I would like to know the correct way to set up a child Family Sharing account. The instructions dead end at "add a payment method" in the App Store. I have done this and that's where the process continues to end... There is no further instructions. I work in tech and am quite good at following instructions. Any suggestions...? I'd like to set up an account for my daughter. Thanks, ~Bb
Hello,
I’m not sure which part exactly you are stuck on. If this doesn’t help please provide more info. Is this how you are creating the Apple ID for your child? Create an Apple ID for your child - Apple Support
To create a child’s Apple ID the parent/guardian needs to provide parental consent. To verify your identity, without Touch or Face ID, you would need to provide some card info for a payment method on your Apple ID. You also would need to verify the payment method for purchase sharing consent.
If you recently added that payment method to your Apple ID it may be awaiting verification from your financial institution. Once verified the “add payment information” will likely change to something about verifying using card info.
Since you are being directed to the App Store I assume this is happening on macOS. Make sure the card is showing in System Preferences > Apple ID > Payment & Shipping and that your Apple ID is listed in the Media & Purchases section.
Set up your Apple ID payment method and shipping address on Mac - Apple Support
Set up your Apple ID media and purchase settings on Mac - Apple Support
It also may be helpful to close then reopen both the App Store and System Preferences apps or shutdown then turn on your device.
I hope this helps.
Hello,
I’m not sure which part exactly you are stuck on. If this doesn’t help please provide more info. Is this how you are creating the Apple ID for your child? Create an Apple ID for your child - Apple Support
To create a child’s Apple ID the parent/guardian needs to provide parental consent. To verify your identity, without Touch or Face ID, you would need to provide some card info for a payment method on your Apple ID. You also would need to verify the payment method for purchase sharing consent.
If you recently added that payment method to your Apple ID it may be awaiting verification from your financial institution. Once verified the “add payment information” will likely change to something about verifying using card info.
Since you are being directed to the App Store I assume this is happening on macOS. Make sure the card is showing in System Preferences > Apple ID > Payment & Shipping and that your Apple ID is listed in the Media & Purchases section.
Set up your Apple ID payment method and shipping address on Mac - Apple Support
Set up your Apple ID media and purchase settings on Mac - Apple Support
It also may be helpful to close then reopen both the App Store and System Preferences apps or shutdown then turn on your device.
I hope this helps.
13 is the limit for child accounts which require direct parental supervision, but you can use Screen Time on any account, and other features such as Ask To Buy can be enabled on accounts up to age 17.
See how to 'Use Screen Time on an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch' by clicking here --> https://support.apple.com/HT208982
Use parental controls on your child's iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support
Sorry I am late to reply. User Limnos gave a great response. I just wanted to add a couple more items in case it wasn’t clear.
For tech companies managing protection for children via their guardian vs. protecting children's privacy is a very big grey area.
Children under 13 can have their iMessage, Contacts, and other very private areas controlled by their guardian. After 13 they can create an Apple ID on their own. If under 18, you can add them to the family group with the ability to control the areas mentioned but not everything they do.
This article talks about setting up an iOS device. Help your child set up an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support
If this is on a macOS device, I suggest first setting it up using your Apple ID. By default you will be an Administrator level user of the device. You could then create a standard level user account for them to use with their own Apple ID.
Hi Scott:
thanks! I’ll go through the process again and see if it works. Another question, though: Why is 13 years old the cut-off? In my experience, that’s exactly the year where limitations and monitoring become necessary for many. Just wondering.
Thanks! Bill
I meant to say “the areas *Limnos mentioned” about the controls after 13.
Instructions for setting up a child account on Family Sharing a dead end...
