How to Stop Family Sharing on iPhone? 4 Simple Methods

Family Sharing on iPhone lets you share apps, subscriptions, and storage with up to five family members.You can save a lot on apps and services using Family Sharing.

But sometimes, you might need to part ways—maybe your kids have grown up, or you're switching to a different sharing setup. Whatever your reason, here's how to stop Family Sharing on iPhone and what happens once you do that.

The process is slightly different for the family organizer and other members, and we'll cover both of them in this guide.

How to Stop Family Sharing on iPhone?

For Members

Before you leave a family group, keep in mind:

You must be at least 13 years old.
You'll lose access to shared content.
You'll need to wait 12 months before joining another family group.
If you have Screen Time enabled, the family organizer has to remove you.

1Leave the Family Group Through Settings

Step 1. Open "Settings" and tap "Family" (for iOS 16 or older, "tap your name" and then tap "Family Sharing").

Step 2. Select "your name"from the list.

Step 3. Select "Stop Using Family Sharing" and confirm your choice.

Tip: This method works identically on iPad devices.

2Exit Family Sharing from a Mac

Step 1. Click on the "Apple menu" in the top right corner, then select "System Settings" or "System Preferences."

Step 2. Tap "Family" or "Family Sharing" in the sidebar.

Step 3. Tap on your name, click "Stop Using Family Sharing," and confirm your decision.

For Organizer

As the family organizer, you have additional control options, such as removing other members or deleting the family group permanently.

Before you begin, let family members know before removing them so they can back up any shared data they want to keep. They'll lose any content or subscriptions purchased by other group members.

1Remove an Individual from Your Family Group

Step 1. Go to "Settings" and tap "Family"(for iOS 16 or older, "tap your name" and then tap "Family Sharing").

Step 2. Select the member you want to remove.

Step 3. Select "Remove [member name] from Family," and confirm it.

Note: You can't remove a child under 13 years old using this method. You can only move them to another group or delete their Apple ID completely.

2Disband a Family Group

As the organizer, you can permanently disband the family group. However, remember that this will terminate shared data access for everyone in the group.

Step 1. Go to "Settings" and tap on "Family."
Step 2. Tap on "your name." The label "Organizer" will be mentioned below the name.

Step 3. Select "Stop Family Sharing" and confirm.

What Does It Mean When Someone Stops Family Sharing?

When you leave or deactivate Family Sharing:

Shared purchases—including TV shows, music, books, movies, and App Store purchases—become inaccessible.
Individual purchases are not affected.
Family calendars, reminders, and shared photo albums disappear.
Each person keeps their own Apple ID and personal data.
Shared iCloud storage plan reverts to individual free 5GB plans.
Family Location Sharing through Find My stops working.

Staying Connected Without Family Sharing

Many parents worry about losing control over their child's device usage after leaving Family Sharing. You might be having questions like:

"How will I keep track of my kid's screen time now that we've stopped Family Sharing?"
"Without Find My, how can I make sure my kids reached school safely?"
"Is there a way to still monitor which apps my children are using?"

We've got all the answers for you! Ending Family Sharing Doesn't Mean Losing Touch with Your Family's Digital Activities. A tool like AirDroid Parental Control can help you with all those concerns, and much more.

Location tracking with geo-fencing alerts: Get notified when your kids arrive at school or leave home.
Smart screen time limits: Set a limit on device usage and automatically block games during specific hours.
Detailed app usage reports: See which apps are used and for how long.
Cross-platform monitoring: Works across different devices and operating systems.
Real-time alerts for concerning activities.

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Whether your kids are using iPhones or Android devices, AirDroid Parental Control works independently on all these devices.

Conclusion

Now you have complete information on how to stop family sharing on iPhone. It's easy to do the same whether you're a member or an organizer. But before making the change, you must understand what it means when someone stops family sharing.

Whether you're leaving or disbanding the family group, make sure to back up important data and inform all members about the change. Remember, you can always set up a new family group later or explore alternative solutions like AirDroid Parental Control for staying connected.

FAQs

Can You Join Back After Leaving Family Sharing and Does It Alert Other Family Members?

Elsa

Yes, just ask the organizer for an invite. But remember, you’ll only be able to rejoin a maximum of twice a year. If you want to switch family groups, you can only do that once a year.

Also, when you leave or are removed, other family members won't receive an alert and they’ll also notice your absence in the family members list.

Similarly, when you rejoin, there is no specific alert sent to other family members. However, the organizer will be aware since they need to send you an invitation to rejoin.

What to Do If Family Information Not Available on My iPhone?

Elsa

If your family sharing shows Family Information Not Available, usually due to some wrong settings on your iPhone. Solve the issue with 12 easy ways to fix "Family Information Not Available" on iPhone.

If I Turn Off Family Sharing Billing, Is This Permanent?

Elsa

No, you can turn Family Sharing billing back on at any time. However, you'll need to set up shared subscriptions again, and family members will need to rejoin the group.

What Happens to Shared Photos and Purchased Apps When Family Sharing Stops?

Elsa

Shared albums in iCloud Photos stay available to their original members. However, you can't create new shared albums with former family members (unless you invite them individually).

You'll retain apps you personally purchased but lose access to apps shared by other family members. You'll need to repurchase any apps you want to continue using that were shared by others.