Make sure that each family member has a unique Apple ID

If you want to share purchases or subscriptions with your family, use Family Sharing. Each person should use their own Apple ID.

Avoid sharing an Apple ID

Apple recommends that you do not share your Apple ID. Instead, set up Family Sharing so each person uses their own Apple ID. This way, your family can still share purchases, subscriptions and more without sharing personal information, such as emails, text messages or passwords.

If you share your Apple ID with a family member, certain services will treat you as the same person. You may experience these issues:

  • Apple Music family subscription: Instead of receiving your own membership with your own library, you’ll share a library and recommendations with the other family member.

  • App Store, Apple Books and iTunes purchases: If Family Sharing is ever stopped, the owner of the shared Apple ID will keep all purchases. You may lose access to everything in the account, including purchases you initiated.

  • Apple Podcasts, Apple Books: Podcast episodes and bookmarks may sync according to the other family member’s preferences or be accidentally deleted.

  • Messages and voicemails: You may receive text messages and voicemails that are intended for your family member.

  • Call history: Your recent call history will include any calls made and received by your family member.

  • Fitness: You may see Health details, Workouts and Fitness+ recommendations intended for your family member.

Help your family member create an Apple ID, then set up Family Sharing

To avoid issues caused by sharing an Apple ID, set up an Apple ID for each family member and set up Family Sharing.

  1. On the family member’s device, sign out of iCloud.

  2. Ask your family member to create an Apple ID. If the family member is under 13, create an Apple ID for your child.

  3. Ask your family member to sign in to iCloud with their new Apple ID on their device.

  4. Set up Family Sharing and invite the family member to your group.

  5. Set up purchase sharing. If you have children in your family, you can also set up Ask to Buy.

  6. Now you can share purchases, subscriptions and more with your family.

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