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Miss Jenna
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: Is there a way for a family using same Apple ID to use 'Find My Friends'?

It seems to be setup off Apple ID - which means you can only setup 1 device? That can't be right. Would they be so dumb to develop it this way? It brags that you can "see when your kids get to school"... Well, not if they're using my Apple ID I can't!  I would hope they'd thought of this in advance.  Please - anyone,Is there another way?

Posted on Sep 26, 2012 3:53 PM

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Miss Jenna

Q: Is there a way for a family using same Apple ID to use 'Find My Friends'?

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  • Helpful answers

  • by randers4,

    randers4 randers4 Sep 26, 2012 4:14 PM in response to Miss Jenna
    Level 9 (62,891 points)
    Sep 26, 2012 4:14 PM in response to Miss Jenna

    I don't use the app but I believe you are correct, it is tied to an Apple ID so each person would need there own.  You can sign up for free Apple IDs here: https://appleid.apple.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MyAppleId.woa/.

  • by theIRISHjerk,

    theIRISHjerk theIRISHjerk Sep 26, 2012 5:20 PM in response to Miss Jenna
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 26, 2012 5:20 PM in response to Miss Jenna

    I am having the same issue.

    There is no possible way Apple didn't think this the whole way thru!

    Why in the world would I want to create an new Apple ID for everyone in my family & over complicate things?!?  "Face Time" and "Messages" can tie several devices to on Apple ID driven by contact email or phone number.  I am hard pressed to believe that Find my Friends can't be set up in a similar format.

     

    Please help because this is frustrating me to the point of smashing an iPhone or 2!!

  • by randers4,

    randers4 randers4 Sep 26, 2012 5:26 PM in response to theIRISHjerk
    Level 9 (62,891 points)
    Sep 26, 2012 5:26 PM in response to theIRISHjerk

    I'm not arguing with your point of view on this, but the recommended approach is for everyone to have their own ID.   If you try to use the same ID for iMessage on multiple devices this will lead to problems with everyone getting each other's messages.  It's best to use different IDs for iMessage and other services, even while sharing the same ID for purchasing.  This article may be of interest in this regard: http://www.macstories.net/stories/ios-5-icloud-tips-sharing-an-apple-id-with-you r-family/.

  • by theIRISHjerk,

    theIRISHjerk theIRISHjerk Sep 26, 2012 5:37 PM in response to randers4
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 26, 2012 5:37 PM in response to randers4

    I have never (and do not currently) have any issues with iMessage.  You can adjust in the settings menu as to where you are reached at.

    There HAS GOT TO BE something simliar for Find My Friends!

    I have (on the other hand) had issues with my fiance' creating a second Apple ID and having our purchases, payments, Apple Store shipments, and syncing.

  • by randers4,Helpful

    randers4 randers4 Sep 26, 2012 5:45 PM in response to theIRISHjerk
    Level 9 (62,891 points)
    Sep 26, 2012 5:45 PM in response to theIRISHjerk

    You're lucky if you haven't had any issues with iMessage if you're sharing an Apple ID for this.  I see multiple people getting each other's mesages every day by doing this.  And you don't have to use different IDs for purchasing; you can share an ID for purchasing and use different IDs for everything else; they don't have to be the same.

     

    Like I said, I'm not arguing with your point of view.  If it works for you to use one ID do so.  I'm just saying it isn't ideal for most people.

  • by pvonk,

    pvonk pvonk Sep 26, 2012 6:00 PM in response to theIRISHjerk
    Level 6 (13,739 points)
    Sep 26, 2012 6:00 PM in response to theIRISHjerk

    The whole idea of icloud is that all devices connected to the same icloud account will be synced identically (or at least for the services that are turned on).  Thus each user should have their own icloud account.  That's how it's designed and intended to be used.

  • by Miss Jenna,

    Miss Jenna Miss Jenna Sep 26, 2012 7:40 PM in response to randers4
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 26, 2012 7:40 PM in response to randers4

    Irish - No, no..No arguing.  I appreciate the suggestion as that's exactly the type of info I'm looking for. I kinda get it, but I think the point where I get confused is when it comes time to sync. Because the cloud just really screws me up. And we've already had an incident of merging data that we didn't want merged.

     

    I like this idea that you suggest: of differenet id's for everything but iTunes/Music/Purchase. There are 3 of us that use this computer and sync to this iTunes account.

     

    Getting it setup, then setting up icloud, and then syncing - everything had to be just right. Eeek.

     

    I'll think through this some more, but Thank You for the suggestion.

  • by randers4,Helpful

    randers4 randers4 Sep 26, 2012 7:53 PM in response to Miss Jenna
    Level 9 (62,891 points)
    Sep 26, 2012 7:53 PM in response to Miss Jenna

    You're welcome.  Also, here are some ideas to sync multiple devices on the same computer: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1495.

  • by Miss Jenna,

    Miss Jenna Miss Jenna Sep 28, 2012 5:33 PM in response to randers4
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 28, 2012 5:33 PM in response to randers4

    I'm a dork. It's too bad you can't "edit" previous posts of your own. In my post above I put "Irish" - apparently I'd looked at the wrong name! D'Oh!

     

    Will check it out. Thanks again and have a great weekend.

  • by randers4,

    randers4 randers4 Sep 28, 2012 5:52 PM in response to Miss Jenna
    Level 9 (62,891 points)
    Sep 28, 2012 5:52 PM in response to Miss Jenna

    You too.