---
title: "Family Switching"
slug: "family-switching-1"
description: "Family Switching in iOS simplifies ordering by allowing single key entry for family members, enhancing navigation and user experience."
updated: 2025-06-10T17:40:53Z
published: 2025-06-10T17:40:53Z
canonical: "help.timestone.com.au/family-switching-1"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.timestone.com.au/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Family Switching

When ordering in IOS, Family Switching allows the customer to ‘switch’ between each member of the family and even the family entity itself by entering any of the access keys without the need to enter each of the entity’s keys.

The Access Key initially entered may be either the family key or the subject key of any of the subjects in the family.

#### Key points

- Single key entry for all family members
- Optionally allow ordering for the family entity
- Switches are presented to switch between each subject and the family

## Example

An example of family switching can be found on the Timestone Software demo website

[https://demo.timestone.com.au](https://demo.timestone.com.au)

The following three keys are all for a particular family.

- LRDMYNNF - family key for the Bateman family
- V7UQRQRN - subject key for Allison Bateman
- 3UZ5K793 - subject key for Jarrod Bateman

Any of the three keys can be used to view switches for all three entities. When navigating through the site, the Next button will give the customer the option to C**ontinue** .. or **Order for another.** The latter will return the customer to switch the page.

## Setting family switching options in tsIOS

To enable family switching, certain options need to be set in tsIOS when uploading the job.

The screen grab below shows the options selected for the demo site example described above.

![Family switching options in tsIOS](https://cdn.document360.io/4c6b2b86-f0ee-419b-9aca-71ba574125e1/Images/Documentation/familyswitching1.png)

Figure 1: Setting family switching options in tsIOS

### The options explained

#### Family Keys

When entering a family key or clicking a family switch:

| **Option** | Result |
| --- | --- |
| Present switches for subjects | Presents switches for subjects who are members of the family. |
| Can order for families | The family switch will take the customer to the shop where they can order for the family entity |
| Go to switch page after entering key | Entering a family key will take the customer to the switch page. With the option unchecked they will be go directly to the shop. |

#### Subject Keys

When entering a subject key or clicking a subject switch:

| Option | Result |
| --- | --- |
| Present switches for folder(s) | Presents switches for the subject's home folder and any extra folders. |
| Present switch for family | Entering a subject key will present a switch for the subject's family. |
| Go to switch page after entering key | Entering a subject key will take the customer to the switch page. With the option unchecked they will be go directly to the shop. |

---

### FAQ

#### What is Family Switching in iOS?

Family Switching allows customers to switch between family members and the family entity itself using a single key entry.

#### Do I need to enter multiple keys for each family member?

No, you can use a single key to enter the site, then switch between the family members.

#### What types of keys can be used for Family Switching?

You can use either the family key or the subject key of any family member.

#### Where can I see a demonstration of Family Switching?

You can find a demonstration on the Timestone Software demo website at https://demo.timestone.com.au.

#### What options need to be set in tsIOS to enable Family Switching?

Options such as presenting switches for subjects and allowing orders for families need to be set.

#### What does the 'Go to switch page after entering key' option do?

If checked, it takes the customer to the switch page after entering a key; if unchecked, it goes directly to the shop.

#### What are switches?

Switches are buttons in IOS that allow the customer to switch between subjects and other entities such as families and folders.

An Access Key, also referred to as a Shoot Key, is a randomly generated 8 character code that is used to gain access to the Timestone Internet Ordering System (IOS).

The keys for the various entities in the Timestone applications can each be used as an Access Key to enable access to different images and products.

Subject, folder, family and job keys can therefore each act as an access key depending on context.

A utility provided with the Timestone Internet Ordering System (IOS) that is used to upload jobs