Tired of handing out your email and password every time someone wants to check out a movie or a book on your Google Play account? Want to start your own private Google account, but don't want to have to buy all those apps and songs all over again? Starting this month, you're in luck.
Now your family - or even those you just consider family - can share purchases on Google Play without hijacking your account, thanks to the Family Library.
Google Play Family Library allows up to six individuals to share a single account, granting each member access to every app, game, movie, TV show, and book added to your communal collection. It's an expansion of the sharing options already introduced in the Google Play Music family plan, which Google launched last December.
Purchases can also be removed from the Library, just in case the kids aren't ready to graduate from Phineas and Ferb to Mad Max: Fury Road, or you feel you might be judged for your expansive ABBA collection.
Family bonding
There's no additional fee to sign up for Google Play Family Library, though a credit card must be saved to the service as the primary payment method. That said, don't fret that a loved one will go ham with your financial deets.
Smartly, Google sends the primary card holder an email receipt each time a transaction goes through, as well as requires your approval for any purchases attempted by underage members.
Gift cards and other payment methods can also be used to make purchases, ensuring that any relatives on your Library can still download Marvel comics, catch up on Mr. Robot, or stock up on gems in Clash of Clans without draining your bank account.
Aren't we all family?
Google notes that a 'family' is defined as parents, siblings, and children living in the same country, but it's unclear how it will stop you from inducting a partner, roomie, or neighbor into the Family Library - so long as they're trusted with your credit card.
If it's anything like Google Play Music's paid family package - a separate service that allows up to six people to share Google's music streaming platform for $14.99/£14.99 a month - adding 'family' members only requires a phone number or email, so there may not actually be a way to prove if everyone on the account is actually related.
iSee what you did there
Apple's iCloud Family Sharing is virtually identical, allowing users on Android's chief competition to combine purchases across the App Store, iBooks, and iTunes without having to split an Apple ID. Even the family size of six is the same.
This extends to Apple Music, with its own family plan for $14.99/£14.99 a month, equivalent to Google Play Music's offer. For the sake of choice, music streaming giant Spotify also offers its own six-member group plan for the same price.
Despite playing a bit of catch-up with its expansion, Google Play Family Library gives a vast number of smartphone, tablet, and other Android-powered devices a big boost and fewer redundant purchases - a blessing if you live in an especially Google-devout family.
Google Play Family Library rolls out later this month in Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Ireland, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Russia, the US and the UK.
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