Q: Family Sharing won't work because I have two separate accounts for iCloud and iTunes

Question

TomNYC

Level 2 (350 points)

Desktops

Q: Family Sharing won't work because I have two separate accounts for iCloud and iTunes

I have two Apple accounts, one that is connected to my iTunes Store purchases, and another for iCloud. I had to do this for reasons related to transitioning from the old MobileMe service to iCloud a few years ago.

So now with Family Sharing, if I use my iTunes account, I can't share calendars or other iCloud type information, and if I use my iCloud account I can't share my music and app purchases.

Is there anything I can do to remedy this? Can I combine everything into a single account somehow?

iMac, OS X Mavericks (10.9.1)

Posted on Sep 17, 2014 2:42 PM

I have this question too

Solved

randers4

Level 9 (62,891 points)

A:

Under "Setting up Family Sharing" here: https://developer.apple.com/icloud/documentation/family-sharing/ it says:

"You can accept a Family Sharing invitation from any compatible iOS device or Mac where you are signed into iCloud. Or, if the organizer is nearby, they can simply ask you to enter your iCloud Apple ID and password during the setup process. To complete setup, you will also confirm the Apple ID you use for the iTunes, iBooks, and App Stores so you can share your purchases with family members."

This suggests that you can specify a different ID for the iTunes store if you aren't using your iCloud ID for purchasing.

Posted on Sep 17, 2014 6:19 PM

Q: Family Sharing won't work because I have two separate accounts for iCloud and iTunes

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by DanLand,

DanLand Sep 17, 2014 3:05 PM in response to TomNYC
Level 1 (20 points)

Photos for Mac

Sep 17, 2014 3:05 PM in response to TomNYC

Im in the same situation as you, and Im still researching how I want to do this.

Im wondering if you can setup the family share as your iCloud account. Then invite the AppleID associated with your ituens purchase to the family share.

Im wondering if that would work...
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by TomNYC,

TomNYC Sep 17, 2014 5:49 PM in response to DanLand
Level 2 (350 points)

Desktops

Sep 17, 2014 5:49 PM in response to DanLand

I was wondering the same thing. I may try that to see if it works and report back either way.
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by TomNYC,

TomNYC Sep 18, 2014 9:47 AM in response to randers4
Level 2 (350 points)

Desktops

Sep 18, 2014 9:47 AM in response to randers4

Thank you! When I went ahead with the setup of Family Sharing using my iCloud account, it did, indeed, ask me for my iTunes Store ID to allow me to share that content as well. So, Apple has already thought about this. No need to merge accounts. And it seems to be working!
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by millerjw1969,

millerjw1969 Sep 18, 2014 9:56 AM in response to TomNYC
Level 1 (5 points)

Sep 18, 2014 9:56 AM in response to TomNYC

Can you actually share content (music, movies, tv shows) with a family member? I completed the Setup with no problem but no content is actually being shared.
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by Evan Window,

Evan Window Sep 18, 2014 11:22 AM in response to millerjw1969
Level 2 (173 points)

Sep 18, 2014 11:22 AM in response to millerjw1969

This seems pretty helpful on how to access your family's content:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT201085
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by Grant Robinson2,

Grant Robinson2 Sep 18, 2014 1:40 PM in response to millerjw1969
Level 1 (5 points)

Sep 18, 2014 1:40 PM in response to millerjw1969

In order to see other family member purchases, you need to "purchase" something from whichever store you are trying to use. A free song/TV Show/movie for iTunes stuff, a free App for the App Store, or a free iBook from the iBookstore will work.

Found that tip buried in this page:

http://appleinsider.com/articles/14/09/18/how-to-start-an-ios-8-family-sharing-a ccount-to-share-apps-music-movies-more
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Accepted Answer · Sep 17, 2014 6:19 PM

randers4

Level 9 (62,891 points)

Sep 17, 2014 6:19 PM in response to TomNYC

Under "Setting up Family Sharing" here: https://developer.apple.com/icloud/documentation/family-sharing/ it says:

"You can accept a Family Sharing invitation from any compatible iOS device or Mac where you are signed into iCloud. Or, if the organizer is nearby, they can simply ask you to enter your iCloud Apple ID and password during the setup process. To complete setup, you will also confirm the Apple ID you use for the iTunes, iBooks, and App Stores so you can share your purchases with family members."

This suggests that you can specify a different ID for the iTunes store if you aren't using your iCloud ID for purchasing.

Q: Family Sharing won't work because I have two separate accounts for iCloud and iTunes

All replies Helpful answers

by DanLand,

by TomNYC,

by randers4,Solvedanswer

by TomNYC,

by millerjw1969,

by Evan Window,

by Grant Robinson2,

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