All articles tagged with #family sharing
Apple’s revamped Screen Time parental controls, launched with iOS 27, require every device in a Family Sharing group to be updated to OS 27. This has caused frustration for families, as one outdated device can block the entire group from using the new features.
Apple published an animated video on its YouTube channel detailing the expanded parental controls introduced in iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and macOS 27. The update, which launched on September 14, centers on the Child Account system, allowing parents to manage app access, browsing permissions, and screen time across devices. Key new features include 'Ask to Browse' for website approval and 'Time Allowances' for category-based usage limits. The release aims to simplify safety management for families while responding to increasing regulatory scrutiny regarding child online safety in the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia.
Apple's iOS 27, iPadOS 27 and macOS 27 introduce a redesigned Screen Time and broader parental-controls suite, including easier Child Account setup, Ask to Browse for Safari, configurable daily/weekly app categories and time allowances, contact approvals, and expanded Communication Safety—synchronizing across Family Sharing devices and requiring all devices to run version 27.
Apple today announced AppleCare One Family, a US multi-device plan that covers every eligible device in a Family Sharing group of up to six people for $49.99 per month, adding newly purchased devices automatically at no extra cost and allowing six total claims per year across the group, including theft and loss protection for iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch; the plan becomes available in the United States on September 14.
Apple today released macOS Tahoe 26.4, the fourth major Tahoe update, adding a compact Safari tab bar, a new Battery Charge Limits feature (set max charge from 80% to 100%), eight emoji, and warnings for apps that will stop working in the future. It notes Rosetta 2 support will end after macOS 27, introduces Apple Creator Studio for Freeform, and updates Family Sharing so adult members can use their own payment methods. Users can download via System Settings > Software Update.
iOS 26.4 lets adults in a Family Sharing group use their own payment methods for purchases, ending the long-standing requirement to share a single payment method; children still use the organizer's method, and the change aims to simplify sharing of content and subscriptions with a public rollout expected next week.
The article discusses how Apple's Family Sharing feature is designed to protect children online, but it can become ineffective or problematic when family dynamics break down, highlighting the challenges of digital safety for children in unstable family situations.
Google has updated its Home app to make it easier for users to assign household members 'Admin' or 'Member' roles, with varying control levels over smart devices, and simplified the process of adding children under 13 to the smart home setup through Family Link integration.
Google has introduced a new feature in its Password Manager that allows users to share passwords securely with family members. This feature, announced in February 2024 and now rolling out with the May 2024 Google Play Services update, is limited to family groups. Users need to create a family group to use the feature, which may not yet be available on the desktop version of Chrome.
Google Password Manager is rolling out a family password sharing feature, allowing users to securely share passwords with family members in their Google family group. This feature is currently available on mobile with Google Play Services v24.20 but is not yet available on the desktop version of Chrome. The update also includes a Material You redesign for the Password Manager.
Valve has launched Steam Families in the Steam Beta Client, offering new family sharing options and parental controls. The feature allows up to six family members to share games, with adults able to set limits on children's playtime and approve game purchases. The new system aims to streamline the process of buying and sharing games within a family, providing a single location to manage games and offering more control over playtime and purchases.
Valve has announced an overhaul to its Steam Family Sharing feature, combining it with the Family View parental control system into a new package called Steam Families. The update allows family members to play different games simultaneously, provides individual saves and achievements, and introduces new parental controls for monitoring and purchasing games for children. However, there are restrictions, including a one-year cooldown for leaving or joining a family group, and a policy that if one family member gets banned for cheating, all members sharing the account will also be banned.
Steam has launched Steam Families, a revamped family sharing system that removes limits on the number of people who can play games from one library, simplifies game purchases for kids, and introduces new parental controls and sharing options. The new system allows simultaneous gameplay from the same library, supports offline play, and streamlines the process of buying games for kids. However, it is region-locked and has restrictions on joining or starting another family after leaving one.
Valve introduces Steam Families, a new program allowing up to six members to share and play games with close family members, replacing the previous Family Sharing and Family View features. Members can access sharable games in each other's libraries, create their own save files, earn achievements, and access workshop files while playing a family member's game. However, some games are ineligible for sharing due to technical reasons, and two members cannot play one copy of a game simultaneously. The program also includes parental controls and restrictions on game sharing.
Valve has introduced Steam Families in beta, enhancing the family-sharing settings on the platform, allowing users to share their library with up to five family members and gain access to games owned by others. The new feature combines Family Sharing and Family View, offering parental controls, playtime limits, and playtime reports. Currently available in the Steam Beta Client, Steam Families aims to make game sharing and access control more convenient for users.