Family Sharing for App Store Subscriptions Now Available

iPhone and iPad users who share apps with their families through Apple's Family Sharing feature can now share subscription apps as well.

share new subscriptions family sharing
In the App Store settings under "Subscriptions," there's a "Share New Subscriptions" setting that appears to be enabled automatically, allowing subscription apps to be shared among family members. The new option is available on the current release version of iOS, iOS 14.2.

Apple announced subscription sharing options as part of iOS 14, iPadOS 14, and macOS Big Sur. Developers are able to decide whether subscriptions should be available to members of a Family Sharing group. Some apps have been implementing the feature, as noted by Ryan Jones on Twitter.


Prior to today, if one member of a family purchased an app that included a subscription benefit, there was no built-in way for those subscription features to be shared with other family members.

Top Rated Comments

motm95 Avatar
44 months ago
I wonder how many significant others will be surprised to see a Tinder subscription suddenly show up.
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
firecore Avatar
44 months ago
A few notes from a developer who has been eagerly looking forward to this.
[LIST=1]
* Both subscriptions and in-app purchases are supported
* Developers need to explicitly enable sharing for each subscription/IAP
* The 'Share New Subscriptions' allows newly started subscriptions to automatically be shared with family members
* Existing subscriptions can also be shared, but these need to be enabled individually under each subscription (see attached). If a sub isn't shareable, then this option won't appear.

PS - If you're an Infuse user you can take advantage of this right now. :)

Attachment Image
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Mike MA Avatar
44 months ago
Let’s keep it short: Thanks Apple!
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
nerdherdster Avatar
44 months ago
Good to see it's happening for subscriptions, but what about family sharing for in-app purchases? Family sharing for in-app purchases and subscriptions were announced at the same time but since the announcement I haven't been able to find any info about either one.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
adbe Avatar
44 months ago

Good to see it's happening for subscriptions, but what about family sharing for in-app purchases? Family sharing for in-app purchases and subscriptions were announced at the same time but since the announcement I haven't been able to find any info about either one.
IAP is the big one for me, given that lots of apps seem to use IAP as a demo mode (rather than just to cynically do an end run around family sharing).
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
LeadingHeat Avatar
44 months ago
I just wonder how many developers will intentionally block this, to squeeze out more money from subscriptions.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

Delta Feature

Delta Game Emulator Now Available From App Store on iPhone

Wednesday April 17, 2024 9:58 am PDT by
Game emulator apps have come and gone since Apple announced App Store support for them on April 5, but now popular game emulator Delta from developer Riley Testut is available for download. Testut is known as the developer behind GBA4iOS, an open-source emulator that was available for a brief time more than a decade ago. GBA4iOS led to Delta, an emulator that has been available outside of...
iPhone 15 Pro Action Button Translate

All iPhone 16 Models to Feature Action Button, But Usefulness Debated

Tuesday April 16, 2024 6:54 am PDT by
Last September, Apple's iPhone 15 Pro models debuted with a new customizable Action button, offering faster access to a handful of functions, as well as the ability to assign Shortcuts. Apple is poised to include the feature on all upcoming iPhone 16 models, so we asked iPhone 15 Pro users what their experience has been with the additional button so far. The Action button replaces the switch ...
Provenance Emulator

PlayStation, GameCube, Wii, and SEGA Emulator for iPhone and Apple TV Coming to App Store

Friday April 19, 2024 8:29 am PDT by
The lead developer of the multi-emulator app Provenance has told iMore that his team is working towards releasing the app on the App Store, but he did not provide a timeframe. Provenance is a frontend for many existing emulators, and it would allow iPhone and Apple TV users to emulate games released for a wide variety of classic game consoles, including the original PlayStation, GameCube, Wii,...
maxresdefault

Hands-On With the New App Store Delta Game Emulator

Wednesday April 17, 2024 12:19 pm PDT by
A decade ago, developer Riley Testut released the GBA4iOS emulator for iOS, and since it was against the rules at the time, Apple put a stop to downloads. Emulators have been a violation of the App Store rules for years, but that changed on April 5 when Apple suddenly reversed course and said that it was allowing retro game emulators on the App Store. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel ...
iOS NES Emulator Bimmy Feature

NES Emulator for iPhone and iPad Now Available on App Store [Removed]

Tuesday April 16, 2024 11:33 am PDT by
The first approved Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) emulator for the iPhone and iPad was made available on the App Store today following Apple's rule change. The emulator is called Bimmy, and it was developed by Tom Salvo. On the App Store, Bimmy is described as a tool for testing and playing public domain/"homebrew" games created for the NES, but the app allows you to load ROMs for any...