Image source from Venturebeat.com and jennheffers.com
Intro to iCloud Family Sharing
Apple introduced iCloud Family Sharing in 2014 with the release of iOS8. Family Sharing allows up to six family members, including yourself, to utilize a single iCloud+ subscription. This feature enables family members to share various items such as music, movies, TV shows, apps, books, and subscriptions. It includes iCloud+ as well as features like Private Relay, Hide My Email and HomeKit Secure Video support.
Most importantly, each family member maintains their own Apple ID. If you want to learn more about Apple ID, click here. Additionally, you can establish an Apple ID for children, manage permissions remotely through Screen Time and authorize purchases and downloads from a parent’s device using the Ask to Buy feature. For more information about Parental Control, click here.
Depending on your subscription plan, you can share either 50GB, 200GB or 2TB of iCloud storage.
The current pricing for iCloud+ in Malaysia is as follows:
iCloud+ 50GB: RM3.90 per month, 200GB: RM11.90 per month while 2TB: RM44.90 per month.
To find more details about the iCloud+ plan in Malaysia, click here.
Pro Tip 1
To enhance coordination within your family group thus members can share their locations. Furthermore, you have the ability to assist other family members in locating their Mac devices if they go missing.
With Family Sharing in fact you can conveniently keep tabs on everyone’s whereabouts by utilizing the Find My app to automatically share your location with your family. If privacy is a concern, you can temporarily stop location sharing.
What else can be share on iCloud Family Sharing
Apple Music
All six members of your family will enjoy unlimited access to the music streaming service on their respective devices. Each family member will have their own individual Apple Music account, complete with a personal music library and tailored recommendations.
Calendar
A shared calendar will be automatically generated, enabling all family members to collaborate by adding events and setting up reminders. Every calendar entry or reminder will seamlessly appear on each family member’s device, ensuring everyone stays informed and organized.
Shared photo album
The allows you to share photos, videos, and comments with your Family Sharing Group. It is a convenient way to share moments with your family. It’s important to note that only the photos and videos you manually add will appear in the Family Album.
Important Note
Shared albums have the capacity to store up to 5000 photos and videos. If you reach the limit of your shared album, you will need to delete some existing photos or videos in order to make room for new additions. It’s important to note that the photos, videos, comments and likes shared within the album will remain stored in iCloud until either you or the contributor manually deletes them or until you choose to delete the shared album entirely.
Other Apple subscriptions
If you have subscribed to any Apple services such as TV+, Music, Arcade, News+ or Fitness+, you can extend access to everyone in your family who has their own devices and accounts. By enabling this feature, each family member will have the opportunity to watch, listen, play, and read across multiple devices. Moreover, they will receive personalized recommendations based on their individual viewing, listening and reading preferences.
Pro Tip 2
Shared Albums support various image file types including HEIF, JPEG, RAW, PNG, GIF and TIFF.
Moreover, Shared Albums also accommodate special formats captured with your iPhone such as slo-mo, time-lapse, Live Photos and Memory videos. When shared, photos are resized to 2048 pixels on the longest edge, except for panoramic photos, which can reach a width of up to 5400 pixels.
Additionally, GIFs that are 100MB or smaller can also be shared.
As for video file types, Shared Albums support HEVC, MP4, QuickTime, H.264 and MPEG-4 formats. Videos within Shared Albums can have a maximum duration of fifteen minutes and are delivered at up to 720p resolution.
Privacy concern when using iCloud Family Sharing
By sharing iCloud+, family members are unable to view each other’s photos, files or documents but you will have the ability to monitor the storage usage of everyone in the family. Similarly, when sharing other subscriptions such as Apple Music, Apple Fitness+ or Apple TV+, each individual will only see their own preferences and recommendations, rather than those of the entire family.
If you wish to maintain privacy regarding your app purchases, you can hide them here.
Software requirements and Terms & Conditions
For the Family Sharing feature to be accessible, all family members must have iOS 11 or later on their iPhones, or macOS High Sierra 10.13 or later on their Mac computers.
It’s important to note that each family member can only belong to one family group at a time. Furthermore, there are restrictions on switching to a different family group, allowing for a maximum of two switches per year.
How to set up iCloud Family Sharing
Image source from Apple Support
On your iPhone or iPad:
Go to Settings. Tap your name. Tap Family Sharing, then tap Set Up Your Family. Follow the onscreen instructions to set up your family and invite your family members.
Mac computer with macOS Ventura 13 or later
Choose Apple menu > System Settings. Click your name, then click Family Sharing.
Mac computer with macOS Monterey 12 or earlier
Choose Apple menu > System Preferences, then click Family Sharing. Confirm the Apple ID that you want to use for Family Sharing, and make sure that Share My Purchases is selected. Follow the onscreen instructions.
Conclusion to iCloud Family Sharing
iCloud Family Sharing requires all family members to be using compatible Mac devices and have their software up to date. By utilizing iCloud Family Sharing, families can make the most out of their Apple devices and services while promoting convenience and collaboration among family members.
Contact us
At YP Mac, we offer hassle-free Mac repairs thus with our tagline: “Simplify Mac Repair With Us,” highlighting our commitment to providing convenient solutions for all your Mac-related needs. Our skilled technicians streamline the repair process hence ensuring quick and efficient service. Trust us for a seamless experience and join our satisfied customers today.
Contact us today for any inquiries you might have or visit us at ypmac.com.my
