Here is how to enable Family Sharing for Apple ID that you are using to buy Apps from AppStore, eBooks from iBooks Store, Songs from iTunes Store using your own iOS devices like iPhone, iPad and iPod touch or even Macintosh OSX just to share your purchases within your family members and save money.

One of the best feature of owning the Mac or any iOS device with Apple ID is that you can setup your family sharing with your account so that family head can share his credit / debit card purchases within his family members.

 
Apple allow to setup family sharing up to six members.

 
Family head with adult age can approve or buy app, songs, ebooks for his family member so that no duplicate purchase would be made of same digital content which leads to financial savings.

 

Here is what Apple say about it’s Family Sharing feature: Family Sharing makes it easy for up to six people in your family to share each other’s iTunes, iBooks, and App Store purchases without sharing accounts. Pay for family purchases with the same credit card and approve kids’ spending right from a parent’s device. And share photos, a family calendar, and more to help keep everyone connected.

 
Here is in detail how to setup ‘Family Sharing’:

 

Assumption & Prerequisites:

1. You have valid Apple ID to sign in to iCloud & iTunes
2. You have updated iOS device such as iPhone / iPad / iPod touch / & Macintosh
3. Valid Credit / Debit Card on iTunes Account

 
Keep this Handy when you will start to create and activate family sharing as an family organiser:

1. Make sure that you’re using a credit card as your iTunes Store and App Store payment method.
2. Keep Credit / Debit Card handy with CVV or security code in sight.
3. Once you add member to your family sharing Apple will send verification email to respective member to let him to choose to accept or not to accept family sharing membership. Then he has to sign in to his respective email account to open that email then click on verification link which will navigate him to Apple ID portal where he has to sign in with his current Apple id which will mark that he has accepted the request.
4. If your family member is with you, they can enter their Apple ID password on your device to accept the invitation. You can also send them an invitation, and they can accept from their device.

 
Here is How to Start Family Sharing Group:

 
One adult in the family i.e. family organiser can set up Family Sharing for the group from their iOS device or Mac.

 
Note: When you set up Family Sharing, you’ll be asked to confirm that you agree to pay for purchases initiated by the family members you invite and that you have a valid payment method on file.

 
Follow these steps on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch:

1. Go to Settings > iCloud.
2. Tap Set Up Family Sharing, then tap Get Started.
3. Confirm that you want to be the family organiser and that you’re signed in with your personal Apple ID.
4. Follow the onscreen instructions.

 
Follow these steps on your Mac:

1. Choose Apple menu > System Preferences > iCloud.
2. Click Set Up Family.
3. Follow the onscreen instructions.

 
Here is How to invite people to join your family sharing group:

 
You can add anyone to your family who has an valid Apple ID. Every invitee & inviter should be using latest version of iOS or OS X operating systems.

 
Invite family member from your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch:

1. Settings > iCloud > Family > Add Family Member.
2. Enter your family member’s name or email address.
3. Follow the onscreen instructions.

 
Invite family member from your Mac:

1. Apple menu > System Preferences > iCloud.
2. Click Manage Family.
3. Click ‘+’ then follow the onscreen instructions.

 
Here is how you can see if your family member accepted the invitation
After you send the invitation, you can check its status under the person’s name in Settings > iCloud > Family on your iOS device. On your Mac, Apple menu > System Preferences > iCloud > Manage Family. Then select that person’s name to see the status of the invitation. If you want to resend the invitation, select Resend Invitation.

 
Here is how to join a family group
You can accept or decline an invitation to join a family from your device:

1. In iOS 8 or later on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, go to Settings > iCloud > Invitations.
2. In OS X Yosemite on your Mac, choose Apple menu > System Preferences > iCloud > Manage Family. If the invitation is sent to your email address, you can also respond right from your email.

 
Here is what it takes to accept an invitation:

1. You will be asked to confirm your Apple ID and password.
2. You will be asked if you want to share your content and which Apple ID you want to share from.
3. You will be asked if you want to share your location. If you agree, your location can be displayed on family members’ devices in Find My Friends and Messages, and the location of your shared devices will also appear on family members’ devices in Find My iPhone.

 
Benefits of enabling Family Sharing:

1. Download eligible music, movies, TV shows, books, and apps from the iTunes, iBooks, and App Store.
2. Share photos and videos with your family privately.
3. Enable / Activate use of unified Family calendar.
4. Find your family member’s location with the Find My Friends app.
5. Help family member to find his / her device with the Find My iPhone app.
6. Manage your child’s account by turning on Ask to Buy manage his / her purchases.

 
Important Note:

1. To share purchased content, you need to turn on Share My Purchases and use the iTunes Store in the same country as your family members.
2. Music, movies, TV shows, and books can be downloaded on up to 10 devices per account, five of which can be computers.
3. Not all content is eligible for Family Sharing.
4. You can only join one family at a time and you can only switch to a different family group once per year.

 
Important Link: Apple ID Creation & Management Portal

 
Hope it helps,

 
Thanks & Regards
Mandar Apte