Multiple Devices Two accounts

[higgalls]

Hey,

So here is our current scenario. My wife and I both have iPhones. Currently we use the same iTunes and iCloud accounts as we want to share all the same contacts, calendars, photos, music etc, and only want to purchase apps once. It has been working really well for us both, but the one frustration is that there are some games that are attached to your iCloud/GameCentre account, and so it means we both can't play them.

Also, iMessages doesn't work the best with the same account on different phones (you need to go through and make sure you unselect the appropriate phone numbers whenever a change occurs).

Now I know the new iOS has family sharing, but I don't believe all apps are enabled for this (certainly developers have the option of not allowing family sharing).

I know that iOS also has shared photo albums/streams, but I want it to be all automatic with the photos (so I take a photo on my phone, and it automatically goes across to hers, and vice versa).

I certainly want to keep contacts, calendars, and music all in sync.

Is there a better way to set up our accounts? I know I can use different iTunes and iCloud accounts etc, but I am a bit unsure as to what functions are assigned to which account etc.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Cheers,
Chris

 

[Cmd-Z]

Currently we use the same iTunes and iCloud accounts ...

That's good, this allows you to share things, but there are other ways to do that without sharing an iCloud ID.

... but the one frustration is that there are some games that are attached to your iCloud/GameCentre account, and so it means we both can't play them.

If the problem is that you don't want to step on each other's game progress, why don't you set up separate Game Center IDs? You can still share an ID for iTunes purchases (and iCloud) but use separate IDs for Game Center.

The Game Center ID typically defaults to your (iTunes) Apple ID, but it doesn't have to. To be honest I've never done this so I don't know if it would give you the results you desire, but I know that you can have multiple IDs and use a different one just for Game Center.

Maybe set up a new Apple ID, then one of you go into Settings > Game Center and log out, then log back in under the new ID. I believe that will let you continue sharing everything, but keep your gaming lives separate.

 

[iopcritter]

I've got a slightly similar problem. In the past, my ex-wife and I used the same AppleID on our devices when we were married. Now that we are divorced, is there a simple way to transfer apps to a new AppleID without having to re-download? They are all pretty much free apps, so it's not a matter of avoiding re-purchasing... I just don't want the hassle of deleting and reloading nearly 100 apps lol.

 

[alFR]

I've got a slightly similar problem. In the past, my ex-wife and I used the same AppleID on our devices when we were married. Now that we are divorced, is there a simple way to transfer apps to a new AppleID without having to re-download? They are all pretty much free apps, so it's not a matter of avoiding re-purchasing... I just don't want the hassle of deleting and reloading nearly 100 apps lol.

No, there's no way to transfer purchases (free or not) between Apple IDs (apart from sharing them using family sharing, but that's not really what you meant). You'll either need to keep using the same ID (change the password and don't tell her the new one?) or just set up a new ID.

 

[iopcritter]

No, there's no way to transfer purchases (free or not) between Apple IDs (apart from sharing them using family sharing, but that's not really what you meant). You'll either need to keep using the same ID (change the password and don't tell her the new one?) or just set up a new ID.

Thanks... that's what I was afraid of. I've started gradually transitioning to new versions of apps with a new ID, it's just a big pain in the butt!

 

[alFR]

Yeah, being able to transfer purchases/merge IDs must be one of their most-requested features. Beats me why they haven't implemented it yet, it can't be that hard surely.