How to Set Up Apple Family Sharing

Share purchases, subscriptions, storage, and location with up to five family members.

In this guide (7 steps):

1.What Family Sharing includes
2.Start Family Sharing
3.Invite family members
4.Share purchases
5.Set up Ask to Buy
6.Share iCloud+ storage
7.Share location

What Family Sharing includes

~15s

Family Sharing lets up to six people share App Store purchases, Apple subscriptions (Apple One, iCloud+, Apple Music, Apple TV+), and Find My location — each person keeps their own Apple ID.

Start Family Sharing

~15s

On iPhone: Settings > your name > Family Sharing > Set Up Your Family. On Mac: System Settings > Family. You become the organizer and can invite members via Messages or email.

Invite family members

~15s

Tap Add Member and enter their Apple ID email or phone number. They receive an invitation and must accept. Children under 13 can have accounts created through Family Sharing.

Share purchases

~15s

Enable Purchase Sharing and all family members can download apps, music, movies, and books any member has bought — at no extra cost.

Set up Ask to Buy

~15s

For children, enable Ask to Buy so you approve any purchase or free download before it happens. You get a notification and can approve or decline from your device.

Share iCloud+ storage

~15s

If you subscribe to iCloud+ (50 GB, 200 GB, or 2 TB), you can share that storage with your family. Each person's files remain private — only the storage space is shared.