Discover how to fix Apple Family Sharing not working with our complete guide. Learn why Family Sharing fails and how to resolve apps, music, and iCloud storage issues quickly. Get your family sharing working again today!
Struggling with Apple Family Sharing not working? You’re not alone. Many users face issues where Family Sharing fails to work properly for apps, music, or iCloud storage. The good news is that most Family Sharing problems can be fixed with simple troubleshooting steps.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through all the common Family Sharing issues and their solutions, helping you get your family’s Apple services working together again.
What is Apple Family Sharing?
Apple Family Sharing lets you and up to five family members share access to Apple services. With Family Sharing, you can share App Store purchases, Apple Music subscriptions, iCloud storage plans, and more. This feature is designed to save money and make it easier for families to enjoy Apple’s ecosystem together.
Family Sharing works across iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV. The family organizer sets up the group and invites family members to join. Once set up, everyone in the group can access shared content using their own Apple ID.
To use Family Sharing, you need:
- An Apple ID signed in to iCloud
- iOS 8 or later (or macOS 10.10 Yosemite or later)
- Family members must have their own Apple IDs
Why is Apple Family Sharing Not Working?
Apple Family Sharing can stop working for several reasons. The most common causes include:
- Incorrect Apple ID settings for Family Sharing and Media & Purchases
- Purchase Sharing not being enabled
- Outdated iOS or macOS versions
- Country/Region mismatches between family members
- Network connectivity issues
- Apple server problems
Different Family Sharing features can experience unique issues. For example, you might be able to share Apple Music but not apps, or share location but not iCloud storage. Identifying which specific feature isn’t working is the first step to fixing the problem.
How to Fix Apple Family Sharing Not Working for Apps?
When Apple Family Sharing isn’t working for apps specifically, it’s usually because Purchase Sharing isn’t enabled or you’re not using the correct Apple ID. Here’s how to fix it:
Check if Purchase Sharing is Enabled
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad
- Tap your name at the top
- Tap Family Sharing
- Tap Purchase Sharing
- Make sure Share My Purchases is turned on
Verify You’re Using the Correct Apple ID
- Go to Settings > [your name]
- Note which Apple Account is listed
- Tap Media & Purchases
- Tap View Account
- Make sure you’re signed in with the same Apple Account you use for Family Sharing
If you’re not using the correct Apple ID, sign out and sign back in with the right one.
Steps to Download Apps Purchased by Family Members
- Open the App Store app
- Tap your profile picture or the Account button at the top
- Tap Purchased
- Tap a family member’s name to see their purchases
- Find the app you want and tap the download button (cloud icon)
If you still can’t see family purchases, try signing out of Media & Purchases and signing back in.
How to Fix Apple Family Sharing Not Working for Apple Music?
Apple Music sharing issues are common in Family Sharing. Here’s how to fix them:
Check Apple Music Subscription Settings
- Open the Settings app
- Tap your name
- Tap Family Sharing
- Tap Subscriptions
- Make sure Apple Music is listed and shared
Verify Family Sharing Settings for Apple Music
- Open the Music app
- Tap the For You tab
- Tap your profile picture
- Make sure you’re signed in with the correct Apple ID
- Check that you see your family members’ profiles
Troubleshooting During Apple Music Trial Periods
If you or a family member is on an Apple Music trial, you won’t be able to share music until the trial ends. This is a limitation Apple has in place. Once the trial period is over, Apple Music sharing should work normally.
How to Fix iCloud Storage Sharing Issues?
iCloud storage sharing problems can be frustrating, but they’re usually easy to fix:
How to Properly Set Up iCloud Storage Sharing
- Open the Settings app
- Tap your name
- Tap Family Sharing
- Tap iCloud Storage
- Follow the prompts to share your storage plan
Verifying iCloud Storage Sharing Settings
- Go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud
- Tap Manage Account Storage or Manage Storage
- Check that you’re on a shared storage plan
- Verify that family members are listed under the sharing section
Troubleshooting When Family Members Can’t Access Shared Storage
If family members can’t access shared iCloud storage:
- Make sure they’re running the latest iOS or macOS version
- Check that they’re signed in to iCloud with their Apple ID
- Verify they’re part of your Family Sharing group
- Try removing them from Family Sharing and adding them back
How to Fix Ask to Buy Not Working?
Ask to Buy is a valuable Family Sharing feature, but it can stop working properly:
Checking Ask to Buy Settings
- Open Settings
- Tap your name
- Tap Family Sharing
- Tap your child’s name
- Make sure Ask to Buy is turned on
Ensuring Proper Notification Settings
- Go to Settings > Notifications
- Find Messages in the app list
- Make sure Allow Notifications is turned on
- Check that Time Sensitive Notifications are enabled
Fixing “Not signed in” Errors for Ask to Buy
If you see “Not signed in. Sign in with the Apple Account you use for Family Sharing”:
- Go to Settings > [your name] > Media & Purchases
- Tap Sign Out
- Restart your device
- Go back to Media & Purchases and sign in with your Family Sharing Apple ID
How to Fix Country/Region Mismatch Errors?
Country/Region mismatches can prevent Family Sharing from working:
Why Country/Region Errors Occur
These errors happen when family members have their Apple IDs set to different countries or regions. Apple requires all Family Sharing members to be in the same country or region.
How to Check and Match Country/Region Settings
- Go to Settings > [your name] > Media & Purchases
- Tap View Account
- Look for Country/Region
- Compare this with other family members’ settings
What to Do When You Can’t Change Country/Region Settings
If you can’t change your Country/Region:
- You may have an active subscription that prevents changes
- You might have store credit that needs to be used first
- You may need to wait for current subscriptions to expire
Advanced Troubleshooting for Apple Family Sharing
If basic troubleshooting doesn’t work, try these advanced steps:
Updating iOS to the Latest Version
- Go to Settings > General > Software Update
- If an update is available, tap Download and Install
- Enter your passcode if prompted
- Wait for the update to complete
Signing Out and Back Into Apple ID
- Go to Settings > [your name]
- Scroll down and tap Sign Out
- Enter your Apple ID password
- Choose what data to keep on your device
- Tap Sign Out
- Restart your device
- Go back to Settings and sign in with your Apple ID
Removing and Re-adding Family Members
- Go to Settings > your name > Family Sharing
- Tap the family member’s name
- Tap Remove [name]
- Wait a few minutes, then add them back by tapping Add Member
Resetting Family Sharing Completely
As a last resort, you can reset Family Sharing:
- Go to Settings > your name > Family Sharing
- Tap Stop Using Family Sharing
- Set up Family Sharing again from scratch
How to Hide or Unhide Apps in Family Sharing?
Sometimes you might want to hide certain apps from family members:
Why You Might Want to Hide Apps
- Privacy concerns
- Age-inappropriate content
- Personal apps you don’t want to share
- Apps with sensitive information
Steps to Hide Apps from Your Purchase List
On iPhone or iPad:
- Open the App Store
- Tap your profile picture
- Tap Purchased
- Find the app you want to hide
- Swipe left on the app
- Tap Hide
- Tap Done
On Mac:
- Open the App Store
- Click your name in the bottom-left corner
- Find the app you want to hide
- Click the three dots next to the app
- Select Hide Purchase
How to Unhide Apps When Needed
On iPhone or iPad:
- Open the App Store
- Tap your profile picture
- Tap your Apple ID
- Tap Hidden Purchases
- Find the app you want to unhide
- Tap Unhide next to the app
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Apple Family Sharing not working for apps specifically?
Apple Family Sharing often fails for apps when Purchase Sharing isn’t enabled or when you’re using different Apple IDs for Family Sharing and Media & Purchases. To fix this, go to Settings > your name > Family Sharing and ensure Purchase Sharing is turned on. Also, verify that you’re using the same Apple ID for both Family Sharing and Media & Purchases by checking Settings > your name > Media & Purchases.
How do I fix the ‘Country/Region does not match’ error in Family Sharing?
The ‘Country/Region does not match’ error occurs when family members have their Apple IDs set to different countries or regions. To fix this, all family members need to have the same Country/Region setting. Go to Settings > your name > Media & Purchases > View Account > Country/Region to check and change your setting. Note that you may need to wait for active subscriptions to expire or use up store credit before changing countries.
Why is Ask to Buy not working in Family Sharing?
Ask to Buy might not work if notifications are disabled, if you’re using different Apple IDs for Family Sharing and Media & Purchases, or if there’s an issue with your device’s Focus settings. First, ensure Ask to Buy is enabled for each child in Family Sharing settings. Then, check that Messages notifications are enabled and not blocked by Focus mode. If you see a “Not signed in” error, try signing out of Media & Purchases and signing back in with your Family Sharing Apple ID.
How do I share iCloud storage with family members through Family Sharing?
To share iCloud storage, go to Settings > your name > Family Sharing > iCloud Storage and follow the prompts to share your storage plan. Family members will need to accept the invitation on their devices. If they can’t access the shared storage, make sure they’re running the latest iOS or macOS version, signed in to iCloud with their Apple ID, and properly added to your Family Sharing group.
Why can’t I see my family’s purchased apps in the App Store?
If you can’t see your family’s purchased apps, first ensure Purchase Sharing is enabled in Family Sharing settings. Then, in the App Store, tap your profile picture, tap Purchased, and select a family member’s name to see their purchases. If you still don’t see them, try signing out of Media & Purchases and signing back in. Also, check that the app you’re looking for is eligible for Family Sharing, as some apps (especially those with subscriptions) can’t be shared.
How do I fix Family Sharing when it shows me as both organizer and member?
This issue usually occurs when there’s a conflict with Apple ID settings. To fix it, first check which Apple ID you’re using for Family Sharing by going to Settings > your name. Then, go to Settings > your name > Media & Purchases and ensure you’re using the same Apple ID. If the problem persists, try signing out of your Apple ID completely and signing back in, or remove yourself from Family Sharing and have the organizer add you back.
Why did Family Sharing suddenly stop working?
Family Sharing can suddenly stop working due to iOS updates, changes to Apple ID settings, expired subscriptions, or Apple server issues. First, check if Apple’s system status page shows any issues with Family Sharing services. Then, ensure everyone in your family group is running the latest iOS version. Try signing out of Media & Purchases and signing back in, or remove and re-add problematic family members to the group.
Conclusion
Apple Family Sharing is a powerful feature that can save families money and make sharing content easier, but it’s not without its issues. Most Family Sharing problems can be fixed by checking your Apple ID settings, enabling Purchase Sharing, updating your devices, or signing out and back into your accounts.
If you’ve tried all the troubleshooting steps in this guide and Family Sharing still isn’t working, it may be time to contact Apple Support. They can provide additional assistance and check for account-specific issues that might be causing the problem.
Remember to keep your devices updated and periodically check your Family Sharing settings to ensure everything continues to work smoothly. With the right setup and maintenance, Family Sharing can be a valuable tool for your family’s Apple ecosystem.
