In short: If Apple Music Family Sharing is not working, sign out and sign in using the correct Apple ID (the same as the organizer), and it should start working again.
Are you having trouble with Apple Music Family Sharing not working? In this article, I’ll share with you a quick guide on how to solve the problem and get it working again.
Not using the same Apple ID country or region
If Apple Music Family Sharing is not working (you’re unable to share purchases or the subscription) please confirm that all of the members are using the same Apple ID region.
This is really important, as Family Sharing won’t work and purchases can’t be shared outside of the Apple ID region that the organizer is registered on.
You’re not using the correct Apple ID
Make sure that you sign in to all Apple services using the same Apple ID that you use for sharing content with your family, otherwise, Family Sharing won’t work.
You don’t need to sign out of any other services that use your Apple ID, such as iCloud or iMessage. Here’s how to check on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch:
- Go to Settings > [your name].
- Tap Media & Purchases.
- Tap Sign Out.
- Tap Media & Purchases again.
- Tap Not [your name]?
- Sign in with the Apple ID that you use for Family Sharing.
Often, the main culprit behind Apple Music Family Sharing not working is simply using the wrong Apple ID. It doesn’t hurt to check the Apple ID you’re using as it takes little time.
Even if you’re using the correct Apple ID, there’s no harm in signing out and signing back in. Nine times out of ten, it should get Family Sharing working again.
Incorrect Family Sharing settings
Make sure that you’re using the same Apple ID for Family Sharing and Media & Purchases, and make sure purchase sharing is turned on. Ask your family members to check their settings too.
On your iPhone or iPad with iOS 16 or later:
- Go to Settings > Family.
- Tap your name.
- Make a note of which Apple ID is listed.
- Tap Purchases.
- Tap Apple ID for Purchases.
Make sure that you’re signed in with the same Apple ID that you use for Family Sharing. If not, tap Share using a secondary Apple ID and enter the Apple ID and password for that Apple ID.
A family member is on a trial period
There’s a catch when it comes to using Apple Music in family sharing.
If a family member has already subscribed to Apple Music on a trial basis, that person won’t be able to access your Apple Music subscription until their trial period has expired.
If you’re the organizer, all you have to do is to wait until the trial period expires and then you should be able to share your Apple Music subscription with another person.
On the other hand, if you’re the person on the trial period, you’ll need to wait until it expires before you can gain access. After the trial period is over, ask the organizer to let you in.
Takes time to sync
Often, Apple Music Family Sharing is not working because it takes time to sync. If you’ve made sure that you’re using the correct Apple ID, your best bet is to rejoin.
On your device: Settings > Name > Family Sharing > Me > Leave Family
Once you have left the FS, have the Organizer send you another invite to the Family.
On the organizer’s device: Settings > Name > Family Sharing > Add Member > Invite via iMessage > click on the link > rejoin the FS.
Once you have rejoined, on your device, go to Settings > Music > confirm Sync Library and Automatic Downloads are enabled.
Try to access the Apple Music content by downloading a song from the Music App.
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