In recent years, Apple has introduced numerous features to its iPhones to enhance and optimize the user experience. One of these features is Family Sharing, which enables up to six family members to share apps, music, and various other purchases. It also allows for ease of communication and location tracking among family members.
Many iPhone users, however, are not aware of the full potential of Family Sharing and its advanced features. In this article, we will discuss some tips and tricks for maximizing Family Sharing on your iPhone.
1. Create A Family Sharing Group
To begin, you must create a family sharing group to enjoy the benefits of Family Sharing. To do so, go to Settings, tap on your name, and select “Set Up Family Sharing.” Then add the family members you want to include by sending them an invitation. Once the invitation is accepted, the group will be created, and you can begin sharing with each other.
2. Share Purchases
The primary purpose of Family Sharing is to share purchases made on the App Store, Apple Music, and iTunes. This includes apps, music, movies, TV shows, books, and more. All family members can access these purchases without having to buy them individually. To do this, go to the App Store, iTunes Store, or Apple Music, and select the “Purchased” tab. You will see a list of all shared purchases, and you can download them for free.
3. Share Subscriptions
Apart from purchases, Family Sharing also allows the sharing of subscriptions. If one family member has subscribed to Apple Music or any other service that supports Family Sharing, the other family members can also access the subscription without having to pay for it. To view and manage shared subscriptions, go to Settings, tap on your name, and select “Subscriptions.” You can then select which subscriptions you want to share with your family.
4. Set Up Location Sharing
For parents, keeping track of their children’s whereabouts is a constant concern. Fortunately, Family Sharing has a feature that allows for location sharing. To enable this, go to “Find My” in Settings, select “Share My Location,” and add the family members you want to share your location with. You can also turn on the “Share My Location” feature for all your family members in the Family Sharing settings.
5. Share Photos and Videos
Family Sharing also enables the sharing of photos and videos through a shared album. This is an excellent way for family members to stay connected and see each other’s recent memories. To set up a shared album, open the Photos app, select the “Sharing” tab, and tap on “Start Sharing.” You can then add the family members you want to share the album with, and they can also add their photos and videos to the album.
6. Organize Family Purchases
To keep track of family purchases, you can create an “Organizer” and “Ask to Buy” settings. An organizer has control over all the purchases made by family members, and it also allows for easy tracking of who has bought what. Ask to Buy, on the other hand, sends a notification to the organizer when a family member wants to make a purchase; the organizer must approve it before the purchase is made.
7. Share iCloud Storage
Family Sharing also allows for the sharing of iCloud storage. Instead of each family member paying for their own storage, one family member can opt for a higher storage plan and share it with the rest of the family. To set this up, go to Settings, tap on your name, select “Family Sharing,” and then “iCloud Storage.” You can then choose the storage plan you want to share with your family.
In conclusion, with these tips and tricks, you can make the most out of Family Sharing on your iPhone and enhance communication and sharing among your family members. Keep in mind that these features can be customized and managed according to your family’s needs. Explore and experiment with them to find the best setup for your family.