My family are Plex-rookies. Now everything about the “infrastructure” is in order, I believe.
It works on two devices, my iPhone and on our iPad.
I haven´t signed up for Plex Pass but payed “once time”.
When I´m trying to get it working on my wifes iPhone it doesn´t work, though.
I´ve created an own Plex account for her and distributed my Plex Media Server to her. So far so good
But when we get a message about “limited playing time” we get stuck.
If we click resume purchase (“if you bought the iOS app and have reinstalled it you may reset earlier made purchases”) we get the message “in app purchases are not allowed”. Which of course is not the fact, if this means general setups on her iPhone. (The ones you use to limit your childrens use of apps.) I´ve checked the setting more then twice on her phone now.
We use the Family setting with our iClodu/AppleID so all bought apps shall be possible to use for all family members, without extra costs.
But… if I´m willing to pay on “once time” fee in Plex it doesn´t work either. Both commands are shadowed. So, I can´t push either buttons. Not pay once time and not sign up monthly.
???
Is this an issue for Appel/iTunes support or related to Plex?
No problems downloading other apps on her iPhone.
You can SHARE the unpaid app, but ridiculously NOT The premium features of Plex. I contacted apple and said that it was incorrectly labelled They then proceeded to give me my money back for the extra apps that I had activated. Call apple and complain I told them to change the wording on the website as it was very misleading
In summary, you cannot share the Plex app on family sharing. This is because the additional features are a premium service
Sorry that I felt misled, just like you did or are about to feel.
Apple doesn’t support In-App Purchases for Family Sharing: What types of content can I share with Family Sharing?
What you can’t share
Songs added to iTunes Match from outside the iTunes Store.
Individual Apple Music memberships and other subscriptions, such as magazines and newspapers.
In-App purchases.
Items that are no longer available on the iTunes Store.
Items that you or another member of your family group has hidden. Learn more about hidden purchases.
Some apps from the App Store. Find out if your app is shareable.
Ringtones.
OK, I think I understand now. But I haven´t got an answer of my second “question” then, have I?
But… if I´m willing to pay on “once time” fee in Plex it doesn´t work either. Both commands are shadowed. So, I can´t push either buttons. Not pay once time and not sign up monthly.
I´ve tried uninstalling the iOS app on her phone, rebooting the iPhone to clear cached information and then downloaded/installed the app again from the App Store.
But no.
Your talking about the page referenced in this support document, correct: Unlocking or Activating Plex for iOS?
Hi tommy, I’m going to hop in here and see if I get you squared away, just a quick recap, you dl’d the app on your apple ID and then you activated it with the $5 in app purchase to get it fully activated correct? Now your wife has her own apple ID and you’re trying to get the app on her phone and activated with her apple ID is that correct too?
@jmcgeejr said:
Hi tommy, I’m going to hop in here and see if I get you squared away, just a quick recap, you dl’d the app on your apple ID and then you activated it with the $5 in app purchase to get it fully activated correct? Now your wife has her own apple ID and you’re trying to get the app on her phone and activated with her apple ID is that correct too?
Totally correct. 
Our two apple IDs are connected in our Family but it shouldn´t matter for this particular situation (likewise not that I´ve let her in to my Plex Media Server).
See how it looks like, attached.
@Tommy Stjernqvist said:
Is this an issue for Apple/iTunes support or related to Plex?
The “in app purchases are not allowed” message is an iOS system message not one from Plex. We do not have any access to prevent or allow your wife’s Apple ID to do anything in the iOS store
No problems downloading other apps on her iPhone.
Downloading/installing and making a regular app purchase are different than an in-app purchase ( whether that be a subscription or one-time Buy additional app features with in-app purchases and subscriptions - Apple Support )
On your wife’s phone suggest checking in settings → general → restrictions and see if your wife’s Phone/Apple ID is allowed to make in app purchases ( this is the settings of iOS itself not settings of Plex for iOS ) Though it sound like you have already check that on her phone, so maybe look at the parental controls in itunes maybe her account is set incorrectly. ( that is a total guess )
If you have not already I do suggest contacting Apple to double check there is not some setting you or I am not thinking of that will allow her to make in app purchases on her phone with her AppleID.
If Apple support tells you everything is set correctly and she should be able to make the in-app purchase, please grab the apps iOS logs from her device after the “not allowed” message comes up. https://support.plex.tv/hc/en-us/articles/201636593-iOS-Logs but I cannot think of any way the app itself would prevent that.
