Level 1

29 points

Family Sharing Device Limit

I am desperate for a definitive answer on this topic. I've called Apple and I can't get a firm answer from the people on the other end, they are literally reading from the same support articles that are causing my confusion in the first place.

I had an Apple ID since they were first available. When iCloud ID's came along, I created a different iCloud ID instead of reusing my Apple ID. So, for some time, I have an iCloud ID that I use for services (messages, drive, FaceTime, backup, etc) and an Apple ID that I use for purchases.

As my family because Apple users, I gave them each their own iCloud ID so their services are kept separate but they use my Apple ID as the "store ID" so that we are sharing purchases. Nothing wrong here, Apple even explains how to do this in a s support article. Unfortunately, like many of you, we hit the 10 device limit for the store ID which causes all kinds of problems.

When Family Sharing came out, I assumed this would correct the problem by pushing the 10 device limit out to each user. So, for instance, right now my family of 4 has a limit of 10 devices across everyone, whereas I thought Family Sharing would push the limit out to 10 devices each, so theoretically, if we all maxed out our devices, 40 devices could be buying off of the same account organizer iCloud account.

So, we come to this statement in the Apple Support Article about Family Sharing:

"Family Sharing requires a personal Apple ID signed in to iCloud and iTunes 12. Music, movies, TV shows, and books can be downloaded on up to 10 devices per account, five of which can be computers."

I've been trying to clarify with Apple, and can't, what they mean by this. I read it as "per account" or "per user" since it says "10 devices per account." Two Apple people have said no, it's per family share. "Per account" and "per family share" are two extremely different things and the article should be updated and clarified if that is the case. And it's hard to even believe them since they sound like they are guessing at their answer and again, their only source of info seems to be this knowledge article and the statement highlighted above. They are literally guessing at the answer.

It makes no sense to me that Apple would allow a family of 6 to share purchases and limit the family to 10 devices. Heck, if each person had an iPhone and an iPad, they'd exceed the limit.

So, I'm looking for anyone who has actually set up FS and can confirm these limits. Not looking for more speculation please. Someone who has actually setup family sharing, has lots of devices, and can confirm if it's 10 per family share or 10 per user on the share.

Thanks!

Posted on Jul 15, 2016 8:13 AM

Top-ranking reply

MWAtlanta

Level 1

14 points

Posted on Jan 30, 2018 8:53 AM

I just spoke to Apple and I believe your answer is wrong. Although, I will say it’s all so confusing.

According to Apple, each Apple ID can have 10 iOS devices but also 5 MacOS devices. So, if it were just me, and no family sharing, I could have 10 iPhones and 5 MacOS. The MacOS devices do not count against the 10.

So, In Family Sharing, the rub is this. Each family member can have 10 iOS devices but across everyone in the family, there can only be 5 MacOS devices. The “authorized computer” limit is linked to the paying Apple ID and it can only have 5.

I was also told Apple TV doesn’t count at all. Huh?

So, in my family, I have 4 members. I’m the master account holder so my Apple ID keeps the credit card and the 5 device count. Since all of the other members pay from my account (because that’s how family Sharing sees it), any MacOS device they add to their individual appleID is counted against my count of 5. So we have 8 computers across all our IDs but because of family sharing we are all held to the one count of 5.

She recommended that I use Computer Sharing as a way to allow a 6th or more MacOS device to get their authorized iTunes from another already authorized computer.

I read this back and repeated it several times to the rep and she promised this is right.

Sounds crazy but knowing that this 5 device limit dates back to a pre-iOS world, it seems like Apple isn’t going to revisit it.

So for now, without using the rather clugey computer sharing, my family of four is capped at having 10 iOS devices EACH and 5 total MacOS devices across all of us.

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18 replies

Jul 16, 2017 7:32 PM in response to jlt0812

You are welcome. I have a family of 6, and we just hit our 10 device limit. We also use iTunes Match, which also has a 10 device limit. I plan to purchase a second iTunes Match (for $25/yr) for my oldest, who is a teenager, to allow her to start purchasing her own music (and I plan to let the other kids share her iTunes Match account, for now). Family sharing will still allow each family member to access purchases on any family member's iCloud account through iTunes, but the music I have from other sources (which were uploaded from my account to iTunes Match) will no longer be visible on her (new, personal) iTunes Match account. Each family member has a separate login on our iMac, so I suspect if I load our personal music (at least the music she is interested in...) onto her iTunes account on her account/login on the iMac, then they will also be uploaded to her separate iTunes Match account. Note that when I disassociate her from my iTunes Match account, then Apple will not allow her to associate with a new iTunes Match account for 90 days (if I'm reading this correctly):

http://www.macworld.com/article/1163658/web-apps/itunes-match-what-you-need-to-k now.html

While I haven't tried this yet, what I am expecting to happen is the family will have 2 different iTunes Match accounts (for a total of $50/year), with a total device limit of 20 devices--10 devices for my wife and I on my account, and 10 devices for my 4 children on my oldest child's account. All iTunes purchases will (hopefully) then be shared across the devices using family sharing.

King_Penguin

Level 10

334,330 points

Jan 30, 2018 10:53 PM in response to pfisher112

In Family Share one person is the organiser of the Share and invites other members to join it, and each member uses their own account for the store and cloud etc. on their devices and computers. To share content they go to the Purchased section, similar as if only using their own account, but there (as long as the other members have set sharing enabled from their accounts) they will see the other family members accounts and be able to select and download their past purchases : Share iTunes, iBooks, and App Store purchases with Family Sharing - Apple Support

Jan 30, 2018 6:38 AM in response to Atlantax

So, I am going to continue with my "computer authorization" limit problem or frustration. If you are not familiar with my situation, please read my previous post.

In the previous post, I mentioned my Apple ID structure and my Device/Computer structure in my home. Now, I want to speak about how each family member uses their own Apple ID and how it ties into Family Sharing. Also, I had mentioned that I use this Apple ID, someone@yahoo.com, as the "master" ID for family members to purchase Apps and stream music through Apple Music, etc...

Before I proceed, lets talk about the explanation or in this case Apple's explanation of Family Sharing. Apple states: "Family Sharing makes it easy for up to six family members to share iTunes, iBooks, and App Store purchases, an Apple Music Family Membership, and an iCloud storage plan. Your family can also share a photo album, calendar, and reminders, and even help locate each others’ missing devices".

With that said, I am already using iTunes, iBooks, App purchases, Apple Music and iCloud storage. All of these services, except iBooks, are being shared with my family members, hence, Family Sharing.

Now, I want to give an over view of each family's ID and their device.

Organizer (ME)- I use this ID, someone@yahoo.com on ALL of my devices including computers. I use this ID in iCloud, iTunes & App Store on my devices. Right there, I am using this ID on at least 5 computers not to mention my iOS devices.

Wife (MOM)- She is using this ID, someone@yahoo.com, ONLY on iTunes & App Store. She uses her own Apple ID on iCloud.

Teen 1- Same setting as the Wife.

Teen 2- Same setting as the Wife.

Teen 3- Same setting as the Wife.

Home- Apple TVs using the "master" Apple ID as well.

As you can see, I am using the "master" Apple ID, someone@yahoo.com, to sign in on EACH family member's device under iTunes and App Store. Then, each member uses their own Apple ID to sign in to iCloud. This is how I am using Family Sharing. For the most part it works but there are some burps.

Where's the problem? Well, the problem is this, since I am using the "master" Apple ID on 5 computers, I am getting the "computer authorization" limit message for that reason and that reason alone. I think this affects the rest of the family even though they are all using iOS devices. I know the simple answer is to "deauthorize" a computer or two. In my opinion, I don't feel that I should "deauthorize" any computer.

I guess Apple's vision to is reduce the number of computers in the home and uses mostly iOS devices. I would like Apple to increase the NUMBER of computers allowed or remove the the "computer authorization" limit entirely. If iOS devices are not affected by the "computer authorization" limit then remove the ridiculous limit.

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Family Sharing Device Limit