If you want to share all your purchases and souvenirs with a group of people that is special to you, Apple has found the best way to do it. Through the configuration of a family group within the ecosystem, the accounts of several people can be connected to share different characteristics. In this article we tell you everything you need to know about these groups and how to configure it.
What is shared in a family group
A family group makes it easy for up to six members to share different content. For example, all purchases made through the App Stor e can be shared so that you do not have to pay twice for the same application. The possibility of sharing the use of different services is also integrated. These are for example iCloud storage so that each member has a space within iCloud. Subscriptions to Apple TV + or Apple Arcade can also be shared.
The possibility of configuring a specific ID for the youngest members of the family is included. In this way you can control all the purchases that can be made by the little ones and the subscriptions. The protection of all the data is guaranteed at all times but it is allowed to carry out an exhaustive control of all the expenses that will occur . You can also set the limits that are imposed on the time of use to prevent the little ones from spending hours in front of the iPhone.
Another of the star functions included is that all the computers in the family will appear in the Search application. In this way it will be possible to have located or activate the lost mode in a fast and comfortable way.
Family requirements
Some requirements are imposed in order to be part of a family group. For example, it is prohibited to participate in several groups at the same time, having to be linked to only one. In order to make this connection, it is required to have an Apple ID connected to iCloud as well as an iPhone with iOS 8 or higher installed. In order to create a family group, you should always be an adult, so the little ones can only participate but never manage.
Create group In iPhone family
Setting up a family group is a fairly simple task to do. It can be done on several different computers, but the easiest way is through the iPhone. To configure it, simply follow the following steps:
- On the iPhone go to Settings.
- At the top click on your profile picture.
- Click on ‘Configure Family’ and then ‘Start’. All the services will appear and you will simply have to click on each one of them and authorize or not authorize the service.
- In the configuration window all family members who want to participate in this group can be invited.
Once the family group is created, it can be configured to choose which services you want to share, such as Apple TV +, Apple Music or share purchases. You can choose at all times what you want to restrict and how you want to share. The payment system that is linked to the family is always that of the administrator, who pays for all associated subscriptions, such as Apple Music or iCloud. This is important to keep in mind when making a payment in the Store to buy an app because it can end up in a scare when charging someone else.
Add members
Members can be added to the group at any time with a maximum of 6 people. It is not necessary to incorporate people right at the beginning, it can always be done. To do so, simply follow these steps:
- Enter Settings.
- Click on your photo at the top.
- Access the ‘With the family’ section.
- Click on ‘Add member’.
It is important to note that you must always be an administrator in order to perform this operation. No other ‘low’ member can ever do this.
Delete members
The administrator also has the possibility to remove a member of the family group. From this moment on, it will no longer have access to all services, being one of the most problematic iCloud Drive. The person leaving the family group must immediately contract extra space since otherwise they will not be able to access the stored files. In order to remove a member you simply have to follow these steps:
- Enter Settings.
- Click on your photo at the top.
- Access the ‘With the family’ section.
- At the top you will have all the members that are within the group.
- Click on the person you want to remove from the group.
- Click on ‘Delete member’.
As in the previous case, this is a function that is limited to family organizers.