Apple is closing its iTunes Allowances service on May 25 and in its place, the company is pushing parents to use its Family Sharing app. The service conveniently allowed moms and dads to set certain amounts on their credit cards for their children to make purchases at the iTunes app store, but the new Family Sharing feature works to control online spending as well.
Apple announced the end of iTunes Allowances on its support page, but it didn't detail the reasons for its decision of scrapping it. Instead, the company suggested the Family Sharing app and below is the guide to setting up the feature for your use at home:
Apple to End iTunes Allowances on May 25 https://t.co/q0FnADnqVt pic.twitter.com/E7bgGq52Ju
— Apple News (@applenws) April 14, 2016
1) Set a Family Organizer.
An organizer should be made the manager of the account. He can send invites to five family members who will still be able to use their own Apple ID. The organizer is also responsible for approving purchases from these members.
2) Access the Family Sharing feature.
On Mac laptops: Apple Menu > System Preferences > iCloud, then click "Set Up Family" and proceed with the steps you see on the screen.
On an iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch: Settings > iCloud, then tap "Set Up Family Sharing" and proceed with the steps you see on the screen.
3) Add the payment method.
If the family organizer has no credit card attached to his Apple ID account, he will be prompted to do so. Otherwise, skip this procedure if this already exists.
3) Invite members of the family.
Begin inviting and assigning family members to the Family Sharing feature. Under this section, the organizer can also approve purchases by checking the "Ask to Buy" feature. The kids won't be able to download anything without any approval, including free downloads.
Aside from purchases from iTunes, the Family Sharing feature also allows its members to share calendars for schedules, photos and track locations. However, users who don't want to set up a Family Sharing account can still purchase for their kids using the iTunes gift cards in lieu of iTunes Allowances credits.
