Can I use family sharing without a credit card

I want to set up family sharing in iCloud between my account and my dad's since we have separate accounts. Problem is, one of them needs a credit card and my sister tends to make purchases from iTunes cards that weren't for her. Can I set up family sharing without using a credit card? I have a friend who used his parents credit card and one day, they got a $500 bill from iTunes on purchases they didn't make. The account was hacked somehow and the last thing my parents need is to have one of their cards hijacked again.

Posted on Sep 26, 2014 8:24 AM

Top-ranking reply

KiltedTim

Level 10

225,324 points

Posted on Feb 7, 2015 5:24 AM

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.

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65 replies

Jan 22, 2017 11:12 AM in response to Banakin

No need to go by hearsay. Apple provides a list of acceptable forms of payment:

Payment methods that you can use in the iTunes Store, App Store, and iBooks Store - Apple Support

Cheers,

Jan 2, 2017 8:31 PM in response to KiltedTim

Your wrong. 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.

Jan 2, 2017 8:42 PM in response to KiltedTim

Tim, your incorrect. Please stop handing out incorrect info. It's NOT law.

KiltedTim

Level 10

225,324 points

Jan 5, 2017 3:16 AM in response to jbesclapez

Don't like it? Go complain to your Congressman. They are the ones who defined what is acceptable proof.

Banakin

Level 1

4 points

Jan 21, 2017 9:18 PM in response to Look-at-menow

I think you need a credit card but you can use burner cards and I heard that they work fine.

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Can I use family sharing without a credit card