Family Sharing makes it easy to share iTunes and App Store purchases on any platform. However, app developers have the option as to whether or not they want their apps to be eligible for Family Sharing. While most opt in, there are some that don't. So if you aren't finding an app or are being told you have to purchase it again, it's possible.
Apple is smart enough to make sure you don’t do this sort of a thing. At least, I thought so.
The easiest way to share purchased apps is to share the phone directly. However, if you are reluctant to do that and would rather play the game on your own iPhone, you’ll need to do some really radical thinking.
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Interestingly, you can share apps between two devices but there’s no easy way to do that. You’ll be – effectively – setting up a new iPhone in the process (in case your iPhone doesn’t allow the addition of a new iCloud account as primary.)
Our first recommendation is a moral way of doing shared-apps. This would be a good solution if you’ve got a family that plays the same games, uses the same apps, etc.
Method #1: Family iCloud Account
To do this, you’ll be setting up a new iCloud account.
Step #1. Set up a new iCloud account from Apple’s website or through your iDevice.
Step #2. Now, share this email id and password to all members who’ll be sharing the apps.
Step #3. Purchase apps through this particular iCloud account *only.*
Step #4. When someone sets up their iPhone or iPad or iMac, ask them to set up this iCloud account as the primary account (first). This way, all app downloads will be synced to all devices.
Pitfalls
There are several pitfalls to this method.
#1: First off, a major problem you’ll see is that messages sent to this account will be synced and pushed to all the devices that are set up with this iCloud account as primary. You can turn this off by disabling the switches (OFF) in Settings → iCloud.
#2: The second issue would be that you’ll have to add your original (personal) iCloud account, but you can’t sync or backup data (photo stream, documents, etc.) to this account from your iPhone. You can only sync notes, reminders, and emails.
Still, if you want to share purchased apps – because you’ve got an app-hungry family – this would be a good way to go.
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Method #2: Reset, Sign-in with Other iCloud Account
When you reset your device, you are asked to sign-in with your iCloud account.
Alert! You say, “oh boy, that will erase all my data”. It will but if you’ve got them all synced and backed up to your iCloud account, you can get them back anytime.
Note: this method is for the crazy ones.
If you sign-up with the other iCloud account where those delicious apps reside, you get them on your iPhone! To do this:
Step #1. Reset your iPhone in Settings → General → Reset → Reset All Settings.
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Step #2. Your iPhone will respring and you’ll be setting it up as a new iPhone.
Step #3. Sign-in with the particular iCloud account (that has the app) and let the iPhone roll! All data will be synced and you will mostly have the app you are looking for.
Step #4. If not, head over to the App Store → Updates → Purchased Apps → Not on this Phone and install the app!
As stated before, this is for the crazy ones.
So there you go; that’s how you can ‘share’ purchased apps between different iDevices.
That’s all guys!
Like this tip? Do share your feedback in the comment below.
Jignesh Padhiyar is the co-founder of iGeeksBlog.com who has a keen eye for news, rumors and all the unusual stuff that happens around Apple products. During his tight schedule, Jignesh finds some moments of respite to share side-splitting contents on social media.
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