Question Monitoring Family Apple IDs on Android?

[jburke82]

Hey everyone…shot in the dark here but I figured someone might have the same question I have. I currently have an iPhone, and my children have Apple ids with iPads that I manage through my iPhone (I have to approve certain things on my device). Is there any way to do this if I were to switch to an android phone? Or would I need my old iPhone around for these situations?

 

[B. Diddy]

Pretty sure you need an iPhone for that. I'm in the same boat, since my daughter is an iPhone user, while my wife and I are Pixels.

 

[jburke82]

Pretty sure you need an iPhone for that. I'm in the same boat, since my daughter is an iPhone user, while my wife and I are Pixels.

Yea I’ve had my eye on a pixel for a change, and the only thing preventing me are the kids haha

 

[spARTacus]

I've tried to use iCloud.com from web browser (with valid AppleID/Account credentials that are separately active on an iPhone) to see if I could make use of FindMyFriends, etc... via web browser. I couldn't seem to get access to what I needed via the browser, without having to separately go back to the actual iPhone to approve, via notifications that were directly sent only to the iPhone. With the AppleID/Account not active on the iPhone, iCloud.com complained about such and would let me do even less. If there is a way, I'd love to know how.

 

[jburke82]

I've tried to use iCloud.com from web browser (with valid AppleID/Account credentials that are separately active on an iPhone) to see if I could make use of FindMyFriends, etc... via web browser. I couldn't seem to get access to what I needed via the browser, without having to separately go back to the actual iPhone to approve, via notifications that were directly sent only to the iPhone. With the AppleID/Account not active on the iPhone, iCloud.com complained about such and would let me do even less. If there is a way, I'd love to know how.

That’s exactly what I assumed would be the case haha. I guess if I go this route I’ll have to use an old iPhone for approvals, which isn’t a huge deal while at home I guess but still annoying. Thanks!

 

[spARTacus]

That’s exactly what I assumed would be the case haha. I guess if I go this route I’ll have to use an old iPhone for approvals, which isn’t a huge deal while at home I guess but still annoying. Thanks!

If you only want/need cross platform location sharing for family members, that is possible between Android and Apple via sign-in/account with the Google Maps App (which apparently lots of Apple folks frequently use nowadays in supplement to Apple's default Apple Maps).

 

[VidJunky]

I found this from Google/Android. It says that it isn't the same on Android vs the control and things you can on Apple devices but there are some suggestions that may help.

While you can't manage Apple Family Sharing from an Android device in the same way as with an Apple device, you can join a family group and share Apple Music subscriptions using the Apple Music app on Android. [1, 2, 3]
Here's a breakdown of what you can do:
Joining a Family Group: [1, 4]

• Download the Apple Music app: Install the Apple Music app from the Google Play Store on your Android device.
• Accept an invitation: If someone in your family has an Apple device and sets up Family Sharing, they can invite you to join their group.
• Open the email invitation: On your Android device, open the email invitation to join Family Sharing.
• Tap the link: Tap the link in the email invitation.
• Open with Apple Music: In the "Open with" screen, tap Apple Music.
• Tap Accept: Tap Accept.
• Sign in: Sign in with your Apple ID and password. [1, 4, 5]

Sharing Apple Music: [2, 6]

• Apple Music Family Subscription: If you have an Apple Music family subscription, you can start and manage a family group to share your subscription.
• Android as the Hub: You can manage the family group and Apple Music subscription through your Android device, as the subscription is charged through Google Play.
• Access on other devices: Once you've joined a family group, you and other family members can access the Apple Music subscription on their Apple devices or through the Apple Music app on Android. [2, 6, 7]

Important Notes: [7]

• Limited Management: You won't have full control over Family Sharing features on an Android device like you would on an Apple device. [7]
• Apple Device Required for Setup: You need an Apple device (iPhone, iPad, or Mac) to initially set up Family Sharing. [3, 7]
• Google Play Family Library: For sharing apps, movies, and other content, consider using Google Play Family Library instead of Apple Family Sharing. [3, 8]

 

[spARTacus]

There's also RCS/iMessaging interoperability (ok no laughing people) between Android and Apple (per se, other than the fact that full end to end encryption for Apple<->Android RCS Messages doesn't yet exist - but reportedly still coming soon).

I think it would be great if via RCS, real time updating cross platform geo-location tracking/sharing would be possible (one time static cross platform geo-location tracking/sharing seems to already be there).

 

[mustang7757]

I would keep your old iphone around for those situations.

 

[jburke82]

I would keep your old iphone around for those situations.

Yup that seems like the best and maybe only option. Thanks!