Why Is Family Information Not Available on My iPhone?

When it comes to family sharing and connected devices, Apple does it better than everyone else. From shared Apple IDs to child restrictions and more, iPhones can be very family-friendly if configured that way.

But what do you do if you find an error message saying "Family information is not available" on your iPhone? In this guide, we will look at why you can't view family information on your device and how to fix the issue.

Why Is Family Information Not Available On iPhone?

If you're having trouble finding family information on your iPhone, there could be a few reasons behind it. Let's go through some common issues and how to fix them:

Temporary iOS or App Glitches:

Sometimes, small issues like updates or new app downloads can mess with your iPhone. If family info isn't showing up, try restarting your iPhone to fix any temporary glitches.

Weak Network Connection:

Using your iPhone on cellular data might cause problems, especially if the network is acting up. If you're having issues, turn off your mobile network and then turn it back on. If that doesn't work, a simple restart might do the trick.

Wrong Apple ID:

If you have multiple Apple IDs, you might accidentally sign in with one that isn't set up for family sharing. Make sure you're using the correct Apple ID by signing out of any other accounts and signing in with the one linked to family sharing.

Purchase Sharing Is Turned Off:

If purchase sharing is disabled for your family members or for you, it can affect the availability of information. Check the settings to make sure purchase sharing is turned on for everyone in the family.

These steps should help you resolve the issue and get your family information back on track. If it doesn't work, try out the methods given below.

Ensure Your Device Meets the System Requirements

The first step is to check the system requirements for family sharing and ensure that your device meets them:

• For iPhone or iPad users: Your device should be running iOS 9 or a newer version.
• For Mac users: Make sure your Mac is on OS X El Capitan 10.11 or a later version.

If you're using an older device that doesn't meet these requirements, unfortunately, you won't be able to view your family's shared content. A helpful solution is to update your iOS to the latest version. This will automatically fix any issues with files and bugs.

Here's how you can update your iOS:

1. Open Settings.
2. Go to Software Updates.
3. If there are updates available, tap on Download and Install.

Check Your Internet Connection

Another reason you might have issues with Family information is a weak internet connection. A weak internet connection can often cause the feature to glitch, making it hard for you to see updates and information.

Consider switching to a reliable Wi-Fi source for the best experience by going to Settings > WLAN on your iPhone. Additionally, check if you have turned on VPN on your device, as it may slow down access to your family information on iCloud. If it is, turn it off and verify your family information again.

Check If You Have Enabled Screen Time or Use a Company iPhone

If you're unable to access a specific feature on your device, it may be disabled through Screen Time settings on your iPhone or due to your device being supervised by the MDM program, especially if it's owned by your employer or school.

To verify if Screen Time is enabled on an iPhone, follow these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Select Screen Time.

To verify if your iPhone is supervised by a company profile, follow these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap on General.
3. Select About.
4. Check for a line of text under the device's name.

The line should read, "This [iPhone] is supervised. [Organization name] can monitor your internet traffic and locate this device."

Ensure You Are Using the Correct Apple ID

Ensure that you use the same Apple ID for both Family Sharing and Media & Purchases. If they are not the same, you won't see the associated family information.

Here's how to check:

For iOS 16 or later:

1. Open Settings.
2. Go to "Family."
3. Tap on your name and note the Apple ID listed.
4. Tap "Purchases."
5. Check that the Apple ID for Purchases is the same as the one used for Family Sharing. If not, select "Share using secondary Apple ID" and enter the correct Apple ID and password.

For iOS 15 or earlier:

1. Open Settings, tap your name, and then tap "Family Sharing."
2. Tap your name and note the Apple ID listed (you'll need it later).
3. Go back to Family Sharing, tap "Purchase Sharing," and ensure "Share Purchases with Family" is turned on.
4. Go back again, tap "Apple ID," then go to "Media & Purchases."
5. Tap "View Account" and sign in with your Apple ID. Make sure it's the same one you use for Family Sharing.

These steps should help ensure that you're using the correct Apple ID for Family Sharing.

Check Your Purchase Sharing Settings

If you still can't see family information, check the purchase sharing settings on your iPhone. To make sure you have turned on purchase sharing with your family, follow these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Go to "Family." If you don't see Family, tap on your name, then Family Sharing.
3. Tap on Purchase Sharing settings and make sure you have turned on purchase sharing.

Verify If the App is Shareable or the Purchase is Hidden

If the issue persists and you are still unable to see the family information, the next step is to check if the app is shareable. Here's what you need to do:

1. Open the App Store.
2. Find the app you want to check.
3. Scroll down to the Supports section and check if it says "Family Sharing."

Keep in mind, not all apps can be shared with your family. If you bought one of these apps, you can still see it in your purchase history, but your family won't be able to see or download it.

Additionally, some subscriptions, like individual Apple Music and Apple One plans, as well as subscriptions and in-app purchases from certain apps, can't be shared through Family Sharing.

Furthermore, some family information, like purchases, can be hidden to maintain privacy. If you're unable to see a purchase, chances are your family member has hidden it. Consider asking them about it in a non-confrontational way.

Turn Off Family Sharing and Turn It Back On

Another thing you can do to fix issues with Family Sharing is to remove and re-add family members. Follow these simple steps:

1. Open your device settings and tap on your name.
2. Tap on "Family Sharing."
3. Tap on your name again.
4. Choose "Stop Using Family Sharing."
5. To join again, ask one of your family members to send you an invitation. They can do this by going to "Family Sharing" and selecting "Add Member."

Sign Out of Apple ID and Sign Back in

This might seem like the most obvious solution, but logging out and back into your account can help fix the "Family information not available" issue. Here's how you can log out:

1. Open Settings and tap on your name.
2. Scroll down to the bottom.
3. Tap on "Sign Out."
4. Enter your Apple ID password and tap "Turn Off."
5. Turn on the data you want to keep a copy of on your device.
6. Tap "Sign Out."
7. Confirm that you want to sign out of iCloud by tapping "Sign Out" again.

Once this is done, give it a few minutes and sign back in to continue enjoying family information on your iPhone.

To Conclude

By now, any issue you have with Family Sharing should be resolved. If the issue still persists, consider asking a family member if they changed any settings or reach out to Apple for support. Best of luck!