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How Do My Family Members Get Access to Expanded iCloud+ Storage?

I enabled iCloud+ family sharing. I never saw an option to allocate iCloud+ storage to any family member. My family members do not see any option to access expanded iCloud storage.


I've read the support articles that state that during the sharing process, I have the option to choose how much storage to share with each family member. But I never saw any option to do so.


In summary, how do I ensure that my family members each have access to 1TB iCloud storage?


Thank you to anyone who can suggest solutions.

MacBook Air 15″, macOS 13.5

Posted on Sep 29, 2023 4:34 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Sep 29, 2023 4:54 PM

re: "I've read the support articles that state that during the sharing process, I have the option to choose how much storage to share with each family member."

What support article is that?


Unless there has been a very recent change that I'm not aware of and the article Share iCloud+ with your family - Apple Support was'nt updated, you don't have any option to choose how much is shared with each family member. Any family member can use any or all of the available shared storage plan.


If the family member only had the free 5GB plan when you shared the storage, they should have automatically been added to the family plan storage. If they had an upgraded plan, they have the option to stay with their own plan or to switch to the shared plan. See the information in Share iCloud+ with your family - Apple Support including the following:

When you share iCloud+, any family members using the free 5GB plan are added to your family plan automatically.


If a family member is already paying for their own iCloud+ plan, they can choose to switch to your plan or keep their own and still remain part of the family. When they switch to the shared family plan, they get a refund for the remainder of their personal plan. They can't keep their current plan and use the shared family plan at the same time.


If you shared the storage as described in Share iCloud+ with your family - Apple Support and they don't have access to the shared storage, contact Apple Support. See: Contact - Official Apple Support



2 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Sep 29, 2023 4:54 PM in response to long-time dot mac user

re: "I've read the support articles that state that during the sharing process, I have the option to choose how much storage to share with each family member."

What support article is that?


Unless there has been a very recent change that I'm not aware of and the article Share iCloud+ with your family - Apple Support was'nt updated, you don't have any option to choose how much is shared with each family member. Any family member can use any or all of the available shared storage plan.


If the family member only had the free 5GB plan when you shared the storage, they should have automatically been added to the family plan storage. If they had an upgraded plan, they have the option to stay with their own plan or to switch to the shared plan. See the information in Share iCloud+ with your family - Apple Support including the following:

When you share iCloud+, any family members using the free 5GB plan are added to your family plan automatically.


If a family member is already paying for their own iCloud+ plan, they can choose to switch to your plan or keep their own and still remain part of the family. When they switch to the shared family plan, they get a refund for the remainder of their personal plan. They can't keep their current plan and use the shared family plan at the same time.


If you shared the storage as described in Share iCloud+ with your family - Apple Support and they don't have access to the shared storage, contact Apple Support. See: Contact - Official Apple Support



Sep 29, 2023 5:05 PM in response to FoxFifth

Thank you very much for the reply. I cannot find again the article that old me I would have the option to allocate storage but I distinctly remember reading it.


I actually was using my relative's iPad on his behalf (he is elderly) to accept the invitation while also using my MacBook Air to initiate the sharing. In accepting on behalf of my relative, there was never the option to expand storage.


I will contact Official Apple Support per your suggestion.


Thank you, again, for your assistance.

How Do My Family Members Get Access to Expanded iCloud+ Storage?

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