How to Set Up Family Sharing on iPhone

Create the group

1. On the organiser’s device, open Family settings.
2. Invite each person using their own Apple Account.
3. Create a child account where required.
4. Review which subscriptions and purchases will be shared.

Decide what is shared

• Eligible subscriptions
• Purchase sharing
• iCloud+ storage plan
• Location
• Ask to Buy
• Parental controls

Privacy boundaries

Family members retain separate photos, messages, files and passwords unless they deliberately share them. Purchase sharing can expose purchase history and use the organiser’s payment method.

Verify every member

Confirm invitations, payment settings, shared subscriptions and location choices on each device. Do not use Family Sharing as a substitute for the owner’s own backup and recovery plan.

Plan for a member leaving

Before removing someone, check shared storage, subscriptions, purchases and location. Files stored in a shared iCloud+ plan still belong to individual accounts, but the person may need another storage plan.

Keep accounts separate while sharing selected services

Each family member should use their own Apple Account. Family Sharing can coordinate purchases, subscriptions, location and child controls without merging personal photos, messages and backups.

• Invite the correct accounts and confirm the family organiser.
• Review Purchase Sharing and the shared payment method before enabling it.
• Set child Screen Time and Ask to Buy from the parent device.
• Check which subscriptions are eligible for family sharing.

Explain location sharing and purchase visibility to every family member. Shared services should not quietly become a reason for one adult to control another adult’s account.