Inviting someone to your Apple Family Sharing group allows you to share purchases, subscriptions, location, and more with your loved ones. The process depends on whether the person already has an Apple Account or if you need to create one for a child.
Understanding Apple Family Sharing
Apple Family Sharing is a convenient feature that enables up to six family members to share Apple services like Apple Music, Apple TV+, iCloud+, and App Store purchases without sharing Apple IDs. The family organizer manages invitations, purchases, and child accounts.
Inviting Someone with an Existing Apple Account
If the person you wish to invite, including a child who already has an Apple Account, they can be added directly through your device's settings.
Here’s how to invite them:
- Go to Settings Family.
- Tap on your Apple ID (your name at the top of Settings).
- Tap Family Sharing.
- Tap Add Member or Invite Others.
- Choose how you'd like to invite them:
- Invite via Messages: Sends an invitation link through iMessage.
- In Person: This option is particularly useful for adding someone directly from your device. Tap this option, and then they can enter their Apple Account and password on your device to accept the invitation.
Once they accept the invitation, they will be added to your Family Sharing group and gain access to the shared services and content.
Creating an Apple ID for a Child and Adding Them
For a child who does not yet have an Apple Account, you can create one directly through Family Sharing, which will automatically add them to your family group with appropriate parental controls.
Follow these steps to create an Apple Account for a child:
- Go to Settings Family.
- Tap on your Apple ID (your name at the top of Settings).
- Tap Family Sharing.
- Tap Add Member.
- Tap Create Child Account.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to enter your child's birth date, create their Apple ID, and set up parental controls. You will be asked to agree to the Parent Privacy Disclosure.
After completing these steps, the child's account will be created and automatically added to your Family Sharing group. This allows you to manage their screen time, control app purchases, and monitor their location.
Quick Reference: Invitation Methods
| Member Type | Invitation Method |
|---|---|
| Adult or Child (with an existing Apple ID) | Settings > [Your Name] > Family Sharing > Invite Others (they enter their Apple ID and password on your device) |
| Child (no existing Apple ID) | Settings > [Your Name] > Family Sharing > Create Child Account |
Key Considerations for Apple Family Sharing
- Family Organizer: Only one adult in the family can be the organizer, responsible for inviting members and managing payment methods for shared purchases.
- Apple ID Requirement: Every member of an Apple Family Sharing group must have their own Apple ID.
- Device Compatibility: Ensure all family members are using compatible Apple devices and up-to-date iOS/iPadOS/macOS versions.
- Leave a Family: Members can leave a family group at any time, with the exception of children under 13 (age varies by region), who must be removed by the organizer or transferred to another family.
By following these steps, you can efficiently invite new members to your Apple Family, whether they already have an Apple Account or need one created.
