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Google Play to Get 'Family Library' App Sharing Feature From July 2

Google Play to Get 'Family Library' App Sharing Feature From July 2

By Tasneem Akolawala | Updated: 19 May 2016 15:54 IST

Highlights

Family Library feature is coming to the Google Play store.
Six family members will be able to share a purchased Android app.
Family Library feature will be enabled by default from July 2.

Google is finally bringing Family Library to Android apps. The feature will be made active from July 2, and it will allow users to share purchased apps from Google Play with up to six family members.

This sharing feature has been a part of Apple's app ecosystem since 2014, and now Google finally brings it to its app and content store. The company's support page gives all the details for helping developers make the change. Google encourages app makers to voluntary enable Family Sharing for past purchases before the July 2 date, after which it will be introduced as a default feature. The support page gives all details on how the developers can opt-in for Family Sharing sooner than the deadline.

However, Google warns that after the app maker has opted-in for Family Sharing for past purchases, it cannot be reversed. This feature will be beneficial to users who can now share paid apps with others for free. Google allows sharing of apps with maximum six people added to the Family Library account, while the money will be deducted only from one card. This gives the user the benefit of value for money, as six users are using it for the price of one. With this feature, the developer creates the potential of increasing the app's user base, as some will now think of the fee as a reasonable price for usage among six people.

Even though this feature has not been announced on the I/O stage yet, Android Police reports that Google has been sending emails to Android developers intimating them about the change. At the I/O, Google has so far launched the Android N Developer Preview 3, Daydream VR system, Google Home, Allo and Duo apps, and the Google Assistant among a host of other things.

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