How to share Apple Music with your family

This guide shows how to share Apple Music through Family Sharing, a feature built into every device made by Apple.

Set up Family Sharing

As soon as you set up Family Sharing, you can start sharing eligible Apple digital services, including Apple Music.

How to set up Family Sharing on iPhone/iPad

Start by launching the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad. Tap your name, which will appear at the top of your device's screen.

Select Family Sharing. If you haven't used that feature before, you'll see the Set Up Your Family option. Apple Music will be among the services you're allowed to share with.

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 In the final step of setting up Family Sharing, you can invite your family members. Select the Invite People option, then choose how you want to share your invitation. This can be done via text message, email, AirDrop, or in person.

From this point on, you've started sharing your Apple Music subscription. However, for others to start using this streaming service, they need to accept your invitation. Once they tap Join Family, they'll have access to Apple Music and any other services. Don't worry about inviting everyone at once. You can always go back and add more family members.

How to set up Family Sharing on Mac

To set up Family Sharing on your Mac, start by clicking the Apple menu located in the top left corner of the screen. From the drop-down menu, select System Settings. Click your name at the top of the sidebar. If you don't see your name, you'll need to sign in with your Apple ID by clicking Sign in with your Apple ID.

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After you sign in, click Family Sharing, located on the right side of the window. If you haven't used Family Sharing before, you'll see the Set Up Family option. Click here to start the process. Your Mac will show you which services you can share, and Apple Music will be among them.

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In the final step of setting up Family Sharing, you'll be given the option to invite people. Click Invite People, then choose how you want to share your invitation. If the person you're inviting is nearby, you can choose Invite in Person and ask them to enter their Apple ID and password on your Mac. Your family members will need to accept the invitation to start using Apple Music and any other sharing services.

How to share Apple Music by adding new members to the Family Sharing group

Now that you have set up your Family Sharing group, you can remove or add new members to that group. If you later decide to share your Apple Music with someone, follow these instructions for iPhone/iPad and Mac.

How to share Apple Music on iPhone/iPad

On your iPhone or iPad, navigate to the Settings app. Select your name at the top and select Family Sharing.

Looking at your Family Sharing overview, add others to that group by selecting '+' in the top right corner. You'll be asked to choose whether you want to invite others or create an account for your child.

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Click Invite Others and choose how you want to send the invitation. (You can do that via text, email, or AirDrop.) The recipient will need to interact with your invitation, activating their account along the way.

After you send an invitation to share your Apple Music subscription, check your invitation status by going to Settings -> [your name] -> Family Sharing. In case of technical problems, you can always resend the invitation by selecting Resend Invitation.

How to share Apple Music on Mac

To share Apple Music on your Mac by adding new members to the Family Sharing group, start by clicking the Apple menu in the top left corner of the screen. Select System Settings from the drop-down menu. In the System Settings window, click your name at the top of the sidebar, then choose Family Sharing.

To add a new member to your Family Sharing group, click the Add Member button and follow the onscreen instructions. Click the Invite People button and choose how you want to send your invitation.

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After choosing your preferred method, click Continue and send the invitation. The recipient will need to accept your invitation to join the Family Sharing group to start using Apple Music and any other sharing services. You can view sent invitations and the option to resend them in the Family Sharing section of the System Settings app.

Marvin Fry

Update 20 March 2024