Microsoft 365 Family Sharing: How to Share with Up to 6 People
Microsoft 365 Family is one of the best deals in software subscriptions. For one annual price, you can share premium Office apps, 1TB of OneDrive storage per person, and advanced security features with up to 5 other people. This guide walks you through everything you need to know about family sharing.
What is Microsoft 365 Family Sharing?
Microsoft 365 Family sharing lets you extend your subscription benefits to up to 5 additional people (6 total including yourself). Each person gets their own Microsoft account, their own 1TB of OneDrive storage, and full access to all Microsoft 365 apps.
- Share with up to 5 other people (6 total users)
- Each person gets separate 1TB OneDrive storage
- Everyone gets full access to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and more
- Each person maintains their own private account
- Sharing works across households—no need to live together
What Each Person Gets
Every member of your Microsoft 365 Family sharing group receives the full subscription benefits independently:
Premium Office Apps
Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, and more on up to 5 devices per person
1TB OneDrive Storage
Private cloud storage for each member—6TB total for the whole family
Mobile Apps
Full-featured mobile apps for iOS and Android
Advanced Security
Defender antivirus, Safe Links, ransomware recovery
Premium Outlook
Ad-free email, custom domains, and advanced features
Microsoft Editor
Advanced writing assistance across apps
How to Invite Family Members
Adding people to your Microsoft 365 Family is straightforward. Here's the step-by-step process:
Go to Your Microsoft Account
Visit account.microsoft.com and sign in with the account that owns the subscription
Open Sharing Settings
Click on 'Subscriptions' in the left menu, then select 'Sharing'
Start Sharing
Click 'Start sharing' or 'Add a person' if you've shared before
Enter Their Email
Type the email address of the person you want to invite
Send Invitation
Click 'Invite' to send them an email invitation
Wait for Acceptance
They'll receive an email with a link to accept your invitation
Email Invitation
The standard method—they receive a clickable link in their inbox
Shareable Link
Generate a link you can share via text, chat, or in person
Accepting a Family Sharing Invitation
If you've been invited to someone's Microsoft 365 Family, here's how to accept:
- Check your email for an invitation from Microsoft
- Click the 'Accept Invitation' button in the email
- Sign in with your Microsoft account (or create one if needed)
- Review and accept the sharing terms
- Start using Microsoft 365 immediately
Tips
- • Check your spam folder if you don't see the invitation
- • The invitation expires after 14 days
- • You can only be part of one Microsoft 365 Family at a time
- • If you have your own subscription, it will pause while you're sharing
Managing Your Family Group
As the subscription owner (organizer), you have full control over your family group:
Path: To manage your family: Account.microsoft.com → Subscriptions → Sharing → Manage family
Privacy and Independence
One of the best aspects of Microsoft 365 Family sharing is that everyone maintains complete privacy:
Separate Storage
Each person's 1TB OneDrive is completely private—others cannot access your files
Independent Accounts
Everyone uses their own Microsoft account with their own password
No Shared Data
Documents, emails, and personal data are never shared automatically
Individual Settings
Each person can customize their apps and preferences independently
Private Browsing
Your browser history, bookmarks, and activity remain personal
Important: The subscription organizer cannot see your files, emails, or activity. They can only see that you're part of the family group.
Parental Controls for Children
Microsoft 365 Family includes Microsoft Family Safety, giving parents powerful tools to protect children online:
Screen Time Limits
Set daily limits for devices and specific apps
Content Filters
Block inappropriate websites and content
App Restrictions
Control which apps and games children can access
Location Sharing
See where family members are on a map
Spending Controls
Approve or limit Microsoft Store purchases
Activity Reports
Weekly summaries of children's digital activity
Setup: To add a child: Account.microsoft.com → Family → Add a family member → Create account for a child
Removing Family Members
Sometimes you need to remove someone from your family group. Here's how:
- Go to account.microsoft.com
- Navigate to Subscriptions → Sharing
- Find the person you want to remove
- Click 'Remove from family'
- Confirm the removal
What Happens After Removal:
- • They immediately lose access to Microsoft 365 apps
- • Their OneDrive files remain in their account (read-only without subscription)
- • They keep their Microsoft account and any personal data
- • The sharing slot becomes available for someone else
- • They'll receive an email notification about the removal
Common Sharing Issues and Solutions
Problem: Invitation not received
Solution: Check spam folders. Try sending to a different email or use a shareable link instead.
Problem: Already in a family group
Solution: A person can only belong to one family. They must leave their current family first.
Problem: Apps not activating
Solution: Sign out and back in to all Office apps. Make sure you're using the correct Microsoft account.
Problem: Storage not showing 1TB
Solution: It can take up to 24 hours for storage to update. Try signing out and back in to OneDrive.
Problem: Can't find sharing options
Solution: Only the subscription owner (organizer) can manage sharing settings.
Problem: Invitation expired
Solution: Invitations expire after 14 days. The organizer needs to send a new invitation.
Cost Savings Breakdown
Microsoft 365 Family offers incredible value when you share with others:
Microsoft 365 Personal
$69.99/year
1 user
Microsoft 365 Family
$99.99/year
6 users ($16.67/person)
| Users Sharing | Cost Per Person | Total Saved vs Personal |
|---|---|---|
| 2 people | $50 | $40/year |
| 3 people | $33 | $110/year |
| 4 people | $25 | $180/year |
| 5 people | $20 | $250/year |
| 6 people | $16.67 | $320/year |
* Compared to everyone buying Microsoft 365 Personal individually
Frequently Asked Questions
Do family members need to live in the same house?
No. Microsoft 365 Family can be shared with anyone, regardless of where they live. You can share across different cities or even countries.
Can I share with friends, not just family?
Yes! Despite the name, you can share with anyone you trust—friends, roommates, or colleagues.
What happens if I cancel my subscription?
All family members lose access to Microsoft 365 apps and premium features. Their OneDrive files remain but become read-only.
Can family members see my files or emails?
No. Each person has completely separate and private storage, email, and data. The organizer cannot access anyone else's content.
How long does an invitation stay valid?
Invitations expire after 14 days. If someone doesn't accept in time, you'll need to send a new invitation.
Can I transfer my subscription to someone else?
You can transfer the organizer role to another family member, but you cannot transfer the subscription to a non-member.
What if someone in my family already has Microsoft 365?
Their personal subscription will pause when they join your family. If they leave later, their personal subscription can resume.
Can I add someone who's under 18?
Yes, children can be added through Microsoft Family Safety with parental consent. This also enables parental controls.
Ready to Share Microsoft 365 with Your Family?
Get Microsoft 365 Family and share premium apps, 6TB of cloud storage, and advanced security with up to 6 people.