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Sharing My Apple ID vs. Family Sharing

I currently share my Apple ID with my wife and daughter. We usually have the issue of each other's #'s occasionally showing up in the iMessage settings, having us to uncheck the #'s that aren't ours. Also mine and my wife's call history is merged on each of our phones. Lastly - and more annoying - my Airpods Pro and my daughter's Airpods sometime get connected to the wrong device. For example, I was watching a YouTube video today (just using the phone's speakers) on my iPhone and suddenly the sound cut off, and I knew the sound was routed to my daughter's Airpods. Happens the other way, too.

iPhone 11, iOS 14

Posted on Oct 16, 2020 10:11 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Oct 16, 2020 10:19 AM

Apple IDs aren't meant to be shared. If you want to keep your data separate, you should each have your own Apple ID. If you decide you want to do that, see below.


If 13 years old or older.


Apple ID - create a new.      


Apple ID – Create         


If under 13 years old, you will need to set up Family Sharing to create an ID.


Family Sharing and Apple ID for your child.      


Family Sharing.         


Family Sharing - Set up.        


When changing to the new ID, there may be some data loss, but you can minimize it. If syncing photos with iCloud, ensure Optimization is turned off in Settings/Your Name/iCloud/Photos and/or in Photos/Preferences/iCloud. Then make sure full resolution photos are on the device/computer. When signing out of iCloud, if asked whether you want to retain data, choose yes. Messages conversations will be lost if they are addressed to the ID. See the article below for other places that the old ID should be removed. See Winston Churchill's response in the below discussion. Also set up Family Sharing between the IDs to keep access to your apps/purchases. 


Set up - your child’s iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch 


How to switch Apple IDs on your iPhone or iPad.      


How to transfer all files from one iCloud account to another.        


What to do after you change your Apple ID or password - Apple Support.     



Similar questions

2 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Oct 16, 2020 10:19 AM in response to ShinyHappyHead

Apple IDs aren't meant to be shared. If you want to keep your data separate, you should each have your own Apple ID. If you decide you want to do that, see below.


If 13 years old or older.


Apple ID - create a new.      


Apple ID – Create         


If under 13 years old, you will need to set up Family Sharing to create an ID.


Family Sharing and Apple ID for your child.      


Family Sharing.         


Family Sharing - Set up.        


When changing to the new ID, there may be some data loss, but you can minimize it. If syncing photos with iCloud, ensure Optimization is turned off in Settings/Your Name/iCloud/Photos and/or in Photos/Preferences/iCloud. Then make sure full resolution photos are on the device/computer. When signing out of iCloud, if asked whether you want to retain data, choose yes. Messages conversations will be lost if they are addressed to the ID. See the article below for other places that the old ID should be removed. See Winston Churchill's response in the below discussion. Also set up Family Sharing between the IDs to keep access to your apps/purchases. 


Set up - your child’s iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch 


How to switch Apple IDs on your iPhone or iPad.      


How to transfer all files from one iCloud account to another.        


What to do after you change your Apple ID or password - Apple Support.     



Sharing My Apple ID vs. Family Sharing

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