Can I use family sharing without a credit card

The requirement to use a credit card when setting it up is not technical. It's legal.

A debit card, gift card, etc., can not be used to provide legal proof of identity. A credit card can. Because of the laws regarding the use of online services that collect data by children, you must use a credit card to set up Family Sharing. It's a legal requirement so that you can give parental consent for your children to use Apple's services.

For those here who believe this is a "ridiculous requirement" by Apple, I suggest you write to your congressman if you're not happy. Apple doesn't have a choice in the matter.

In response to the original post, a credit card is needed to create the family sharing account. All the purchases are linked to that card but you could in theory set up "ask to buy" for everyone listed not a spouse or parent on the account. Then the cardholder(s) would get notifications that would either be able to approve or decline purchases made on their card. I have it set up for my family and it works great. Even free apps my kids want to download come thru as a request to me.

Apple suggests that in this case you add with a credit card then switch back: Start or join a family group using Family Sharing - Apple Support

"When you create an account for a child, you must use a credit card as the payment method as part of providing your parental consent. After you create the child's Apple ID, you can change your payment method if you choose."

Annoying, but presumably there are technical constraints that make this difficult. I hope they'll fix at some point but this at least means I can set it up. I don't use a credit card but I have one around that I can use to at least set up the accounts.

I, too, do not want to put my cc since I don't want any unnecessary purchases made by my younger brothers. I use iTunes cards to reload. Have spent over 2,000 usd using this system.

Then you need a different mechanism to keep your brothers from abusing your credit.

Family Sharing will not resolve the challenge you have. They will have to finance their own purchases.

It is to comply with the federal COPPA Act. Specifically this section...

You can use a debit card to do this.

There are many people that choose not to own credit cards and use a debit card instead. The requirement of needing to have a credit card to use Family Sharing is very short sighted on Apple's part.

I now have much less respect for Apple's thoroughness before making software design decisions. We have over 15 Apple devices in our family and this definitely changes my attitude about the long term viability of Apple in our family.

I strongly recommend that Apple review and change this ridiculous requirement!

You are NOT talking to Apple. Apple didn't have a choice in the matter. It's an issue of law, not Apple policy. You can easily remove the credit card. In order to do so, you MUST provide another valid payment method.

I signed up to family sharing with a credit card. I already had over $80 in store credit on my account from Apple iTune cards we had purchased/received as gifts. Now we CANNOT buy anything from the iTunes shop with our store credit - everything is billed to the credit card! $80 wasted! Seriously, it is best to log in to each device with the same account and download that way. Family sharing is a con!

No.

Actually, no. Would have been nice if. Maybe someday.

Great! I'll just return the iPad Air I bought for my 7 year old for Christmas and get her a Chromebook instead. I don't have a credit card and don't want one.

Guess I will return my child's iPod for this reason also. Thanks Apple for this, I will be getting rid of my wife's and mine iPhone's also. These stupid rules are getting ridiculous.

I am not sure whether it is specifically a credit card at that are you are averse to using, however you are able to use a debit card if that helps you at all.

It isn't legal. It's choice. A credit card in no way proves age. It's easy to get a credit card as a minor. Your argument is incorrect.

Read please. The minor does not enter the card. The parent or guardian does, as a way of complying with COPPA.

Family Sharing and Apple ID for your child - Apple Support

Apple feedback goes here >>> http://www.apple.com/feedback/

As to COPPA's reach around the world... the following language is in the COPPA.

While COPPA is an American law, the Federal Trade Commission has made it clear that the requirements of COPPA will apply to foreign-operated web sites if such sites "are directed to children in the U.S. or knowingly collect information from children in the U.S."^[25]

Since the law is U.S. federal, it's applicable only to websites that are run:^[1][9]

• by websites under U.S. jurisdiction;
• by websites which are hosted on servers in the U.S.;
• by websites with owners headquartered in U.S. territory; or
• by commercial websites.

Family Sharing and Apple ID for your child - Apple Support

Apple feedback goes here >>> http://www.apple.com/feedback/

As to COPPA's reach around the world... the following language is in the COPPA.

While COPPA is an American law, the Federal Trade Commission has made it clear that the requirements of COPPA will apply to foreign-operated web sites if such sites "are directed to children in the U.S. or knowingly collect information from children in the U.S."^[25]

Since the law is U.S. federal, it's applicable only to websites that are run:^[1][9]

• by websites under U.S. jurisdiction;
• by websites which are hosted on servers in the U.S.;
• by websites with owners headquartered in U.S. territory; or
• by commercial websites.