Do we need an Apple Music Family Membership if we share the same Apple ID?

[jaybar]

Hi

Me and my husband share the same Apple ID with regard to our music purchases. Do we need an Apple Music Family Membership, if we share an Apple ID?

We use different Apple ID's for iMessage. We use the same Apple ID four our iMac. I don't know if the other instances change the decision.

Thanks

 

[Peepo]

With the basic Apple Music subscription it limits you to playing on one device at a time. For example if you were playing a song on iPhone and simultaneously tried playing a song on iPad, MacOS, or iTunes, then it will not let you. Upgrading to a Family Plan gets rid of this limitation even for individuals within the plan can now play on simultaneous devices.

So if you are both sharing an AppleID and upgrade to Apple Music (not Family Membership), then only one of you will be able to play Apple Music at a time. You will still be able to play purchased or your own tracks though without restrictions.

Also keep in mind that with sharing an account, all the playlists and songs are duplicated on each device. I don't like all the music my wife listens to and vice-versa. We used to share an account last year but I changed all of this because of Apple Music and works real good now because my kids can also use. I used my "original" apple ID where I had purchases prior and made it a family member so have access to its purchases. I recommend doing this because it is so nice having everything separate now.

 

[AustinIllini]

I highly encourage you to move to multiple Apple accounts. I know it can be a bit of a pain, but it is much more forward thinking.

Your purchases can be shared seamlessly.

 

[M. Gustave]

Everyone in your house needs their own appleid. You're creating headaches and inconvenience for yourself by sticking to one id. I don't want to share iCloud storage, photos, notes, and Apple Music libraries with my wife and kids.

And all our iTunes purchases are shared without a problem.

 

[Tech198]

Hi

Me and my husband share the same Apple ID with regard to our music purchases. Do we need an Apple Music Family Membership, if we share an Apple ID?

We use different Apple ID's for iMessage. We use the same Apple ID four our iMac. I don't know if the other instances change the decision.

Thanks

less secure just one ID. but that's what we use as well...More convenient, than paying Apple for the Family membership. but if sharing Apple ID, ya there would be issues. u cannot play the same song.

Actually, more technically, i think what would happen is the same as movies..

If someone started playing, and then u also went ahead to play the same song your would not start from the beginning. It would instead start from the point "the other person was currently up to" because its one account if "update play count" was checked in iTunes as well (I think).

u have more control with Family membership, but at a cost..

 

[Peepo]

And all our iTunes purchases are shared without a problem.

Except a handful of apps that don't support family sharing, and in-app purchases. While not sharing in-app purchases makes sense for things like pokeballs, it doesn't when using to unlock app features. This is why I try to purchase a full version of an app vs upgradeable.

 

[M. Gustave]

Except a handful of apps that don't support family sharing, and in-app purchases. While not sharing in-app purchases makes sense for things like pokeballs, it doesn't when using to unlock app features. This is why I try to purchase a full version of an app vs upgradeable.

I said: "And all our iTunes purchases are shared without a problem."

You're talking about purchases through the App Store. Two different things.

 

[Julien]

Family plan for all the reasons discussed PLUS it is the right thing to do.

 

[AustinIllini]

I said: "And all our iTunes purchases are shared without a problem."

You're talking about purchases through the App Store. Two different things.

1) You are correct about App Store purchases
2) If you have Apple Music, you likely aren't missing many songs from iTunes
3) If you purchased the music, you're almost certainly able to move files around to share them between AppleIDs

I think we're on the same side, lol.