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.
Read more: Ultimate Guide on Apple
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.