Published on

Using Family Sharing on Android

Authors
  • avatar
    Name
    how-to.digital
    Twitter

Using Family Sharing on Android

Family Sharing is a valuable feature available on Android devices that allows you to share digital content, such as apps, games, movies, TV shows, and books, with your family members. It promotes collaboration and enables you to manage purchases and subscriptions in an organized manner. In this tutorial, we will guide you through the process of setting up and using Family Sharing on Android.

Prerequisites

To use Family Sharing on Android, you need the following:

  • An Android device running Android OS version 4.4 (KitKat) or above.
  • A Google account signed in on your Android device.
  • Family members who also have Google accounts and Android devices.

Enabling Family Sharing

Follow these steps to enable Family Sharing on your Android device:

  1. Open the Google Play Store app on your Android device.
  2. Tap on the Menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the upper-left corner.
  3. From the menu, select Account.
  4. In the Account section, scroll down and locate the Family option.
  5. Tap on Family to access the Family Sharing settings.
  6. If you haven't set up Family Sharing before, you will be prompted to set up a Family Group. Tap Get started to proceed.
  7. Follow the on-screen instructions to create or join a Family Group. You will be asked to invite family members using their Google accounts.
  8. Once you have successfully set up your Family Group, Family Sharing will be enabled on your Android device.

Managing Family Sharing Settings

After enabling Family Sharing, you can manage various settings related to shared content and payments. Here's how:

Adding or Removing Family Members

  1. Open the Google Play Store app on your Android device.
  2. Access the Family Sharing settings following the steps mentioned in the previous section.
  3. Tap on Manage family members or a similar option, depending on your device.
  4. From the list of family members, you can choose to add new members or remove existing members by tapping on the respective options.
  5. Follow the on-screen instructions to add or remove family members from your Family Group.

Controlling Permission for Shared Content

When using Family Sharing, you can control the permission settings for shared content. Here's how:

  1. Open the Google Play Store app on your Android device.
  2. Access the Family Sharing settings following the steps mentioned earlier.
  3. Tap on Manage family purchases or a similar option.
  4. Under the Purchase approval section, select the appropriate permission level for the family members. You can choose from Require approval for all purchases or Don't require approval.
  5. Make your selection based on your preferences. With the approval requirement, all purchases made by family members will require your permission.

Managing Shared Payment Methods

Family Sharing allows you to manage shared payment methods for purchases made by family members. Here's how you can set it up:

  1. Open the Google Play Store app on your Android device.
  2. Access the Family Sharing settings using the steps provided above.
  3. Tap on Payment methods or a similar option.
  4. Select the desired payment method from the available options. You can either choose to use the Family Payment Method or set up a new payment method specifically for Family Sharing.
  5. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup process.

Using Shared Content

Once you have Family Sharing set up and configured, you can start using shared content on your Android device. Here's how:

  1. Open the Google Play Store app on your Android device.
  2. Tap on the Menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the upper-left corner.
  3. Select the category of content you want to access, such as Apps & Games, Movies, TV Shows, or Books.
  4. Browse through the content and select the item you want to access.
  5. Tap on the Install, Buy, or Rent button, depending on the type of content.
  6. You may be prompted to select the account that should be used for the purchase. Ensure that you select the appropriate account associated with your Family Sharing group.
  7. Follow the on-screen instructions to install, purchase, or rent the desired content.

Conclusion

Family Sharing on Android provides a convenient way to share digital content and manage purchases with your family members. By following the steps outlined in this tutorial, you can easily enable, configure, and use Family Sharing on your Android device. Enjoy sharing, collaborating, and experiencing various forms of media together with your family!