I sent over some screenshots and am awaiting a callback as it is currently with the Apple engineers. I even did the iOS 12.4.1 update this morning, and there are no changes.


I've been searching support posts for a few days and this is the first one I've found that has a lot of the same issues as me. I'm not sure how widespread or how old these issues are, but hopefully some light will be shed on this.



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Family Sharing error - You cannot start family sharing - because I am part of my own family - but I am the orgaizer

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