How to use Apple Music: a complete guide

What is Apple Music and why choose this streaming service?

Apple Music is one of the largest music streaming services in the world, with more than 100 million songs in its catalog. Whether you have an iPhone, iPad, Mac or even an Android device, Apple Music offers an extensive music experience with high-quality audio and seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem. In this complete guide you'll learn everything about setting up Apple Music and getting the most out of it.

Setting up Apple Music on your device

Setting up Apple Music is easy, and within a few minutes you're ready to listen. Follow these steps to get started:

On iPhone and iPad

Open the Music app that comes preinstalled on your Apple device. The first time you open it, you'll be asked to sign in with your Apple ID. Then choose a subscription: individual, family or student. Apple often offers a free trial, so you can try the service before you pay.

On Android

Download the Apple Music app from the Google Play Store. Create an Apple ID if you don't have one yet, or sign in with your existing account. The Android version offers almost the same features as iOS, including lossless audio and Dolby Atmos.

On Mac and Windows

On a Mac you use the Music app, which replaced iTunes as of macOS Catalina. On Windows you can use Apple Music through iTunes or the web version at music.apple.com. Sign in with your Apple ID and you'll have instant access to your entire library.

Personalizing your music preferences

When you first use Apple Music, it asks you to select your favorite genres and artists. This is an important step because the algorithm uses this information to create personalized recommendations. Tap the genres you like and press and hold artists to indicate that you're a big fan.

Over time, the For You tab becomes better and better tuned to your taste. The more you listen, like songs and create playlists, the more accurate the suggestions become. You can also manually indicate that you like a song or album by tapping the heart.

Searching for and discovering music

Apple Music offers several ways to discover new music. The Browse tab shows new releases, trending songs and playlists curated by experts. The search function is powerful and even recognizes sung or hummed melodies.

Apple Music Radio

Apple Music 1, Apple Music Hits and Apple Music Country are live radio stations that broadcast 24 hours a day. There are also hundreds of on-demand radio stations by genre, mood or activity. This is an excellent way to discover new artists without having to search yourself.

Creating and managing playlists

Create your own playlists by tapping the three dots next to a song and choosing Add to Playlist. You can also create smart playlists that update automatically based on criteria you set. Share your favorite playlists with friends via a link or AirDrop.

Lossless Audio and Dolby Atmos

A big advantage of Apple Music is its support for lossless audio and spatial audio with Dolby Atmos, at no extra cost. Lossless audio offers CD quality or higher, while Dolby Atmos creates an immersive 3D listening experience.

Turning on Lossless

Go to Settings, tap Music and select Audio Quality. Here you can choose between different quality levels for cellular data, Wi-Fi and downloads. Keep in mind that lossless audio uses more data and storage space.

Activating Dolby Atmos

In the same settings you'll find the option for Dolby Atmos. Choose Automatic to turn it on when compatible headphones are connected, or Always On for all devices. Not every song supports Dolby Atmos, but the selection is growing fast.

Listening to music offline

One of the most useful features of Apple Music is the ability to download music for offline listening. This is ideal for long flights, train journeys or areas with a poor internet connection.

To download an album or playlist, tap the download button next to the title. You can also turn on automatic downloads, so every song you add to your library is downloaded automatically. Manage your downloads via Settings and Music to free up storage space when needed.

Using Apple Music with Siri

Siri integrates seamlessly with Apple Music and enables hands-free control. Ask Siri to play a specific song, start a playlist or find music that matches your mood. Example commands are: Hey Siri, play relaxing jazz or Hey Siri, what song is this.

Sharing and social features

Apple Music has several social features that let you share music with friends. Create a profile to show what you're listening to. You can follow friends and see what they're listening to, share playlists and create collaborative playlists.

SharePlay

With SharePlay you can listen to music together with friends and family during a FaceTime call. Everyone hears the same music at the same moment, perfect for virtual parties or group listening sessions.

Tips for getting the most out of it

Use the Replay feature to listen back to your most played songs of the past year. Check the New tab regularly for the latest releases from your favorite artists. Use the queue feature to add songs you want to hear next without interrupting your current playlist.

Sync your library through iCloud to have all your music, playlists and preferences available on all your devices. This ensures a consistent listening experience, no matter which device you use.

Troubleshooting common problems

If music won't play, check your internet connection and whether your subscription is active. Try closing the app and opening it again. If you have sync problems, try signing out and signing back in with your Apple ID. Make sure you have the latest version of the app installed.

Frequently asked questions

How much does an Apple Music subscription cost?

Apple Music costs 10.99 euros per month for an individual subscription. There is also a family plan for 16.99 euros per month (up to 6 people) and a student plan for 5.99 euros per month. Apple often offers a free 1-month trial.

Can I use Apple Music on Android?

Yes, Apple Music is available for Android devices through the Google Play Store. The Android app offers almost all the features of the iOS version, including lossless audio, Dolby Atmos and offline downloads.

How much storage does downloaded music use?

An average song in standard quality uses about 5 to 10 MB. Lossless audio uses considerably more space, up to 200 MB per song for hi-res audio. You can adjust the download quality in the settings to save space.

What is the difference between Apple Music and iTunes?

Apple Music is a streaming service that gives you access to millions of songs for a monthly fee. iTunes is the software you use to buy and own music. On Mac, iTunes has been replaced by the Music app, which combines both functions.