Adding Family Members Internationally to Your Apple Music Family Plan

As of August 2023, Apple's Music Family Plan has made it easier for families to enjoy personalized music experiences together. But there's a key limitation: all family members must be in the same country or region as the organizer. This article will guide you on how to add family members from different countries to your Apple Music Family Plan, if possible, and provide tips to ensure smooth integration.

Understanding the Current Limitations

When trying to add family members to your Apple Music Family Plan, you might encounter a limitation that all members must be in the same country or region as the organizer. This means that if you want to share your Apple Music subscription with a family member living in a different country, you might face some challenges. However, there are certain steps you can take to work around this issue.

Worldwide Apple Account Setup

A primary account holder can add a family member regardless of their location as long as their Apple Store is set to the same country as the primary account. It's important to note that Apple Music availability varies by country, so the family member must have an Apple Store account in a country where Apple Music is available. This flexibility allows for international family members to be added to the Apple Music Family Plan, as long as they configure their Apple Store to match the primary account.

Example Scenario

For instance, if you have a primary account set up in the United States (US) and you wish to add your sister who lives in Amsterdam, your sister needs to change her Apple Store to the US. This adjustment can be done easily through the Apple Music settings within the Apple Music app. The main requirement is that the sister has an Apple Store account in the US; the country where you live does not need to have Apple Music available.

Steps to Follow

Verify Apple Music Availability: Check if Apple Music is available in the country of the family member you wish to add. You can do this on the official Apple website.Change Apple Store Region: If Apple Music is available in the family member's country, they need to change their Apple Store region to match your primary account's region. This step is crucial to ensure that they can be added to your Apple Music Family Plan.Add the Family Member: Once the region is correctly set, add the family member to your Family Plan through the Apple Music app, by clicking on "Family" and selecting "Invite a friend" or "Family member."

Tips for Smooth Integration

Inform the Family Member: Make sure the family member is aware of the steps needed to join your family plan. This includes changing their Apple Store region if necessary and ensuring their Apple Music subscription is active.Check Requirements Regularly: Apple's policies may change, so it's a good idea to keep an eye on any updates regarding family plans and Apple Music availability.Utilize Contact Support: If you encounter any issues or have questions, don't hesitate to reach out to Apple Support for assistance.

Conclusion

In summary, adding family members to your Apple Music Family Plan from different countries is possible, but requires that the family member's Apple Store is set to the same region as your primary account. By following the steps outlined in this article and being informed about any changes to policies, you can successfully share the joy of Apple Music with your global family.