Apple released the RC version of iOS 26.4 and included an important change in Compartilhamento Familiar. Agora adult members of the group can use their own payment method to make purchases at App Store, without relying exclusively on the organizer’s card. Essa update resolves a limitation present since the feature’s launch in 2014.
The Compartilhamento Familiar allows up to six people to share apps, music, books and subscriptions. Antes of the change, all purchases were charged to the organizer’s payment method when purchase sharing was enabled. The new option maintains access to content shared among members, but offers greater financial independence to adults.
- Adults set up their own card or payment method directly on the device.
- The organizer can still approve purchases from minors.
- Content sharing remains active even with individual payments.
Update resolves centralized billing since 2014
The old limitation generated discomfort in families where adults preferred to manage their own expenses. With the change in iOS 26.4, the family organizer enables Compartilhamento of Compras and adult members enable the feature on their devices. Eles now have access to each other’s shared content.
Billing now occurs first to each adult’s defined payment method. Caso the personal balance is not sufficient, the system may resort to the organizer method, depending on the settings. Essa flexibility was included in the release notes of the RC version released today.
Change confirmed in support document
Apple has updated the official support text on sharing apps and purchases. The new wording clarifies that the organizer pays for everyone’s purchases, except when they turn off sharing or when adult members choose their own payment method. The update exactly reflects the behavior introduced in iOS 26.4.
Users who participate in family groups with adults report greater practicality after the change. The function does not affect the sharing of subscriptions such as Apple Music, Apple TV+ or iCloud+, which remain available to all members.
How the new payment system works
Each adult member can add or select their payment method in the Apple ID settings. The process occurs independently, without the need to change the family group. The organizer still sees the general sharing settings.
The update preserves features such as Apple Cash Family and parental approval options. Famílias with children remain protected by existing controls. The change applies to iPhone and iPad compatible with iOS 26.4.
Benefits for adult users
Adults who want to maintain privacy on specific purchases now have more control. The feature prevents personal expenses from appearing on the organizer’s invoice. At the same time, the group maintains the convenience of accessing content purchased by any member.
Apple did not change the limit of six participants per family group. The update focuses exclusively on payment flexibility for adults. Usuários can test the new feature as soon as they install the final version or the RC released to developers.
Additional RC Version Details
In addition to the Compartilhamento Familiar change, iOS 26.4 RC brings other smaller fixes and improvements. Apple recommends that users check their payment settings after updating to ensure that the desired method is active. The final version should reach users in the coming weeks.
Families who have used the resource for years celebrate the new feature as a natural evolution. Sharing purchases strikes a better balance between convenience and financial independence.
