Windows/Android dad, Apple daughter

Thanks, but I'm not exactly sure of what's being implied. That said, I'll sharpen my point.

I downloaded iCloud for Windows. When I attempt to log in with my Apple ID, I receive the following message:

This Apple ID is valid but is not an iCloud account.

While researching that error, I kept getting pointed back to the fact that in order to set up Family Sharing (see Start a Family Group in this article), I need an Apple device of some kind. So, that leads me back to my question. If I want to set up Family Sharing and be the 'leader of the pack', can I do so *without* an Apple device? I appreciate any help, but a simple yes/no (from anyone that knows for sure) would be most appreciated.

Either that or buy her an Android device.

In any event, thanks for the confirmation. It just seemed like such an odd requirement to me that I wanted to hear it out loud. Thanks again.

Trust me, I get it, but this one particular angle seems odd. At the end of the day, monopolistic entities or not, other companies will have their presence and a total failure to recognize that, especially in 'fair cases' (situations where someone understandably my want to participate in the system, though not be a part of that system themselves -- mind you, I'm willing to be a customer, I just don't want to be strong-armed into some deal that goes far beyond my intention), is not good business in the long run.

Now, to be totally clear, I'm not trying to give Apple business advice. It seems like they're doing fine and honestly, by and large I can care less as I'm happy with where I'm at. It's just that in the end, this particular case, including your explanation, ultimately makes no sense in a read world application; better said, it's not very reasonable from the standpoint of acknowledging the actual dynamic of a family. For that matter, here's one better: it doesn't entice me to buy an Apple product. Instead, it does the reverse -- think about it. Perhaps if I could start an account and achieve my minor goal, I could see the glorious light and join the cult, but if I can't, well, I walk away feeling estranged and certainly not aware of the potential that could have been.

It's one thing to have a successful strategy for business. It's another to twist arms. (Which, by the way, I think is more your opinion than objective fact -- this would appear to be more like an oversight than a plan considering that I have my wallet open right now. Are you listening Apple?)

And I'm not sure how this is missed among us, but your latter statement isn't totally true in the spirit of this thread. I mean, at the end of the day we're talking about system liberation here. Say what you will about Microsoft and Google, but many folks see that as one of their virtues: they're not a walled garden. Right now, I need options and that's basically what Microsoft and Google sells in comparison to Apple, and that's one of the numerous reasons why I own their systems and devices and not Apple's.

Please don't forget to click 'This helped me' on this post. 😁