Using Family Sharing in OS X

In OS X El Capitan, and iCloud, the Family Sharing function enables you to share items that you have downloaded from the App Store, such as music and movies, with up to six other family members, as long as they have an Apple ID. Once this has been set up (see Setting up Family Sharing in OS X) it is also possible to share items such as family calendars, photos and even see where family members’ devices are located.

Sharing music

To share music, and other content from the iTunes Store, such as movies and TV shows:

Step 1
Click on the iTunes app on the Dock

 

 

 

Step 2
Click on the Purchased link

 

 

 

 

 

Step 3
By default, your own purchases are displayed. Click on the Purchased button to view other members of Family Sharing

 

 

 

Step 4
Click on another family member to view their purchases (they will be able to do this for your purchases too)

 

 

 

 

 

Step 5
Click on the iCloud button to download the other family member’s music tracks or albums

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sharing apps

Apps can also be shared from the App Store. To do this:

Step 1
Click on the App Store app on the Dock

 

 

 

Step 2
Click on the Purchases button

 

 

 

Step 3
By default, your own purchases are displayed. Click on the My Purchases button to view other members of Family Sharing

 

 

Step 4
Click on another family member to view and download their purchased apps (they will be able to do this for your apps too)

 

 

 

Sharing books

Books can also be shared in a similar way to items from the iTunes Store and the App Store. To do this:

Step 1
Click on the iBooks app on the Dock

 

 

 

Step 2
Click on the iBooks Store button

 

 

Step 3
Click on the Purchased link

 

 

 

 

Step 4
By default, your own purchases are displayed. Click on the Purchased button to view other members of Family Sharing and any books they have downloaded

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sharing calendars

Family Sharing also generates a Family calendar that can be used by all Family Sharing members:

Step 1
Open the Calendar app

 

 

 

Step 2
Click and hold on a date to create a New Event. The current calendar (shown in the top right-hand corner) will probably not be the Family one. Click on the drop-down button to change the calendar

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Step 3
Click on the Family calendar

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Step 4
Complete the details for the event. It will be added to your calendar, with the Family color tag. Other people in your Family Sharing circle will have this event added to their Family calendar too and they will be sent a notification

 

 

 

 

 

Want to know more?

To find out more about using all the features of OS X, all in the trusted In Easy Steps style, click here. In full-colour and straightforward, jargon-free language, OS X El Capitan in easy steps gives you all the information you need to get started using OS X on a Mac computer, so you will quickly feel in control of it!