How Do I Add to My Apple Family?

To add someone to your Apple Family Sharing group, you will typically go to Settings and manage your family settings there. Depending on whether the person already has an Apple ID or if you need to create one for a child, the process will differ slightly.

The primary steps involve accessing the family settings on your device. Go to Settings > Family. From this menu, you have options to add existing members or create new accounts for children.

Steps to Add a Family Member

Adding family members allows you to share purchases, subscriptions, storage, location, and more. Here's a breakdown of the common methods based on the provided reference:

Adding Someone with an Existing Apple ID

If the person you want to add already has their own Apple ID, you will send them an invitation. This method is used for adults, teens, and children who already possess an account.

• Step 1: Go to Settings > Family.
• Step 2: Tap Invite Others.
• Step 3: Choose how you want to invite them (e.g., Messages, AirDrop).
• Step 4: The invited person accepts the invitation on their device.

Note: As mentioned in the reference, if your child already has an Apple Account, tap Invite Others. This confirms that inviting is the way to add existing accounts, including those for children.

Creating a New Apple ID for a Child

For a child who doesn't yet have an Apple ID, you can create one specifically designed for Family Sharing. This allows the family organizer to manage parental controls and spending.

• Step 1: Go to Settings > Family.
• Step 2: Tap Create Child Account.
• Step 3: Follow the on-screen prompts to enter the child's birth date, create an Apple ID (usually an iCloud email address), and set up necessary permissions and controls.

This method is explicitly for setting up a brand new account linked directly to your family group from the start.

Summarizing the Options

Here's a quick overview of the main ways to add family members:

Using the Settings > Family menu is the central starting point for all family management tasks, including adding new members, as described in the provided information.