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We have the same apple ID for 2 iPhones,
3 iPads and an iPad mini
You can use the same one although I'd recommend that you have two or three.
Use a shared id for iTunes and AppStore purchases. Also use the shared one for Find My iPhone.
Then use separate ones for mail, iMessages, and FaceTime.
you mean imessage works via a apple id and not your phone number?
you mean imessage works via a apple id and not your phone number?
On the iPhone iMessage works via your phone #
On other devices it works via apple ID/email address
Use 1 Apple ID for iTunes purchases of Apps, Music, Movies, etc. and have each family member have a separate Apple ID for iCloud, FaceTime, iMessage, etc. That way you can share app and media purchases without buying the same items more than once and you can each have own identity and backups, etc. for your own devices.
We have probably 8 iOS devices plus a couple Apple TVs that use the same Apple ID for iTunes but each family member has a unique Apple ID used for iCloud. So for example, I use SHARED_APPLE_ID on my iPhone, my iPad, my iPod and on a Mac in iTunes to make purchases and share music, my family members use the same on their devices as well for music and apps. THen I use MY_APPLE_ID on each my own iOS device to be able to use FaceTime, iMessage, iCloud. So I can access the same iMessage account on my phone, iPad and Mac for myself and family members have their own. If I lose or replace a device I can easily restore it with my unique Apple ID and so could any family member, but I am not paying 4 times for the same app we are all using, only paying once.
The only downside is we all share playlists, but you can simply name them for each member or use a unique name or number for each family member to keep playlists separate and individual on each device and just sync the selected playlist for each person to their device.
Wow I never knew this, great info. just to be clear, you cannot be logged into SHARED_APPLE_ID & MY_APPLE_ID at the same time? So if another family member tells you they bought a song/game/movie, you have to logout of MY and login with SHARED to obtain that purchase?
Wow I never knew this, great info. just to be clear, you cannot be logged into SHARED_APPLE_ID & MY_APPLE_ID at the same time? So if another family member tells you they bought a song/game/movie, you have to logout of MY and login with SHARED to obtain that purchase?
mrnserv & Peligro911, thanks! iPhone 5 is my first apple product, but I want to expand with an iPad/Mini and MacBook as some point. Great info to know!
I was setting up my sister's kids iPod touches so that their iMessage and Facetime would be separate but still use the same iTunes store login as hers. now I know what I need to adjust so its done properly like you guys stated.
Just to be clear, in settings under messages & facetime, that's where I use my own personal apple ID? And then under "iTunes & App Store", that's where I login with the shared Apple ID?
Think I got it now!