Set up Family Sharing to let household members watch on their own devices

Apple TV sharing works through Family Sharing, a feature that lets up to six family members access the same Apple TV+ subscription, purchases, and iCloud storage from their own devices. You create one family group, assign members, and each person signs in with their own Apple ID on their device—they don't need to share your password.

The person who sets up Family Sharing (the organizer) controls who joins, manages payment methods, and can remove members. Family members can watch simultaneously on different devices, and each person's viewing history and recommendations stay separate.

Key Takeaways

  • Family Sharing is free to set up and lets up to six people share one Apple TV+ subscription across their own devices.
  • The organizer creates the family group and invites members using their email addresses or phone numbers; invitations are sent through iCloud.
  • Each family member signs in with their own Apple ID on their device, so they keep their personal recommendations and watch history separate.
  • Family members can watch at the same time on different devices, and the organizer can remove anyone from the group at any time.
  • If a family member lives outside your household, you can still invite them, but Apple may ask you to confirm the relationship.

How to create a Family Sharing group on your primary device

Start on the device where you pay for Apple TV+. On iPhone or iPad, open Settings, tap your name at the top, then tap Family Sharing. If you don't see it, tap Set Up Family Sharing first. On Mac, open System Settings, click your name in the sidebar, then click Family.

Tap or click get your free guide or Add Family Member. You'll see your own name listed as the organizer. The system will confirm your payment method—this is the card that will be charged for any shared purchases or subscriptions. You can change the payment method later if needed.

Invite family members and manage who can join

In Family Sharing settings, select Add Family Member and enter the email address or phone number of the person you want to invite. They'll receive an invitation through iCloud that they can accept on their own device. They don't need to be in your contacts or live in your home, though Apple may ask you to confirm your relationship if they live far away.

Each invited member will need their own Apple ID. When they accept the invitation and sign in on their device, they automatically gain access to your Apple TV+ subscription. You can invite up to five other people, making six members total in the group.

What each family member can access and watch

All family members share the same Apple TV+ subscription—they watch the same shows and movies you do, with no separate cost. They also share any apps or books you've purchased from the App Store or Books app, though you can hide specific purchases from the shared library if you want.

Each person's watch history, ratings, and recommendations are kept private to their own Apple ID. If one family member is watching a show, another can watch something different at the same time on a different device. There's no limit to how many people can stream simultaneously as long as each person is on their own device.

Remove a family member or leave the group

As the organizer, you can remove someone from Family Sharing at any time. Open Family Sharing settings, find the person's name, and select Remove or Remove from Family. They'll lose access to the shared Apple TV+ subscription when ready, though any apps or books they downloaded will stay on their device.

If you're a family member and want to leave the group, go to Family Sharing settings and select Leave Family. You'll need to set up your own Apple TV+ subscription if you want to keep watching. The organizer can also remove you without your permission.

Troubleshooting common sharing problems

If someone isn't seeing Apple TV+ after joining the family group, have them sign out of their Apple ID completely, then sign back in. On iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > [Your Name] > Sign Out. On Apple TV, go to Settings > Users and Accounts > [Your Name] > Sign Out. After signing back in, the subscription should appear.

If the invitation was never received, check that you entered the correct email address or phone number. Ask the person to check their iCloud notifications or email spam folder. You can also resend the invitation from Family Sharing settings. If someone is still having trouble, they may need to update their device to the latest software version.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I share Apple TV+ with people who don't live with me?

Yes, you can invite anyone with an Apple ID, regardless of where they live. Apple may ask you to confirm your relationship if the person is outside your household, especially if you invite multiple people in different locations. You'll be asked to verify through a prompt on your device.

What happens if someone in my family group buys something from the App Store?

Purchases are charged to the organizer's payment method by default. The organizer can set up purchase approvals so they're notified before a family member buys something, or turn on Ask to Buy to require approval each time. You can also hide specific purchases from the shared library.

Can I have more than one Family Sharing group?

No, one Apple ID can only belong to one Family Sharing group at a time. If you want to switch groups, you'll need to leave your current group first, then accept an invitation to join a different one.

What if I'm the organizer and I want to leave the group?

You'll need to transfer organizer status to another adult family member first. Go to Family Sharing settings, select the person you want to make organizer, and choose Make Organizer. Then you can leave the group. If no one else is in the group, you can leave without transferring.

Do all family members need an Apple device to watch Apple TV+?

No. Family members can watch on any device that has the Apple TV app—that includes Android phones and tablets, Samsung and LG smart TVs, Roku devices, Amazon Fire TV, and web browsers at tv.apple.com. They just need to sign in with their Apple ID.