How do we connect multiple Apple ID's to one common account?, How do we connect multiple Apple ID's to one common account?

Question

My wife and daughter both have iPhones - they like different music and Apps.  How can we keep their iTunes accounts separate, but allow them to both get access to the paid apps and music we currently have in the one account?

Answer 1

Hello JamyandTami,
It sounds like you purchase all the apps and music for your wife and daughter with one Apple ID, but you want to sync different information to each iPhone.  I recommend using method 2 in the article below and just syncing the information you want to each phone using a playlist for the music and selecting only the apps you want on each device:
Method Two
You may use multiple devices on a computer without the need to create multiple user accounts. To do this, you can set iTunes to update each device with only certain playlists. This method allows you to put all your music on, say, your iPod and keep your iPod shuffle updated with only your workout music. Here's how to do this with iTunes:
Create new iTunes playlists that contain all the music that you want to sync to each device.
Learn how to sync your device.
I recommend reviewing the full article if you would like to see other options:
How to use multiple iPhone, iPad, or iPod devices with one computer
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1495
You can also download only what you want from the App and iTunes Store to each respective device using the steps in this article:
Downloading past purchases from the App Store, iBookstore, and iTunes Store
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2519
With either of these methods, you would want to disable automatic downloads on each device so that any new purchases are not automatically downloaded on your wife's phone when your daughter downloads something and vice versa:
iTunes Store: How to enable Automatic Downloads
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4539
Thank you for using Apple Support Communities.
Best,
Sheila M.