What you get with an individual Apple Music subscription
An Apple Music individual subscription is a monthly music streaming service that costs $10.99 per month in the United States. You get access to Apple's full catalog of over 100 million songs, ad-free listening, offline downloads so you can listen without internet, and the ability to create and share playlists. The service works on iPhones, iPads, Macs, Apple Watches, HomePods, and non-Apple devices like Android phones and Windows computers.
You can start a free trial that lasts one month before your first payment is charged. After that, Apple bills you monthly on the same date each month. You can cancel anytime, and your access stops at the end of your current billing period — you do not get a refund for unused time.
The individual plan is different from Apple Music Family, which covers up to six people for $16.99 per month, and Apple Music Voice, which costs $4.99 per month but only works through Siri voice commands on Apple devices.
Key Takeaways
- An individual subscription costs $10.99 per month and includes access to over 100 million songs with no ads.
- You can download songs to listen offline and use the service on Apple devices, Android phones, and computers.
- A one-month free trial starts when you sign up, then monthly billing begins automatically.
- You can cancel anytime, but you keep access only through the end of your current billing period.
- If you have multiple people in your household, the Family plan at $16.99 per month covers up to six people and may cost less per person.
How to set up an individual subscription
To start an individual subscription, you need an Apple ID and a payment method on file. On an iPhone or iPad, open the Music app, tap the Listen Now tab at the bottom, and look for the offer to start your free trial. On a Mac, open the Music app and select the same option. On Android or Windows, go to music.apple.com, sign in with your Apple ID, and select the individual plan.
During setup, Apple will ask you to confirm your payment method — a credit card, debit card, or Apple Gift Card. Your free trial begins immediately. After 30 days, your first payment is charged automatically. If you do not want to continue after the trial, you must cancel before the trial ends, or you will be charged.
Once your subscription is active, you can download the Apple Music app on any device and sign in with the same Apple ID. Your library, playlists, and listening history sync across all your devices.
What happens if you already pay for other Apple services
If you already subscribe to iCloud+, Apple TV+, or Apple News+, you may already have Apple Music included. iCloud+ plans (200 GB, 2 TB, or higher) include Apple Music at no extra cost. Apple One bundles combine multiple services at a discount — for example, Apple One Premier includes Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple News+, Apple Arcade, iCloud+ 2 TB, and Apple Fitness+ for $34.95 per month.
Before you pay for an individual subscription, check your Apple ID settings to see which services you already have. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > Subscriptions on iPhone or iPad, or System Settings > [Your Name] > Subscriptions on Mac. If Apple Music is already listed there, you do not need to buy it separately.
How to cancel or change your subscription
To cancel an individual subscription, go to Settings > [Your Name] > Subscriptions on iPhone or iPad, or System Settings > [Your Name] > Subscriptions on Mac. Find Apple Music in the list, tap or click it, and select Cancel Subscription. On Android or Windows, sign in at music.apple.com, go to your account settings, and find the subscription section.
Your access continues through the end of your current billing period. If you cancel on the 15th of the month and your billing date is the 20th, you can still use Apple Music until the 20th. After that date, you lose access to the service, though your playlists and library remain in your Apple ID if you resubscribe later.
If you want to switch to the Family plan or Apple Music Voice instead, you do not need to cancel first. Go to your subscription settings and select the new plan. Apple prorates the cost — if you have 10 days left on your individual plan and switch to Family, you pay only for those 10 days at the Family rate, then the new plan begins.
Comparing individual, family, and voice plans
| Plan | Monthly Cost | Number of People | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Individual | $10.99 | 1 | Full catalog, offline downloads, all devices |
| Family | $16.99 | Up to 6 | Full catalog for each person, separate libraries, parental controls |
| Voice | $4.99 | 1 | Siri voice control only, Apple devices only |
| Apple One Premier | $34.95 | Up to 6 | Apple Music plus TV+, News+, Arcade, Fitness+, 2 TB iCloud+ |
The individual plan makes sense if you are the only person using the account and you want full control over your library and recommendations. The Family plan is cheaper per person if you have two or more people in your household — at $16.99 for up to six people, it costs about $2.83 per person if all six use it. The Voice plan is the lowest cost but only works through Siri on Apple devices, so you cannot browse or search manually.
Troubleshooting common issues
If you are charged but cannot access Apple Music, check that your subscription is active in your Settings. Sometimes a payment fails silently and your subscription pauses. Go to your subscription settings, and if it shows a payment issue, update your payment method. Apple will retry the charge within a few days.
If you see Apple Music in your subscriptions but the app says you need to subscribe, sign out of your Apple ID in the Music app and sign back in. On iPhone, go to Settings > Music > [Your Name] and tap Sign Out, then sign back in. On Mac, open Music, go to Account > Sign Out, then sign back in. This refreshes your subscription status across the app.
If you are on a Family plan but your individual subscription is still active, you have two subscriptions running at once. Cancel the individual plan in your subscription settings to stop the duplicate charge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Apple Music on my Android phone?
Yes. Download the Apple Music app from the Google Play Store, sign in with your Apple ID, and you have full access to the same catalog and features as on iPhone. You can create playlists, download songs, and use all the same features except Siri voice control, which is Apple-only.
What happens to my music if I cancel my subscription?
Songs you downloaded to your device remain playable for 30 days after cancellation, then they stop working. Your playlists and library information stay in your Apple ID, so if you resubscribe later, everything is still there. Songs you own outright (purchased, not streamed) are not affected.
Do I have to use a credit card, or can I pay another way?
You can use a credit card, debit card, or Apple Gift Card. You can also use a payment method linked to your Apple ID, such as PayPal if you set it up in your Apple ID settings. You cannot pay with cash or by invoice.
Can I share my individual subscription with family members?
No. An individual subscription is for one person only. If you share your Apple ID password with family members, they can access your account, but Apple Music will treat it as one person's account — everyone's listening history and recommendations will be mixed together. For separate accounts and libraries, you need the Family plan.
Is there a student discount for Apple Music?
Apple offers a student discount on Apple Music through the Apple Music Student plan, which costs $5.99 per month. You must verify your student status through SheerID or a similar verification service. The discount is available in the United States and some other countries, but not all.