Upgrade to 365 family - Partner has basic 100gb can this be merged?

Shaun Y 0 Reputation points
2026-11-08T11:02:18.1233333+00:00

Hi

Currently have personal 365 package. Just wanted to know if I upgrade to a family 365 package to include my partner, who has a basic 100gb package, can this be merged in to the 2TB of storage, or will everything need to be transferred across?

Thank you

Microsoft 365 and Office | Subscription, account, billing | For home | Windows
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  1. AI answer

    2026-11-08T11:03:03.46+00:00

    Upgrade your Personal subscription to Microsoft 365 Family, then invite your partner using the Microsoft account that already owns their Basic subscription—no OneDrive files need to be transferred.

    What happens to the storage and files

    Because a new Family subscription purchased now includes 2 TB of pooled storage, both accounts draw from that shared allowance. However, the accounts themselves are not merged:

    • Your partner’s existing OneDrive files stay in their current Microsoft account.
    • Their files, folders, email, and photos remain private unless they explicitly share them.
    • The 100 GB Basic subscription is separate billing; it is not transferred into or combined with your subscription as another subscription.
    • Family can include the owner plus up to five other people. ^1^

    Steps

    1. Purchase Microsoft 365 Family using the same Microsoft account that currently owns your Personal subscription.
      The remaining Personal subscription time is automatically converted and added to the Family subscription at the applicable conversion rate. [^2^](https://support.microsoft.com/accounts-billing/subscriptions/[Subscription ID] "Switch between Microsoft 365 subscriptions")
    2. Open the Microsoft 365 sharing page: https://account.microsoft.com/services/office/sharing
    3. Select Share, then send your partner an email invitation or sharing link.
    4. Your partner must accept the invitation using the same Microsoft account currently associated with their Basic subscription and OneDrive files. They select Get started, followed by Join now. This gives that existing account access to the Family benefits without moving its files. [^3^](https://support.microsoft.com/accounts-billing/subscriptions/[Subscription ID] "Share your Microsoft 365 subscription | Microsoft Support")
    5. After the invitation is accepted and the shared storage appears on your partner’s account, they can decide whether to retain Microsoft 365 Basic. If it is no longer required, they should manage its recurring billing separately from their own Microsoft account. If Basic was purchased through Apple, Google, or another retailer, it must be managed through that provider. [^2^](https://support.microsoft.com/accounts-billing/subscriptions/[Subscription ID] "Switch between Microsoft 365 subscriptions")

    If your partner is already in another Microsoft family group, they must leave that group before accepting your invitation. [^3^](https://support.microsoft.com/accounts-billing/subscriptions/[Subscription ID] "Share your Microsoft 365 subscription | Microsoft Support")

    References

    1. Changes to Microsoft 365 storage | Microsoft Support
    2. [Switch between Microsoft 365 subscriptions](https://support.microsoft.com/accounts-billing/subscriptions/[Subscription ID])
    3. [Share your Microsoft 365 subscription | Microsoft Support](https://support.microsoft.com/accounts-billing/subscriptions/[Subscription ID])
    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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  2. DaveM121 946.5K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-11-08T11:38:39.5633333+00:00

    1

    When you upgrade your subscription to the Family version, you then use the process on this link to share the subscription with your partner, they can then install the Office apps using their own Microsoft account they currently use for the Microsoft 365 Basic subscription, and they will have access to all their files and the shared 2TB of OneDrive storage, they will not loose access to their files.

    https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/accounts-billing/subscriptions/share-your-microsoft-365-subscription

    2

    After your partner has accepted the shared subscription you have sent to them, they can cancel the Microsoft 365 Basic subscription on their account of 2TB of storage is enough storage for both of you.

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