iCloud & Family Sharing
We would really like to add my elderly father-in-law to our Family Sharing. Problem is, he is very paranoid and “old school” and refuses to activate his iCloud. Is there any way he can be added without the iCloud activation?
iCloud is Apple's catch-all for its services using the Internet to sync and share between devices and accounts (with Family Sharing). It has different components. There isn't a single switch to turn it all on and off. Some components of Family Sharing do use iCloud but you can be selective as to which ones you wish to use and realize that by not accepting those you will not be able to use that specific feature.
See:
Change your iCloud feature settings [iOS and Mac] - https://support.apple.com/HT207689
Set up iCloud on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - https://support.apple.com/kb/HT208681
Depending upon what it is you wish to share, a limited set may be available with AirDrop (e.g. photos).
How to use AirDrop on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch --> https://support.apple.com/HT204144
Use AirDrop on your Mac -
https://support.apple.com/HT203106
