VanoVano

Q: Children's IDs require a credit card?

I want to create "children's IDs" for my kids for family sharing on my apple ID.  I do not have a credit card, and all my iTunes purchases have historically been through either PayPal, which appears no longer to be an option, or my Visa debit card.  Is there any alternative means for confirming my status as an adult than a credit card? 

iPhone 6 Plus, iOS 8

Posted on Sep 29, 2014 2:47 PM

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Q: Children's IDs require a credit card?

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  • by timothydes1,

    timothydes1 timothydes1 Sep 29, 2014 9:26 PM in response to VanoVano
    Level 1 (30 points)
    Sep 29, 2014 9:26 PM in response to VanoVano

    The organizer of Family Sharing is the only account that is REQUIRED to have a credit card on file when using Family Sharing. This is because when others make purchases on their accounts, the purchases are made with the organizers account. So if you don't have a credit card, I'm sorry you will not be able to use Family Sharing.

  • by jakeycov,Solvedanswer

    jakeycov jakeycov Oct 2, 2014 12:16 PM in response to timothydes1
    Level 1 (10 points)
    Oct 2, 2014 12:16 PM in response to timothydes1

    Yes, but the annoying thing is it has to be a credit card. It can't be a debit card.

  • by timothydes1,

    timothydes1 timothydes1 Oct 2, 2014 12:27 PM in response to VanoVano
    Level 1 (30 points)
    Oct 2, 2014 12:27 PM in response to VanoVano

    @Jakeycov is completely wrong. According to: http://support.apple.com/kb/ht201079

    Specifically under the Setting up Family Sharing section:

     

    "When you set up Family Sharing, you'll be asked to confirm that you agree to pay for purchases initiated by the family members you invite and that you have a valid payment method on file. Valid payment methods for setting up Family Sharing include credit cards and debit cards. You can change the billing method on file in your account at any time in your iTunes & App Store account settings."


    So you CAN use a debit or credit card to set up family sharing.

  • by jakeycov,

    jakeycov jakeycov Oct 2, 2014 12:28 PM in response to timothydes1
    Level 1 (10 points)
    Oct 2, 2014 12:28 PM in response to timothydes1

    No I am not.

     

    If you try you will get the following error message:

     

    Credit Card Required

    You currently have a debit card on file. To create an account for a child, you must verify that you are an adult by adding a credit card to your account in iTunes and app store settings.

  • by VanoVano,

    VanoVano VanoVano Oct 2, 2014 12:32 PM in response to jakeycov
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 2, 2014 12:32 PM in response to jakeycov

    And this was the point of my question.  Annoying is an understatement.  I was looking forward to using Child's IDs with Family Sharing to create a safe and secure way for my kids to participate.  Now, I either get them adult IDs to use family sharing, or we simply do not use it. We do not have credit cards, having paid them off and closed them years ago.

     

    This and the fact that it took me over an hour to get to a live person by calling Apple.  And that person kept putting me on hold rather than simply telling me the answer you just gave me in less than 20 words. 

     

    Thank you both for replying.

  • by VanoVano,

    VanoVano VanoVano Oct 2, 2014 12:34 PM in response to timothydes1
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 2, 2014 12:34 PM in response to timothydes1

    The question was for CHILD's IDs.  Debit cards in general do work for family sharing, but you cannot set up a child's ID without a CREDIT card.

  • by timothydes1,Helpful

    timothydes1 timothydes1 Oct 2, 2014 12:35 PM in response to VanoVano
    Level 1 (30 points)
    Oct 2, 2014 12:35 PM in response to VanoVano

    Quite annoying if you ask me. Im not sure why that is, and I apologize to Jakeycov, but according to that document a credit /debit card can be used. So its possible its just an error being that Family sharing is still SO new. But if not, that does suck and im sorry. :-/

     

    Might I suggest using itunes allowance?

    Since family sharing is not the right thing for you, this might be the next best thing:

    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2105

     

    HOpe that helps.

  • by VanoVano,

    VanoVano VanoVano Oct 2, 2014 12:37 PM in response to timothydes1
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 2, 2014 12:37 PM in response to timothydes1

    Thank you. I will look into that.  I had been using iTunes gifts for my older daughter, and it works fairly well.  The sharing of apps is what I was after for the littler ones though.