"Set up Family Sharing option" missing from iCloud settings

I'm trying to set up a child (under 13) via. my Apple ID/iPod touch.
There is no "Set up Family Sharing" option when we go to Settings > iCloud.
What do I do?

Hi Elliot,
Happy Holidays! To set up Family Sharing, you need to have iOS 8 on your iPod touch. Check to see if you have updated to the latest version, which is 8.1.2 on your device.
Update the iOS software on your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support
http://support.apple.com/en-is/ht4623
iOS software updates introduce new features that let you do even more with your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. Be sure to keep your devices up to date so that you don't miss out on the latest features.
Before you update
Back up your device to iCloud or iTunes.
If you use your device's Personal Hotspot for your computer's Internet connection, update your device wirelessly or connect your computer to another network.
Update your device wirelessly
The easiest way to update your device is wirelessly, also called “over the air.” Here’s how:
Plug in your device to a power source.
Tap Settings > General > Software Update.
Tap Download and Install. Updates might download automatically while your device is connected to Wi-Fi and a power source.
Tap Install, or tap Later to install the update later. If you use a passcode, you'll need to enter it before installing the update.
If you have some free space, but not enough to update over the air, you can either update using iTunes or delete content manually from your device. Whether you use iTunes or update over the air, you'll have the same amount of free space on your device after you update.
The resource below explains how to set up Family Sharing and how to create an Apple ID for your child.
Start or join a family group using Family Sharing - Apple Support
http://support.apple.com/en-is/HT201088
Start or join a family group using Family Sharing
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.
Use the steps below to start a new family group or join an existing family group. You can be a part of only one family at a time.Get started
Here's what you'll need to use Family Sharing:
An Apple ID signed in to iCloud and iTunes
iOS 8 on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch or OS X Yosemite on your Mac
Start a family group
One adult in the family—the family organizer—can set up Family Sharing for the group. 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. Valid payment methods for setting up Family Sharing include credit cards and debit cards.
Set up Family Sharing
Use these steps in iOS 8:
Go to Settings > iCloud.
Tap Set Up Family Sharing, then tap Get Started.
Confirm that you want to be the family organizer and that you're signed in with your personal Apple ID.
Follow the onscreen instructions.
Use these steps in OS X Yosemite:
Choose Apple menu > System Preferences, then click iCloud.
Click Set Up Family.
Follow the onscreen instructions.
After you set up Family Sharing, you can invite your family members to join.Invite people to join your family
Use these steps in iOS 8:
Go to Settings > iCloud > Family > Add Family Member.
Enter your family member's name or email address.
Follow the onscreen instructions. After you send the invitation, you can check its status under the person's name in Settings > iCloud > Family.
Use these steps in OS X Yosemite:
Choose Apple menu > System Preferences, then click iCloud.
Click Manage Family.
Click +, then follow the onscreen instructions.
You can also use these steps to create an Apple ID for a child and add them to your family group. When you create an account for a child, you must use a credit card as the payment method as part of providing your parental consent. After you create the child's Apple ID, you can change your payment method back to a debit card if you choose.Join a family group
You can accept or decline an invitation to join a family from you iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Mac. If the invitation is sent to your email address, you can also respond right from your email. To accept an invitation in iOS 8, go to Settings > iCloud > Invitations. In OS X Yosemite, choose Apple menu > System Preferences > iCloud > Manage Family. Then follow the onscreen instructions.
Here's what you'll be asked to do when you join:
Confirm your Apple ID and password.
Choose if you want to share your content and which iTunes Store account you want to share from.
Choose 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.
What's next
You can share eligible iTunes Store, iBooks Store, and App Store content, family photos, a family calendar, your location, and more.
Get help using Family Sharing.
See what you can share and how to download content from your family members. You need to use the iTunes Store in the same country as your family members to use Family Sharing.
Choose when to share your location with your family members.
Learn about family purchases and payments.
Manage your child's account and use Ask to Buy.
Learn more
Family Sharing requires a personal Apple ID signed in to iCloud and iTunes. Music, movies, TV shows, and books can be downloaded on up to 10 devices per account, five of which can be computers. iOS 8 and OS X Yosemite are required to set up or join a Family Sharing group and are recommended for full functionality. Not all content is eligible for Family Sharing. Content can be hidden by family members; hidden content is not available for download. Content downloaded from family members or acquired via redemption codes is not subject to Ask to Buy.
Last Modified: Oct 16, 2014
Cheers!
- Judy

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No "Family Sharing" Entry Shown in iCloud Settings

Hi,
I set up family sharing a while back on all of our devices including my wife's iPhone 4s (running iOS 8.2). My wife now wants to share her location with the rest of the family, however when we go into iCloud settings on her phone there is no "Family Sharing" menu entry. We also can't find a "Share My Location" setting under iCloud settings or under Privacy/location services. Any ideas on what is happening here? All advice will be greatly appreciated.
Best regards,
Rob.

go to password & security in the iCloud setting. You should see birthday and the word add.

Another "This itunes account is set up to use family sharing with a different icloud account than Apple ID "

I saw another thread on the matter but thought I would post because the circumstances are different. Here is how it happened.
I have had an Apple Store account for years and until recently our family has only had our one Mac and my iPhone 4. Thus any purchases we have made on the Apple App Store were made only with this account.
We recently purchased two iPhone 5S's--one for my wife and one for my daughter. Neither had Apple IDs so first we set up my wife's iPhone and created an Apple ID for her. Next we used the Family Sharing feature to set up an account for our "under age 13" daughter.
Because I am still waiting for my iPhone 6 Plus to arrive, and because the iPhone 4 cannot upgrade to iOS 8, and because my Apple ID is the only account with any apps that have been purchased in prior years, I set up my wife as the Family Organizer but when I set up her account, I chose the option to "share purchases from a different account" and entered the information for my Apple ID.
My daughter is able to view my prior purchases on her iPhone, but when my wife tries to view my prior purchases, she receives the message "This iTunes account is set up to use Family Sharing with a different iCloud account than <her Apple ID>."
I hope Apple is reading this. I would be more than willing to help them on this one as this feature is one of the main reasons I put our family on iPhones.

I had this problem. I finally figured it out yesterday. Try this:
On the device that is having trouble seeing purchases, go to Settings>iCloud>Family Sharing> Then tap on the user of the device you are on. Under "Family Purchases" make sure it has the AppleID of the person for that device. Mine originally had my husbands AppleID in there (he is the Organizer), but I changed it to mine. That doesn't make it so that the purchases are under me. The purchases remained under my husband, but my ID had to be in this spot for it to work.
After that, I closed settings, then I went to Settings>iTunes and App Store> click on the AppleID and Sign Out, even if it has the right AppleID in there. Then Sign In again using the AppleID of the person on that device. Again-- even if it has the right ID in there to start, still sign out and back in.
See if they show up. If they don't show up still, try doing a restart (hold down power button and home button until it restarts).
They should show up by then, but if they don't, at that point, try to go into iCloud and Sign Out and back in.
I think the key is having the right ID in "Family Purchases". I hope this works for you.

I am trying to set up family sharing and do not have the setup option when logged in, help!

I am trying to set up family sharing and do not have the setup option when logged in, help!

Hello Carney10,
Thank you for visiting Apple Support Communities.
When you say you do not have the setup option for Family Sharing, that seems like you log into the iCloud System Preference but the "Set Up Family" button is not there.
Is your Mac updated to Yosemite?
Family Sharing - Apple Support
iOS 8 and OS X Yosemite are required to set up or join a Family Sharing group and are recommended for full functionality.
Where in the setup are the options not available or working?
OS X Yosemite: Set up Family Sharing
Best regards,
Nubz

HT203905 Why must all payments come from the family organizer if you set up family sharing?

most families set up seperate apple ids for their children so they can spend their own giftcards. if I am reading this right, then to enable family sharing you must supply a credit card. WHY? It would have been better to keep the option of "none" when setting up family sharing. doing so would have allowed me to share a song we all enjoy as a family.

Unfortunately, we aren't allowed to speculate on Apple policies here and aren't privy to any information other than what Apple publishes. And yes, from what I've read, you do need to set up a credit card. Here is some info:
OS X Yosemite: Set up Family Sharing
OS X Yosemite: Manage the family you organized

"this itunes account is set up to use family sharing with a different iCloud account"

I set up an iCloud family. Until now, everyone had their own iCloud account, and we had a separate iTunes ID (not an iCloud e-mail address) that all of our purchases were made under.
So, I set up that Apple ID as the master account and added everyone's personal iCloud accounts as members.
Then, I went into iTunes prefs and logged in as my iCloud account.
When I go to the App store and go to Purchased, it says:
"this itunes account is set up to use family sharing with a different iCloud account than <my iTunes Apple ID>." Then there is a Learn More link that takes me to my iCloud and shows my family group with the same Apple ID as the organizer.
Does anyone have any idea what happened to cause it to think that I am not in the same family group?
Thanks.

Update...I now notice:
Going to: App Store>Updates>Purchases:
1) The message “This iTunes account is set up to use family sharing with a different iCloud account other than <her iCloud ID>...” Is now showing up on my iPhone and can no longer see any of my purchases or hers.
2) The same message above is now showing on my iPad mini (it didn’t before). But, I can still see both hers and my purchases on my iPad mini.
3) The message "This iTunes account is set up to use family sharing with a different iCloud account other than <my iCloud ID>…” still showing on her iPhone and she still can’t see her or my purchases.
iTunes Family Sharing still works fine.
Note: If I Go to Settings>iTunes & App Store then log out of my Apple ID, then go to App Store>Updates>Purchases and log into my Apple ID from there, My purchases show up (not hers). I then toggle between Updates and Purchases and the message pops up and unable to see any purchases, again. Same thing happens when I do it to her phone except her purchases show up (not mine).
I emailed this update to Apple...waiting for a reply.

In Settings\iCloud Don't See "upgrade to iCloud drive" or "set up family sharing"

I would like to use family sharing. We have iOS8, but in Settings\iCloud we don't see "upgrade to iCloud drive" or "set up family sharing". I am unsure what else to do. I searched support, but they all see to assume we can see these settings.
Help!

Hi wmcknigh,
Welcome to Apple Support Communities.
The article below should help you resolve the issue with shared content not appearing after setting up Family sharing on the MacBook Pros.
If you don't see your family's shared content - Apple Support
Cheers,
-Jason

Can you set up family sharing from a mac air instead of an iphone

I am interested in sharing an ibook with my wife who has an iphone. I have a Mac Air but don't have an iphone. Is it possible to set up family sharing from my Mac Air with my Apple ID as the primary?

Yes, it is, assuming your Mac is running Yosemite: Start or join a family group using Family Sharing - Apple Support

How do I set up family sharing when one family member doesn't have an apple id but is currently using mine?

I am trying to set up family sharing for my wife and me. I have a Macbook pro (running OS X Yosemite 10.10.1) and an iPhone 6. My wife has an iPad 2 and an iPhone 4s. All software is up to date. Currently we have one Apple ID which has both of our email addresses. Do I need to delete one of the email addresses and open up a new apple account with that email address? Will we lose anything if we do that?

Hi jas717,
Welcome to the Apple Support Communities!
Because there are only two of you, the solution that I may recommend for sharing content would be to use one Apple ID (the one you already have) for iTunes and App Store purchases between both of you. This will allow the both of you have access to the same purchased content. If you would like to have different Contacts, Calendars, etc., you can create a second Apple ID for use with iCloud. This will allow you both to have separate iCloud information but still have access to all purchased content from iTunes and the App Store.
Set up your Apple ID for iCloud and iTunes - Apple Support
Use one Apple ID for iCloud and a different Apple ID for Store purchases
You can use different Apple IDs for iCloud and Store purchases and still get all of the benefits of iCloud.
iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch
When you first set up your device with iOS 5 or later, enter the Apple ID you want to use with iCloud. If you skipped the setup assistant, sign in to Settings > iCloud and enter the Apple ID you’d like to use with iCloud.
In Settings > iTunes and App Stores, sign in with the Apple ID you want to use for Store purchases. You might need to sign out first to change the Apple ID.
If I have misunderstood the situation or you are still curious about Family Sharing, please refer to the attached article for information on how to set up and use Family Sharing.
Start or join a family group using Family Sharing - Apple Support
Have a great day,
Joe

How do i set up family sharing?

My phone isn't allowing me to set up a family sharing account with my family. The message keeps popping up saying that "only an adult with a valid iTunes & App Store payment method can set up Family Sharing. Ask a parent to set up Family Sharing from iCloud Settings." I am the parent of the family, therefore why is it not allowing me to create the account?

Hi jas717,
Welcome to the Apple Support Communities!
Because there are only two of you, the solution that I may recommend for sharing content would be to use one Apple ID (the one you already have) for iTunes and App Store purchases between both of you. This will allow the both of you have access to the same purchased content. If you would like to have different Contacts, Calendars, etc., you can create a second Apple ID for use with iCloud. This will allow you both to have separate iCloud information but still have access to all purchased content from iTunes and the App Store.
Set up your Apple ID for iCloud and iTunes - Apple Support
Use one Apple ID for iCloud and a different Apple ID for Store purchases
You can use different Apple IDs for iCloud and Store purchases and still get all of the benefits of iCloud.
iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch
When you first set up your device with iOS 5 or later, enter the Apple ID you want to use with iCloud. If you skipped the setup assistant, sign in to Settings > iCloud and enter the Apple ID you’d like to use with iCloud.
In Settings > iTunes and App Stores, sign in with the Apple ID you want to use for Store purchases. You might need to sign out first to change the Apple ID.
If I have misunderstood the situation or you are still curious about Family Sharing, please refer to the attached article for information on how to set up and use Family Sharing.
Start or join a family group using Family Sharing - Apple Support
Have a great day,
Joe

How do I set up Family Sharing for my kids without owning a device myself?

My kids received iPads for Christmas. I neither have an iPad nor an iPhone, but I would like to set up Family Sharing. How can I do this from my account without owning one of said devices? I have installed iCloud for Windows, but I cannot log into it (valid iTunes account, but not set up for iCloud).
I cannot be the only parent in the world whose kids have iPads, but I don't.
Many thanks

Hey Wendaroski,
I am not quite sure what you mean by "my family members emails are already associated with my iTunes account" but what you need for each family member is an Apple ID. Yours would be the one for your iTunes account.
If the other members of the family already have an Apple ID you can invite them to join the family group. If not they will need to create one, using their email address. This article shows how -
Set up an Apple ID in iTunes - Apple Support
Thanks for using Apple Support Communities.
Be well,
Brett L

What is the best way of setting up Family Sharing?

I just bought my son an iPad Mini and I am trying to decide on what is the best way of setting it up for him. The one thing I do know is that I do NOT want all the content that is my iPhone 6 to pop up on his iPad Mini. I want his iPad to be used for his games and educational stuff and his own music. I don't mind setting up a family photo album and share photos with the family. So is the Family Sharing option the best way of doing this based on what I just mentioned? Do I set him up with his own Apple ID? If so will everything still be based off my account so he won't have to create his own iTunes Library?
I always use iTunes gift cards to purchase music and content. Will I be able to continue to use them even if I want to put some new content on his iPad and not my iPhone? Do I enter in his Apple ID info. Can you restrict certain family members to just certain things for example you only want to share photos with one person whereas you might want to share your music with another family member?
Any suggestions on the best way of setting this up would great!
Thanks!

Hi DVX100Shooter,
Congratulations on getting your son a new iPad, I am sure he will enjoy it.
Family Sharing is one way of managing both purchases and content between members of a related group of people. Each member must have their own Apple ID. You can choose what music you wish to share with the family from your own account. See this article -
OS X Yosemite: Share purchases with your family
In particular the section titled Hide a purchase from other family members
The music library on your son's iPad is separate from yours, but under Family Sharing you agree to pay for all purchases made through the iTunes store. If you wish to control what is purchased you can set up the Ask to Buy option for any family member under adult age in your location. See this article for details -
Request and make purchases with Ask to Buy - Apple Support
Gift cards may not be used for billing of purchases under family sharing, with the exception that a family member may use gift cards to purchase their own content. See this article for information about Family Sharing billing policies -
Family purchases and payments - Apple Support
The shared family photo album is available to all family members.
Family Sharing - Apple Support
Thanks for using Apple Support Communities.
Best,
Brett L

Too many id's need help setting up family sharing

We currently have one apple id (tjc) that is associated with the apple store and one that is associated with itunes (m7). The itunes one (m7) does not have an icloud account attached to it, used only for purchases from itunes store. Husband uses the apple store id (tjc) and I have my own (jj). Can I set up family sharing with the itunes id (m7) as the purchaser? Or how do I keep all my itunes purchases if we make husbands/apple store id (tjc) the primary?
Currently running OS X yosemite and ios 8 on an imac, iphones, and ipads.
Thanks for your assistance!

Hi bremaura,
Thanks for the question. If I understand correctly, you want to havde all purchases from one Apple ID available in Family sharing. I would recommend that you read this article, it may be able to help you isolate or resolve the issue.
Family Sharing - Apple Support
All your family’s purchases, on all your family’s devices.
Once you’ve set up Family Sharing, all the eligible songs, albums, movies, TV shows, books, and apps ever purchased by family members are immediately available to everyone else in the family. And, of course, so are new purchases.
Thanks for using Apple Support Communities.
Have a great day,
Mario

Can I set up Family sharing in Canada with out a credit card?

Hi
I am having a problem setting up family sharing. I do not have a computer, so I am trying to set up family sharing off my iPad Air 2. When I set up my Apple ID a few years ago i chose no payment option. I don't have a credit card and have no want for one.
I tried to set up family sharing and it wants me to update my payment option. When I go to select a different payment option in my account it only shows credit card options. So I did some reading on Apples' site and it states I can use a debit card. However I can not find that option when I go to change it.
I am doing this on my iPad and I do live in Canada.
Would this be the reason I can not update my payment option to a debit card? Or am I missing something.
Thank you for your help!

Norby,
iTunes Family Sharing requires a credit card to set up, as a way of establishing that you -- the Family Organizer -- are the financially responsible adult for the associated minors.
Once the account is set up, you can switch to a debit card.

Can't set up Family Sharing...requires new payment info

I have an Apple ID and it is fully set up to bill my PayPal account for iTunes and apps purchases. I just checked PayPal and my account is in good standing.
I tried to set up Family Sharing on the Mac. I did System Preferences->iCloud->Set Up Family->Continue->Continue->Continue.
I get the dialog "Add a payment method to enable Family Sharing. Family Sharing requires a valid payment method. Add a payment method to “[email protected]” in your iTunes account." If I click Add, it throws me into Safari and show that I have a PayPal account as my Payment Type.
So, I'm completely stuck since the iCloud panel keeps asking me to set up a payment method and I already have one. I even tried reconfiguring the PayPal account as the payment method.
Is this Apple being insidious and not accepting PayPal since they are a competition to Apple Pay?
When I look at System Preferences->iCloud->Account Details I see an expired MasterCard. How do I get rid of that???

Hi Double E,
Family Sharing can only be set up from a Mac running Mac OS X 10.10 (Yosemite) or an iOS device such as an iPhone running iOS 8. See this article for reference -
Family Sharing - Apple Support
So you could set up the Family Sharing from your son's iPad using your Apple ID. See this article for how to sign in with a different Apple ID -
Sign in with a different Apple ID on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support
Note that the Ask to Buy feature of Family Sharing requires the person approving purchases to be using either Yosemite or iOS 8. See this article -
Request and make purchases with Ask to Buy - Apple Support
Thanks for using Apple Support Communities.
Best,
Brett L

"Set up Family Sharing option" missing from iCloud settings

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