Apple Music subscription prices and what's included

Apple Music costs $10.99 per month for an individual plan as of 2024. A family plan that covers up to six people costs $16.99 per month. Students pay $5.99 per month with a valid school ID. Apple also offers a bundle called Apple One that combines Apple Music with other services like iCloud storage and Apple TV+, starting at $16.95 per month depending on which services you choose.

All plans include the same core features: access to Apple Music's full catalog of over 100 million songs, offline listening after you download tracks, ad-free playback, and spatial audio on supported devices. The difference between plans is mainly who can use the account and how many people can listen at once.

Prices can change and may vary by country. If you're outside the United States, check Apple's website for your region's current rates. Some carriers and internet providers also offer Apple Music as part of their service packages, sometimes at a discount or included free for a limited time.

Key Takeaways

  • Individual Apple Music costs $10.99 per month and includes access to over 100 million songs with offline listening and no ads.
  • A family plan for up to six people costs $16.99 per month, and each person gets their own account and recommendations.
  • Students with a valid school ID pay $5.99 per month, roughly half the individual price.
  • Apple One bundles Apple Music with iCloud storage, Apple TV+, and other services starting at $16.95 per month, which may cost less than paying for each service separately.

Individual vs. family plans and who should choose each

The individual plan at $10.99 per month works best if you're the only person using the account or if you want your own separate music library and recommendations. You can listen on multiple devices at the same time, but they all have to be signed in with your Apple ID.

The family plan at $16.99 per month is worth it if two or more people in your household want their own separate accounts. Each of the up to six family members gets their own Apple ID, their own music library, their own playlists, and their own recommendations based on what they listen to. Family members can listen at the same time without interfering with each other's experience. You set up a family group through iCloud settings, and the person who creates the group is the organizer who manages billing.

If you live alone or rarely share your account, individual is cheaper. If you have a partner, kids, or roommates who all want music, family usually saves money compared to buying multiple individual subscriptions.

Student pricing and how to verify your status

Apple Music student plans cost $5.99 per month, which is about 45 percent less than the individual rate. To get the student price, you need a valid student ID from an accredited college or university. Apple uses a service called SheerID to verify your enrollment status — you upload a photo of your ID or a recent class schedule, and the verification usually takes a few minutes.

Student pricing is available for up to four years from when you first sign up, as long as you remain enrolled. Once you graduate or leave school, your plan automatically converts to the full individual price of $10.99 per month unless you cancel.

You set up the student plan directly through Apple Music on your device or through Apple's website. The verification happens once during signup, and you don't have to re-verify each month.

Apple One bundles and whether they save money

Apple One combines Apple Music with other Apple services into a single monthly subscription. The Individual plan starts at $16.95 per month and includes Apple Music, Apple TV+, and 50 GB of iCloud storage. The Family plan costs $24.95 per month and includes the same services but with 200 GB of storage and covers up to six family members. A Premier plan at $34.95 per month adds Apple News+ and Apple Fitness+ to the family bundle.

To decide if a bundle saves you money, add up what you'd pay for each service separately. If you already pay for Apple TV+ ($9.99 per month) and want Apple Music ($10.99 per month), the Individual Apple One at $16.95 is cheaper than buying both separately. If you only want Apple Music and don't use the other services, the individual plan at $10.99 is still the better deal.

You can change or cancel any Apple One plan anytime. If you cancel, your subscriptions to each service end on the same date, so plan accordingly if you want to keep one service but drop another.

Free trials and promotional offers

Apple Music offers a free trial period when you first sign up. The length of the trial varies — it's often three months for new subscribers, but some promotions offer one month free. The trial period depends on which device you're signing up from and current promotions running at that time.

If you buy a new Apple device like an iPhone, iPad, Mac, or HomePod, you may get a longer free trial as part of the purchase. Some carriers and internet providers bundle Apple Music free for a set period, usually three to six months. Check with your provider to see if you're may be able to access.

After your free trial ends, your payment method is charged the full subscription price unless you cancel before the trial expires. Apple sends reminders before the trial ends so you have time to decide whether to keep the subscription.

How to check your current plan and billing details

On an iPhone or iPad, open the Settings app, tap your name at the top, then select Subscriptions. You'll see Apple Music listed with your current plan type and renewal date. On a Mac, go to System Settings, click your name, then Subscriptions. On a web browser, sign into your Apple ID account page and look for the Subscriptions section.

Your billing statement shows the exact amount charged each month and the date the charge occurs. If you're on a family plan, only the organizer can see billing details and change the payment method. Family members can see their own account settings but not the bill.

You can change your plan type anytime — for example, switching from individual to family or downgrading to student pricing if you become a student. Changes take effect on your next billing date. If you want to cancel, you can do that from the same Subscriptions menu, and your access ends on your renewal date.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Apple Music on non-Apple devices?

Yes. Apple Music works on Android phones, Windows computers, and web browsers at music.apple.com. You sign in with your Apple ID and get the same features as on Apple devices, including offline listening and ad-free playback. The app experience is slightly different on Android, but the core features are the same.

What happens to my music if I cancel my subscription?

Songs you downloaded for offline listening are deleted from your device when your subscription ends. Playlists and library items you saved stay in your account, but you can't listen to them until you resubscribe. Any music you purchased (not streamed) through iTunes remains yours permanently.

Can I share my family plan with people who don't live with me?

Apple's terms say family members should live at the same address, but the company doesn't actively verify this. However, if you share payment information with someone outside your household, you're responsible for the charges. Family members can see each other's names and Apple IDs in the family group settings.

Is there a way to get Apple Music cheaper than the listed prices?

Carrier and internet provider bundles sometimes offer discounts or free months. Student pricing is the lowest regular rate. Occasionally Apple runs promotions for new subscribers, but there's no permanent discount below the standard prices listed on Apple's website.

Do I need an Apple device to use Apple Music?

No. You need an Apple ID to sign up, but you can listen on Android phones, Windows PCs, or through a web browser. The only Apple device requirement is if you want to use Siri voice commands or certain smart home features with HomePod speakers.