Level 1

27 points

Convert existing Apple ID to Child Apple ID

Hello Everyone,

Due to the number of Apple devices in our home, and being personalized to each other my children (both under 13) have their own Apple devices. Because my wife and I did not want them to have access to our accounts, I created separate Apple IDs with their names and my date of birth, but I manage (They don't know passwords, etc). so that they could use facetime and iMessage with their grandparents from their own devices. As they have gotten older, they have also developed their own taste in music and apps and have used the different Apple IDs with iTunes cards they get for gifts sometimes and as rewards.

With the roll out of iOS and Family sharing I now have a situation where it would be nice to share some (not all) of the purchases spread across 4 accounts but when I add my children's accounts under family sharing it shows them as adults , Appleid.apple.com wont allow me to modify the birthdays for my kids to the correct dates.

I know for a fact I am not the only one in this situation, so I'm asking the following

Is there a way to convert my kid's existing Apple IDs to the new Child Apple ID accounts so that I can approve iTunes purchases if I link them through family sharing?

iPhone 5, iOS 6.0.1

Posted on Sep 17, 2014 12:45 PM

Top-ranking reply

reu2

Level 1

4 points

Posted on Sep 30, 2014 1:03 PM

That doesn't work if the child is under 13. You just get an error stating that you can not change the birthday at this time.

I just spent some time with Apple Support and while they didn't give me a solution, I figured out the answer.

Apple doesn't allow anyone under the age of 13 to create their own Apple ID. For Family sharing they created a sub-set ID system to allow an adult to create a minor iCloud ID for the child.

In short, you have to create a new ID via Family Sharing, an option on your iPhone at the bottom of the Family settings "Create an Apple ID for a child". If you had a pre-Family Sharing child account, in which you had to make up a birthday of 13 or older (like I did but had forgotten), you must abandon it. There is not way to convert it. I'm hoping I can delete it, and then add the address as an alias in the new child account.

It *****, but it's currently the only way. Please do as I did and submit feedback, expressing your aggravation to Apple here https://www.apple.com/feedback/

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104 replies

Sep 30, 2014 1:07 PM in response to reu2

Bummer. Well, I'm not deleting his account, he already has a lot of stuff in there. Guess that's it then.

But hey, thanks for your help. 🙂

jmvdkolk

Level 1

48 points

Oct 22, 2014 5:08 AM in response to Csound1

I'm sorry to have started a discussion with you. It clearly won't help anyone. Enjoy your day.

Csound1

Level 9

60,063 points

Oct 22, 2014 5:13 AM in response to jmvdkolk

Actually you asked me a question and did not like my answer, there has been no discussion.

Have a nice day.

jmvdkolk

Level 1

48 points

Oct 22, 2014 12:45 PM in response to reu214

Thank you Reu.

Oct 22, 2014 3:52 PM in response to phemale12

I've tried to change my child's age to 13 but cannot. It says "you cannot change your birthday at this time"...

was this disabled?

Oct 22, 2014 3:55 PM in response to Canozzie11

Try only changing the year and not the month and day that is already listed. I ran into this issue and I didn't get the error if I only changed the year.

Oct 22, 2014 3:57 PM in response to travismetcalf

Yes that's what I did but with no luck. Any other reason this might be happening?

Oct 22, 2014 4:17 PM in response to Canozzie11

Same thing happens to me, still haven't been able to do it.

Nov 21, 2014 8:33 PM in response to phemale12

thanks very helpful!

Dec 20, 2014 2:05 PM in response to Brewjono

thanks

bnaimy

Level 1

0 points

Dec 27, 2014 10:57 PM in response to phemale12

Phemale12 - you rock!

Thanks!!

Jan 11, 2015 5:25 PM in response to Canozzie11

I have no idea why it isn't working. I used the Apple ID website and clicked Manage Apple ID and then logged in. Followed the steps I listed above and it worked.

pattbr2

Level 1

0 points

Nov 7, 2015 6:08 PM in response to phemale12

Thank you! This absolutely worked!

Dec 26, 2015 3:04 AM in response to Brewjono

You can overcome that limitation. Just follow this guide.

https://snapguide.com/guides/setup-family-sharing-without-apple-email-addresses/

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Convert existing Apple ID to Child Apple ID