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Unlock Family Fun: Easy Steps to Share Apple TV Plus with Loved Ones

Discover the step-by-step process of setting up Family Sharing on Apple TV Plus. Learn to enable features like "Ask to Buy" for your kids and share in-app purchases across your loved ones. Control settings as the family organizer and enjoy shared subscriptions comprehensively. Unveil the benefits of group streaming today!

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Published Jan 29, 2024

Ever wondered how to share your Apple TV Plus subscription with your family? You're not alone. It's a common question, and luckily, Apple's made it pretty straightforward.

With Apple's Family Sharing feature, you can share your Apple TV Plus subscription with up to five other people. It's a great way to save money and ensure everyone in your household has access to their favorite shows and movies.

In this guide, we'll walk you through the process step-by-step. So, sit back, relax, and let's get started on sharing that Apple TV Plus goodness with your loved ones.

What is Apple TV Plus

Before diving into the nitty-gritty of sharing your subscription, it's important to understand what exactly Apple TV Plus is. It's Apple's very own streaming platform that is loaded with a plethora of original shows, movies, and documentaries.

It's a standalone service and isn't tied to the existing Apple TV app. You might think of it as Apple's take on Netflix or Hulu. But rather than offering a vast library of content, Apple TV Plus puts its focus firmly on delivering high-quality exclusive offerings. Your subscription offers unlimited, ad-free viewing of all that content.

The platform is accessible on a variety of devices. You're not limited to watching it on an Apple device. You can stream Apple TV Plus content from your iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV device. If you don't have an Apple device, you can also view it on select Smart TVs, gaming consoles, and via the web at tv.apple.com.

Another noteworthy feature is the platform's dynamic pricing. At just $4.99 per month, Apple TV Plus costs less than most of its rivals. With top-tier productions like "The Morning Show", "See", and "Ted Lasso", your subscription gets you access to high-quality content without burning a hole in your wallet.

Having a fair understanding of what Apple TV Plus offers, we can get into making the most of your subscription by learning how to share it with your family. The subsequent sections will delve into the details about how to share your Apple TV Plus subscription through their Family Sharing feature, hence keeping everyone worthy, from your household, always entertained.

It's time to bid goodbye to the days where enjoying your favorite shows and movies was an individual affair. Sharing your Apple TV Plus subscription will turn it into a family union.

Benefits of sharing Apple TV Plus with family

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Apple TV Plus is a feature-rich platform that provides hours of entertainment. Harnessing the full potential of this platform becomes even more enjoyable when you can share it with your family. So, let's dive deep into the manifold benefits you and your family can reap by sharing Apple TV Plus amongst yourselves.

First off, you'll be trimming the overall cost. With Apple's Family Sharing feature, each member gets their own account, including their personalized recommendations. At the same time, you all contribute to a common monthly charge of just $4.99. The math is rather simple here: the more family members you invite, the lower your individual expenses will be.

Being able to share your Apple TV Plus subscription also ensures your privacy. If everyone in your family used the same account, they’d be able to see your watch history. But with Family Sharing, everyone gets their own watchlist and history. It's also a serious win for your personal algorithm— no interference from other family members' choices.

On top of it all, sharing grants everyone in your family access to the wealth of original content available on Apple TV Plus. From bold, award-winning dramas like The Morning Show and Ted Lasso to mesmerizing documentaries and kid-friendly shows, the shared access guarantees there's something for everyone.

Consider also the versatility of the platform. Whether you're using a Mac, an iPhone, an iPad, or even a non-Apple device like a smart TV or streaming stick, Apple TV Plus is readily accessible. With shared access, everyone in the family can watch whenever they want, from wherever they want.

We've just scratched the surface of the iceberg here. There are countless other minor yet significant benefits that arise when you share Apple TV Plus with your family. Now that you've seen how advantageous it can be, let's move on to the next section that will walk you through the process of setting up Family Sharing for Apple TV Plus.

Setting up Family Sharing on Apple TV Plus

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Ready to take the plunge and set up Family Sharing on your Apple TV Plus? It's a simple, straightforward process and you'll be up and running in no time.

First off, you'll tackle the initial setup on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac; you can't actually initiate this process on the Apple TV itself. All you need is the Apple ID you use for iCloud – it's the key to your undertaking.

Open your Settings on your device and tap on your name at the top. Next, navigate to Family Sharing – it's quite intuitive once you're in there. Tap 'Set Up Your Family' and follow the onscreen instructions – you'll even be prompted to invite up to five family members via their email addresses.

Once that’s done, let's iron out the finer details:

  • Activation: Setting up Family Sharing automatically pumps life into the Ask to Buy feature for children under 13.
  • In-app purchases: Paid apps and games downloaded by one family member will become available for others to download at no extra charge.
  • Apple TV Plus: As soon as Family Sharing is turned on, your subscription applies to everyone in the group - all separate, all private.

Just remember, for Apple TV Plus, each family member needs their own Apple ID that's linked to the Family Sharing group – they can't use the family organizer’s account.

Now it's time to enjoy the magic on your Apple TV. When you open up the Apple TV app, you should find Apple TV Plus already primed for viewing. Should you run into any snags or speed bumps, remember there's a wealth of help at your fingertips – Apple has a comprehensive support page for Family Sharing, complete with tutorial videos.

Adding family members to your Apple TV Plus subscription

Now that we've set the scene for family sharing on Apple TV Plus, it's time to get hands-on. Here are the steps to invite your loved ones to your subscription.

Let's start on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, since these are the required devices for the initial setup. Before moving forward, just ensure that you've signed in with the Apple ID you use for iCloud. This is critical as all sharing functions revolve around your iCloud account.

To begin adding family members, navigate to the Apple ID settings, select Set Up Family Sharing. Here's where you can invite up to five people via their email addresses. It's an easy, straightforward process - simply follow the onscreen instructions and you're good to go.

Once invited, each family member will receive an email or a push notification if they're on iOS. To accept the invite, they need to click Join Family. It's important, however, that they are signed in to their devices with Apple IDs they would like to link with Family Sharing.

Getting technical for a moment, after setting up Family Sharing and adding members, certain features will be automatically activated. Ask to Buy is one such feature that gets enabled for children under 13. Also, in-app purchases become accessible to every member of the Family Sharing group - an excellent way to share those addictive games and useful productivity apps!

Moreover, it's vital to stress that your Apple TV Plus subscription will now apply to everyone in the group. So, everyone gets to enjoy those magnificent shows together.

Note: Apple has a comprehensive support page on Family Sharing, so you can access this resource if you need further assistance.

Getting your Apple TV Plus ready for the whole family is indeed a game-changer. You're already reaping the rewards of this mighty fine streaming service, why not share the love and enjoyment? Be sure to add all your family members to your Apple TV Plus subscription - it's a simple process that offers significant benefits.

Managing Apple TV Plus settings for family members

After your family members have accepted your invitation to join your Apple TV Plus Family Sharing group, you're the gatekeeper of the account, wielding the talents to manage the account settings. This part is crucial as you'd want a say in the content your kids view and your family's overall digital wellbeing.

Setting Restrictions for Children Under 18

With Family Sharing on Apple TV Plus, it's possible to set controls over what your kids can access. Your role as a family organizer allows you to limit the content ratings for movies, TV shows, and apps swinging towards the mature audience. Through Screen Time settings on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, enable "Content Privacy & Restrictions" to set according to your preferred threshold.

Feature

|

Age Limit

|


Movies

|

Up to PG-13
TV Shows

|

Up to TV-14
Apps

|

Up to 12+

Remember, the "Ask to Buy" feature is automatically enabled for children under 13. This feature prompts you with a request every time your child wants to make an in-app purchase or download a new app.

Sharing In-App Purchases

One of the best perks of setting up Apple TV Plus Family Sharing is the ability to share in-app purchases. Once Family Sharing is activated, in-app purchases from any family member can be accessed by everyone in the group. Over time, this feature could help you save big bucks in a family of avid streamers and gamers.

To shed more light on these features and help you get the most out of your Apple TV Plus subscription, you can always refer to the comprehensive Apple support page for Family Sharing. You never have to worry about navigating the ins and outs of Apple TV Plus settings, as you're equipped with all the tools necessary to manage your family's digital entertainment hub.

Conclusion

So, you've learned how to share your Apple TV Plus with your family. It's a straightforward process, done on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. With your Apple ID for iCloud, you can invite up to five family members. Once you've set up Family Sharing, everyone gets to enjoy the Apple TV Plus subscription. Remember, each family member needs their own Apple ID linked to the group. You, as the family organizer, have the power to manage settings and set restrictions for minors. The "Ask to Buy" feature is a handy tool for controlling purchases by kids under 13. Isn't it great to share your favorite shows and movies with your loved ones? With Apple's comprehensive support for Family Sharing, you're all set for a shared entertainment experience. Enjoy the show!

Q1: Can Family Sharing on Apple TV Plus be set up on the Apple TV itself?

No, the initial setup for Family Sharing on Apple TV Plus must be done on an iPhone, iPad, or Mac using your Apple ID for iCloud.

Q2: How many family members can be invited to the Family Sharing group?

You can invite up to five family members to the Family Sharing group using their email addresses.

Q3: What is the role of the Ask to Buy feature in Family Sharing?

When Family Sharing is activated, the Ask to Buy feature is automatically enabled for children under 13, allowing parents to review and approve their app purchases.

Q4: Can in-app purchases be shared among the Family Sharing group?

Yes, with Family Sharing activated on Apple TV Plus, in-app purchases can be shared among family members.

Q5: Are there any restrictions control for family members under 18?

Yes, as the family organizer, you have control over the account settings and can set restrictions for children under 18.

Q6: Where can I find more information if I encounter a problem setting up Family Sharing?

Apple maintains a comprehensive support page dedicated to Family Sharing where you can find further assistance.

This article was originally published on 29 Jan 2024 but has been regularly updated to keep the information current.
Kyle Crisp
Kyle has been using Apple products for over 25 years. He loves helping people learn how to use their Apple devices.
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