Z-alpha
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: Family sharing

Some apps are not available for family sharing.  There appears to be no option to download such apps as a new purchase or acquisition.   How can I overcome this problem.

iPad (4th gen) Wi-Fi

Posted on Sep 22, 2014 9:32 PM

by alex_h1,Solvedanswer
alex_h1 alex_h1
Community Specialists
A:

Hello Z-alpha,

 

Thanks for using Apple Support Communities.

 

Since purchased items that have been hidden will not show up to be available for Family Sharing downloading, please ensure the apps have not been hidden.

 

iTunes Store: Hiding and unhiding purchases

 

Sharing purchased content with Family Sharing

 

Take care,

Alex H.

Posted on Sep 25, 2014 6:27 AM

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Z-alpha

Q: Family sharing

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  • Helpful answers

  • by alex_h1,Solvedanswer

    alex_h1 alex_h1 Sep 25, 2014 6:27 AM in response to Z-alpha
    Community Specialists
    Sep 25, 2014 6:27 AM in response to Z-alpha

    Hello Z-alpha,

     

    Thanks for using Apple Support Communities.

     

    Since purchased items that have been hidden will not show up to be available for Family Sharing downloading, please ensure the apps have not been hidden.

     

    iTunes Store: Hiding and unhiding purchases

     

    Sharing purchased content with Family Sharing

     

    Take care,

    Alex H.

  • by Z-alpha,

    Z-alpha Z-alpha Sep 25, 2014 1:41 PM in response to alex_h1
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 25, 2014 1:41 PM in response to alex_h1

    Thanks but this does not address the issue which is about family sharing not hidden apps.

     

    Take the Kindle app as an example - it is not available for family sharing.   Further, it cannot be downloaded even as a non-family shared download.   Thus enabling family sharing prevents the download/use of a number of useful apps.   Clearly Kindle is one of the more useful apps one would like to use.

     

    To me it appears the solution is to remove family sharing and have one master account which can have up to 5 devices attached.   Family sharing looked promising but is in fact rather limited.   Family share limits the functionality(in terms of app download) of the shared device.   This function may well be useful for very young children.

  • by Brian Allen,Helpful

    Brian Allen Brian Allen Oct 21, 2014 7:44 AM in response to Z-alpha
    Level 2 (230 points)
    Oct 21, 2014 7:44 AM in response to Z-alpha

    Z-alpha,

     

    Presently, my family shares an Apple ID for all purchases and each have a separate Apple ID for iCloud.  I believe this is the best method that I have determined so far.

     

    The Family Sharing doesn't add much to the mix, but like you indicated it could help people manage young children.

     

    I view Family Sharing as way to share separate Apple IDs that have historically purchased apps.

     

    Regards,

     

    Brian Allen

  • by emkcarson,

    emkcarson emkcarson Nov 18, 2014 8:10 AM in response to Z-alpha
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 18, 2014 8:10 AM in response to Z-alpha

    We are having the same issue with the Instagram App.  Is there any way to get these "unavailable Apps" outside of the Family Sharing?  I can't seem to locate an answer and this wasn't discovered until we were home from the Apple store..of course.Thanks for any help!