Use fewer tools, more clearly
The products named in Meli OS, organised by the family need they serve.
When it fitsAbout 10 minutesEvery tool has one job and an owner.
Family foundation
Membership, storage, devices, and the ecosystem already in the home.
- Apple Family SharingOne organiser. Purchases, iCloud+, Apple One, and child accounts under one roof.(opens in a new tab)
- Apple OneiCloud+, Apple Music, TV+, Arcade, Fitness+ in one family subscription.(opens in a new tab)
- iCloud+Shared storage, Private Relay, Hide My Email, and HomeKit Secure Video.(opens in a new tab)
- Google Family GroupFamily manager, shared Google One, purchases, and Family Link.(opens in a new tab)
- Google OneShared storage and account backup for a Google family group.(opens in a new tab)
- Microsoft 365 FamilyUp to six people, OneDrive, Office apps — the home plan.(opens in a new tab)
Access and recovery
Passwords, passkeys, physical keys, and continuity.
- Apple PasswordsiCloud Keychain as a family fallback — not the house vault.(opens in a new tab)
- Apple Legacy ContactWho can request access to an Apple account after death.(opens in a new tab)
- Inactive Account ManagerWho receives a Google account if it goes quiet.(opens in a new tab)
- 1Password FamiliesThe house vault. Shared vaults, guest access, and an emergency kit.(opens in a new tab)
- NordPassA password-manager option for a family already using Nord services.(opens in a new tab)
- YubiKeyPhishing-resistant sign-in for the stewards of identity, money, and admin accounts. Keep a registered spare.(opens in a new tab)
- Titan Security KeyA second-shape hardware key for Google Advanced Protection.(opens in a new tab)
- CryptosteelFireproof metal for recovery phrases and master-password hints.(opens in a new tab)
Children growing up
Visible, age-appropriate controls that can change over time.
- Screen TimeDowntime, app limits, and communication safety on a child’s Apple ID.(opens in a new tab)
- Google Family LinkSupervision, app approvals, and location for a child’s Google account.(opens in a new tab)
- Microsoft Family SafetyScreen time and content filters on Windows and Xbox.(opens in a new tab)
Safety and travel
Device protection and safer connections away from home.
- Advanced Data ProtectionEnd-to-end encryption for iCloud backups, photos, notes, and more.(opens in a new tab)
- Google Advanced ProtectionHardware-key-only sign-in for the accounts that must not fall.(opens in a new tab)
- Microsoft DefenderBuilt-in protection on home Windows machines — keep it on.(opens in a new tab)
- NordVPNOne family plan, Meshnet between home machines, and a travel profile.(opens in a new tab)
- iCloud Private RelaySafari privacy on iCloud+ — not a full VPN for every app.(opens in a new tab)
- TailscaleA private mesh for home servers, NAS, and office machines.(opens in a new tab)
- Find MyDevices, AirTags, and a lost-phone path the family already knows.(opens in a new tab)
Optional work path
Company identity, communication, projects, and money.
- Google WorkspaceBusiness identity, Drive, Meet, and admin — keep it off the family Gmail.(opens in a new tab)
- Microsoft 365 Business PremiumEntra ID, Intune, Defender for Business, and company email on your domain.(opens in a new tab)
- 1Password BusinessThe company vault. Groups for each brand, travel mode, and admin recovery.(opens in a new tab)
- SlackWork chat. Never the family thread.(opens in a new tab)
- Microsoft TeamsWork chat when the house is already on Microsoft 365.(opens in a new tab)
- NotionBrand wikis and project notes — not the legal vault.(opens in a new tab)
- GitHubCode and issues for each brand that ships software.(opens in a new tab)
- ShopifyThe shop tenant. Staff accounts, not a shared founder login.(opens in a new tab)
- StripeCards and payouts. Two-person access. Hardware keys on.(opens in a new tab)
- XeroBooks for a trading company. Advisor access for the accountant.(opens in a new tab)
- Cal.comPublic booking without handing out a personal calendar.(opens in a new tab)
- WhatsAppFamily thread and a separate Business number. Do not mix them.(opens in a new tab)
Some links may be affiliate links. If you subscribe through one, we may earn a commission. A tool is listed because it has a clear job in the floorplan, not because a commission makes it necessary.