Start or stop sharing with your family

To let others use your Google One storage space, try Google One family sharing. All members of a Google One family plan can find how much shared storage they use. Your files aren't shared with the rest of your family, and they can't access your files without your permission.

How family sharing works with Google One

The person who shares their storage is called the Google One plan manager. This person can start or stop sharing their Google One family plan at any time. You can share Google One with up to 5 family members.

There are 2 kinds of storage space: personal storage space and shared storage space.

  • Each member of the family group gets 15GB of personal storage space for their files. A family member’s files fill up their personal space first.
  • There is also shared storage split between everyone in your family group. After a family member's personal storage gets filled up, their files count toward the shared storage space. Family members can use as much of this available storage as they want.
  • Others in your family won’t have access to your files unless you share them directly.
  • When you make a family group, extra benefits are shown to everyone in your family, except accounts managed by parents. Some benefits go to the first family member who claims them.

Requirements for joining a family

To join a family group, you need to:

  • Have a Google Account. You can't join a family with a Google Account from your work, school, or other organization.
  • Live in the same country as the family manager.
  • Be part of just one family group.
  • Be in no other family group in the past 12 months.

What happens when you stop sharing

Google One family plan members will:

  • Stop using your available storage. If they run out of storage, their files will stay safe, but they won't be able to store anything new. Learn more about what happens when they run out of space.
  • Lose access to experts who answer questions about Google products.
  • Lose the ability to see or claim benefits.

Many of the same effects can happen if the Google One plan manager decides to leave the family group, or if they delete or remove someone from the family group.

Share Google One storage, membership, & benefits with your family group

To set up a family group, you must be 18 years or older. The people you invite need to live in the same country as you.

A family group allows family members to:

  • Share a single payment method.
  • Use Google's family services.
  • Share digital purchases.
  • Share family subscriptions, such as a Google One membership.

Step 1: Set up a family group

  1. On your computer, sign in to your Google Account.
  2. Visit the Your family on Google page.
  3. Click Get Started and then Create family group.
  4. Follow the instructions to add family members and set up a Family Library.

For more info, learn about the roles you set when you create a family group.

Step 2: Share with your family

  1. On your computer, go to Google One.
  2. On the left, click Settings.
  3. Turn on Share Google One with family.

For more info, learn how to manage a family group.

Check storage usage by family member

You can check how your total space is shared between members of your Google One family plan.

  1. On your computer, go to Google One.
  2. On the left, click Storage.
  3. Next to "Family storage," click the down arrow Down arrow.
  4. Review which members take up space.

Members of a family group can only free up space from their own storage usage. You can't affect the storage usage of other family members. Ask the people who use too much space if they can free up Google storage space.

Tip: If you want to make changes to your family plan members, learn how to manage your Google family.

Frequently asked questions

Why can’t I find storage usage for my family after I added them?

If you’re the Google One plan manager and can’t see how much your storage is being used, make sure family sharing is on. If not follow the steps above to turn it on.

What info can my family members find once I add them to my family group?

When you join a family, your family members may see your name, photo, and email address. They can also see how much shared storage each family member is using. But they can’t view your photos, videos, or other items through your shared storage. Your files can’t be seen until you share them directly.

What if my family member didn't get an invite to join the family group?

Try these solutions and see if it solves the problem. If they still don’t receive the invite, ask a Google expert for help.

Learn more about Google One family sharing:

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