What Apple Music is and who runs it

Apple Music is a music streaming service owned and operated by Apple. You pay a monthly or annual fee, and in return you can listen to millions of songs on demand through the Apple Music app on your phone, tablet, computer, or other devices. Apple Music is not free — there is no ad-supported tier — but the company offers different pricing plans depending on whether you are an individual subscriber, part of a family, or a student.

Apple Music competes directly with Spotify, Amazon Music, and YouTube Music. Unlike some of those services, Apple Music does not offer a free tier with ads. Every plan requires payment.

Key Takeaways

  • Apple Music costs $10.99 per month for an individual, $16.99 per month for up to six family members, or $5.99 per month if you are a student.
  • You need an Apple ID to sign up, and you can start a free trial that lasts one month before your first payment is charged.
  • The service works on iPhones, iPads, Macs, Apple Watches, and Android phones, as well as some smart speakers and car systems.
  • You can cancel your subscription at any time through your Apple ID account settings, and you will retain access until the end of your current billing period.

Individual, family, and student pricing

Apple Music offers three main subscription tiers. The Individual plan costs $10.99 per month and covers one person. The Family plan costs $16.99 per month and allows up to six family members to each have their own account, with separate libraries and recommendations. The Student plan costs $5.99 per month if you are enrolled full-time at an accredited college or university in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, or several other countries.

If you subscribe to other Apple services — iCloud+, Apple TV+, or Apple News+ — you may be able to bundle them into Apple One, which combines multiple subscriptions at a lower total price than paying for each separately. The pricing and which services are included varies by country and plan tier.

Apple frequently offers promotional pricing, such as three months free for new subscribers or discounted rates for the first few months. These offers change and are not always available to everyone, so check the Apple Music sign-up page to see what is currently offered in your region.

How to set up Apple Music

To start an Apple Music subscription, you need an Apple ID — a free account that Apple uses to manage your purchases, subscriptions, and personal settings across all Apple services. If you already own an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, you likely already have one. If not, you can create an Apple ID on Apple's website or through any Apple device.

Once you have an Apple ID, open the Apple Music app on your device, tap "Try it Free," and follow the prompts to choose your plan. You will need to add a payment method — a credit card, debit card, or Apple Gift Card. Apple will charge you at the end of your free trial period unless you cancel before that date. Your subscription will then renew automatically each month or year, depending on which plan you chose.

If you are a student, you will need to verify your enrollment through a third-party verification service that Apple uses. This process takes a few minutes and requires proof of current enrollment, such as a school email address or a photo of your student ID.

What devices work with Apple Music

Apple Music works on a wide range of devices, not just iPhones and iPads. You can stream on Mac computers, Apple Watches, HomePod speakers, and Apple TV devices. You can also use Apple Music on Android phones through the Apple Music app available in the Google Play Store, and on some non-Apple devices like certain car systems and smart speakers that support AirPlay or have built-in Apple Music support.

The experience varies slightly by device. On an iPhone or iPad, you get the full app with search, playlists, radio stations, and personalized recommendations. On an Apple Watch, you can control playback and access downloaded songs, but the interface is simplified. On a HomePod or in a car, you typically control playback through voice commands or the device's interface.

Canceling your subscription

You can cancel Apple Music at any time through your Apple ID account settings. On an iPhone or iPad, go to Settings, tap your name, select Subscriptions, find Apple Music, and tap Cancel Subscription. On a Mac, open System Preferences (or System Settings on newer versions), click your Apple ID, select Subscriptions, and cancel from there. On the web, you can manage subscriptions at appleid.apple.com.

When you cancel, you will keep access to Apple Music until the end of your current billing period. Your payment method will not be charged again. If you cancel during a free trial, your access ends immediately. If you change your mind later, you can resubscribe at any time, though you will not automatically get another free trial.

How Apple Music differs from other streaming services

Apple Music has no free tier with ads, unlike Spotify or YouTube Music. This means everyone pays, but it also means no interruptions from advertisements. The service integrates tightly with Apple's ecosystem — if you use an iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple Watch, Apple Music feels native to those devices in a way that competing services do not.

Apple Music includes access to Apple Music Classical, a separate app designed specifically for classical music with better search and metadata for composers, conductors, and orchestras. This is included at no extra cost. The service also emphasizes human-curated playlists and radio stations hosted by musicians and DJs, whereas some competitors rely more heavily on algorithmic recommendations.

One practical difference: Apple Music allows you to upload up to 100,000 of your own songs to your library through iCloud Music Library, so you can listen to music you own alongside the millions of songs in Apple's catalog. This feature is not available on all competing services.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Apple Music on a Windows computer?

Yes. Apple Music works on Windows 10 and later through the Apple Music app, which you can download from the Microsoft Store. You can also access Apple Music through a web browser at music.apple.com on any computer.

What happens to my music library if I cancel?

Songs you added to your library from Apple Music will no longer be playable once your subscription ends. However, any music you uploaded through iCloud Music Library remains yours and can be downloaded. Playlists you created are saved, but you cannot play the Apple Music tracks in them until you resubscribe.

Do I get a refund if I cancel mid-month?

No. Apple does not issue refunds for partial months. You keep access until the end of your current billing period, and then your subscription ends. If you cancel during a free trial, your access stops immediately.

Can I share my Apple Music account with someone outside my family?

Not through the Family plan — that is designed for people who share a household or are related. If you want to share with someone else, they would need their own Individual subscription. Sharing login credentials violates Apple's terms of service.

Is there a yearly payment option?

Apple Music does not currently offer an annual prepay option in most regions. You pay monthly, and your subscription renews automatically each month. Some promotional offers may include multiple months at a discounted rate, but these are temporary.