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App Store Listings Gain Family Sharing Info Ahead of iOS 8 Launch

Friday August 8, 2014 10:55 am PDT by Juli Clover
Apps in the iOS and Mac App Stores have begun displaying details on Family Sharing, letting users know whether or not the feature is enabled for specific apps ahead of the launch of iOS 8 and Yosemite.

A new Family Sharing listing has appeared in the Information section for each app, as noted by German site iFun.de [Google Translate]. For developers that have turned on Family Sharing, the section displays a "Yes" under the Family Sharing heading, while apps from developers that have opted not to allow Family Sharing or have yet to turn the setting on display "Not Available."

Certain apps, like Sketchbook Mobile display a "Yes" for purchases after a set date, indicating that developers have the option to only allow Family Sharing for new purchases.

familysharing
First announced during June's Worldwide Developers Conference, Family Sharing for iOS 8 and Yosemite lets families of up to six people share content like apps, iBooks, music, movies, and more, across all of their iOS devices, provided their iTunes accounts use the same credit card. Family Sharing also lets families share photos, videos, a calendar, reminders, and more, to keep everyone in the family connected.

Though Family Sharing is not yet fully functional, Apple has made steps towards implementing the service throughout the iOS 8 and Yosemite beta testing period. Shortly after WWDC, Apple began asking developers to enable the feature in their apps.

Early iOS 8 betas saw the addition of Family Sharing in the iCloud section of the settings app, and iOS 8 beta 2 and an Apple TV beta laid significant groundwork for Family Sharing, adding a new section for "Family Purchases" to the iOS App Store's purchased tab and a new iCloud Family setting for the Apple TV.

Family Sharing is expected to be implemented and fully functional ahead of the public release of iOS 8, which will be available in September after the upcoming iPhone event.

[ 48 comments ]


Top Rated Comments

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GeneralChang
67 months ago
I am ridiculously excited for this feature.
Rating: 6 Votes
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Parasprite
67 months ago

I feel like some people are going to harass developers about this, knocking off stars just because they don't allow it/have it set up.


Everything about this...

★★☆☆☆
"This app is one of the best on the App Store, I use it almost every day. However, a recent update moved a button I use from the top left corner to the top right corner and completely broke my workflow. Please fix it and I'll give you back your stars (I would rate it five if it wasn't for this inconvenience).

★★★☆☆
"i liek the app but if yiu could add the option to change windmow colour i woudl givem it five stars"

★☆☆☆☆
"I can't figure out how to make it default browser or open from Safari! FIX SOON OR I DELETE APP FOREVER!"

★★★★☆
"Hey I just found this in emoji! �������� LOL"

Rating: 5 Votes
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newagemac
67 months ago
One of the best new features of iOS8 in my opinion. And MacRumors might need to recheck their sources because it looks to me like Family Sharing is not optional for new apps submitted to the App Store. It's only optional if you want to also apply it to past purchases of your app.
Rating: 3 Votes
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CrazyForApple
67 months ago
Family sharing is a really nice feature though.
Rating: 3 Votes
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1080p
67 months ago
"Valid for purchases after June 13th, 2014."

And.... THAT is the money grab for devs. People who have already purchased apps a long time ago... will have to pay again to share with family?
Rating: 2 Votes
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Ballis
67 months ago
Family shared Beats music streaming please!
Rating: 1 Votes
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farleysmaster
67 months ago
Considering it's already possible to have apps from multiple apple ids on one account, it's pretty annoying for the apps that don't provide this option, or decide to only include it with apps from a certain date forward.
Rating: 1 Votes
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The Barron
67 months ago
Bring it on!

Family Sharing is a great feature, actually saving us a few bucks when family using the same credit card get apps. Why not?!

You think people might actually buy more when they see they are spending less? Wonder if Apple might have the same idea? :D
Rating: 1 Votes
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Kaibelf
67 months ago
I don't buy multiple copies of apps. I never would see the need to do that. I pay for the usage on my devices, and I own them. All of them. If a developer is expecting me to buy it twice to use in the same household, that's a developer that will get none of my money. Simple.
Rating: 1 Votes
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Westside guy
67 months ago

You could already share the same Apple ID for the App Store on multiple devices and use different Apple IDs for everything else. Most people I know are already doing this.


Yup. Hopefully that option doesn't go away in the future. I could see "Family Sharing" being a back door way for app developers - including Apple - to start tightening down on their apps being installed on multiple devices.

As to why I'm even entertaining that notion... I can't otherwise see why app developers should even have the option to not allow Family Sharing - yet they apparently do. It's not adding a new feature; it's simply making an something we can already do somewhat easier to manage. So why allow developers to opt out?
Rating: 1 Votes

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