I love watching Apple TV+, but paying for multiple subscriptions doesn’t make sense. My family enjoys movies and shows just as much as I do, so sharing my subscription is the best option. Apple makes this easy with Family Sharing, letting up to six people stream without extra cost.
Setting it up takes a few minutes, and everyone gets their own profile. That means my watchlist stays mine, and theirs stays theirs. No mix-ups. No confusion. Just easy access to great content. Now, instead of arguing over who pays, we can focus on what really matters—what to watch next.
Table of Contents
Setting Up Family Sharing on My Apple Device
I want to share my Apple TV+ subscription with my family. First, I need to set up Family Sharing.
On iPhone or iPad:
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap my name to access Apple ID settings.
- Select Family Sharing from the menu.
- Tap Set Up Your Family and follow the on-screen steps to invite family members.
On Mac:
- Click the Apple menu and open System Preferences.
- Select Family Sharing from the list.
- Click Add Family Member and follow the instructions.
Note: Family Sharing must be set up on a Mac, iPhone, or iPad. It won’t work if I try to start it from my Apple TV.
Inviting My Family Members to Join
Now that Family Sharing is ready, I need to invite my family members.
- Open Family Sharing settings.
- Tap or click Add Family Member.
- Enter their email address or pick them from my contacts.
- Send the invitation and wait for them to accept.
Each person will get a notification. Once they accept, they can access Apple TV+ with their own Apple ID.
Making Sure Apple TV+ is Shared
I don’t want any mix-ups. I need to check if my Apple TV+ subscription is actually shared.
- Open Settings and tap [My Name].
- Select Subscriptions and find Apple TV+.
- Make sure Share with Family is turned on.
- If sharing isn’t active, I might need to upgrade to a family plan.
Now, my family members can enjoy Apple TV+ without paying extra.
Watching Apple TV+ on Any Device
I want my family to stream Apple TV+ on their favorite devices. Here’s how they can do it.
On iPhone or iPad:
- Open the Apple TV app.
- Tap Sign In and enter their Apple ID.
- Select Apple TV+ to start watching.
On Mac:
- Open the Apple TV app.
- Click Sign In and enter Apple ID details.
- Browse and play Apple TV+ shows and movies.
On Apple TV:
- Open Settings and go to Users and Accounts.
- Select Add New User and enter the Apple ID.
- They can now switch to their profile and stream Apple TV+.
On Smart TVs and Streaming Devices:
- Download and open the Apple TV app.
- Sign in using their Apple ID.
- Select Apple TV+ and start watching.
Note: Some features may be missing on non-Apple devices, but streaming works fine.
Controlling Purchases and Setting Limits for My Family
I don’t want surprise charges or inappropriate content. I can manage this easily.
Enabling Purchase Sharing:
- Open Family Sharing settings.
- Tap Purchase Sharing.
- Toggle on Share My Purchases to allow shared access.
Setting Content Restrictions:
- Use Screen Time to limit content and privacy settings.
- Choose restrictions based on age and content preferences.
This way, my family enjoys Apple TV+ without unwanted surprises.
Avoiding Purchase Sharing Confusion
I don’t need to enable purchase sharing to share Apple TV+. But if I want to share movies, apps, or other purchases, I have to turn it on.
Important Notes:
- Apple TV+ sharing works without Purchase Sharing.
- Purchase Sharing is only for individual purchases like movies and apps.
- I can decide what I want to share under Family Sharing settings.
This keeps my family’s content separate while allowing shared access to Apple TV+.
Fixing Apple TV+ Family Sharing Problems
Sometimes, things don’t work as expected. If my family can’t access Apple TV+, here’s what I check.
Quick Fixes:
- Check Invitations – Make sure they accepted the Family Sharing invite.
- Verify Apple ID – They should be signed in with the right Apple ID.
- Confirm Sharing Settings – Apple TV+ must be included in Family Sharing.
- Check Subscription Plan – A student or individual plan won’t work for sharing.
If nothing works, I visit Apple’s Family Sharing support page for more help.