How to Use Apple Music on iPhone and iPad

Set up Apple Music on your device

Welcome to the world of Apple Music! With its vast music catalog and personalized recommendations, Apple Music offers a seamless listening experience on your iPhone or iPad. Setting up Apple Music on your device is easy and only takes a few simple steps.

To begin, make sure you have the latest version of iOS installed on your iPhone or iPad. Then, follow these steps:

Open the Music app on your device. If you don’t have the app, you can download it from the App Store.
Tap on the “For You” tab at the bottom of the screen. This is where Apple Music will personalize your music recommendations based on your taste.
You will be prompted to choose your music genres and artists. Select the ones that resonate with you to get the most accurate recommendations.
Next, tap on the “Browse” tab to explore a wide variety of music from different genres, curated playlists, and more.
If you already have an Apple ID, sign in with your credentials. If not, you can create a new Apple ID right from the app.
Once signed in, you can choose a subscription plan. Apple Music offers individual, family, and student plans, so pick the one that suits your needs.
Complete the setup process by entering your payment details. Apple Music offers a free trial for new users, so you can take it for a test drive before committing.

That’s it! You’ve successfully set up Apple Music on your device. Now, let’s explore the amazing features that Apple Music has to offer.

Explore the Apple Music app interface

Once you have set up Apple Music on your iPhone or iPad, it’s time to dive into its user-friendly interface and discover all the features that will enhance your music listening experience.

When you open the Apple Music app, you’ll find a sleek and intuitive design that makes it easy to navigate through your music library and discover new tunes. Here are some key elements of the Apple Music app interface:

Library: The Library tab is where you’ll find all the music you have added to your personal collection. It includes your playlists, albums, artists, songs, and recently played tracks.
For You: The For You tab is Apple Music’s way of curating personalized recommendations just for you. It considers your music taste, likes, and listening habits to suggest new artists, albums, playlists, and more.
Browse: The Browse tab lets you explore an extensive collection of music organized by genres, playlists curated by music editors, top charts, and featured releases.
Radio: The Radio tab offers a wide range of radio stations, including Apple Music’s flagship station, Beats 1, where you can listen to live shows hosted by renowned DJs and artists.
Search: The Search tab allows you to search for your favorite artists, songs, albums, or playlists. It also provides music suggestions as you type, making it easier to discover new music.

In addition to these tabs, the Apple Music app interface also includes various helpful features such as the “Add to Library” button, which allows you to add any song to your personal collection. You can also access your account settings, manage your subscription, and customize your music preferences in the app’s Settings.

With its clean design and user-friendly layout, Apple Music makes it a breeze to navigate between different sections and find the music you love.

Now that you’re familiar with the Apple Music app interface, let’s move on to browsing and searching for music within the app.

Browse and search for music

With Apple Music, you have a vast library of music at your fingertips. Whether you want to explore new artists, discover curated playlists, or find a specific song, browsing and searching for music is a breeze within the app.

To browse for music in Apple Music, follow these steps:

Open the Apple Music app on your iPhone or iPad.
Tap on the “Browse” tab at the bottom of the screen.
Here, you’ll find a variety of curated playlists, top charts, and featured releases. Scroll through the sections or choose a genre to find music that suits your mood.
Tap on a playlist or album to view its contents. From there, you can play the entire playlist or select specific songs to listen to.

If you have a specific song, artist, or album in mind, you can easily search for it using the built-in search feature. Here’s how:

Tap on the “Search” tab at the bottom of the screen.
Type the name of the song, artist, or album you’re looking for in the search bar at the top of the screen.
As you type, Apple Music will provide suggestions to help you find exactly what you’re looking for. Select your desired result from the suggestions or continue typing until you find the right match.
Once you’ve found the song or album, you can play it directly from the search results or add it to your library for easy access later on.

Additionally, Apple Music offers a range of search filters that allow you to refine your search results. You can filter by song, artist, album, playlist, music video, and more, making it even easier to find exactly what you’re looking for.

With the ability to browse curated playlists, explore top charts, and search for specific songs or artists, Apple Music ensures that you always have access to the music you love, as well as new and exciting discoveries.

Next, let’s learn how to create and manage playlists within the Apple Music app.

Create and manage playlists

One of the great features of Apple Music is the ability to create and manage your own playlists. Whether you want to compile a playlist for a specific mood, genre, or occasion, or simply want to organize your favorite songs, the process is simple and intuitive.

To create a playlist in Apple Music, follow these steps:

Open the Apple Music app on your iPhone or iPad.
Go to the Library tab at the bottom of the screen.
Tap on the “Playlists” section.
Click on the “New Playlist” button to start creating your playlist.
Give your playlist a name and, if desired, add a description and artwork to personalize it.
Now, you can start adding songs to your playlist. Search for specific songs, albums, or artists, or browse through your library and playlists to find the songs you want to add.
Tap on the “+” icon next to a song to add it to your playlist. You can add multiple songs at once or add them individually.

Once you have created your playlist, you can easily manage it by editing, reordering, or deleting songs. Here’s how:

Go to the Library tab and select the “Playlists” section.
Tap on the playlist you want to manage.
To edit the playlist, tap on the three dots (…) icon and select “Edit Playlist.” From here, you can change the name, description, artwork, and even the order of the songs.
To delete a song from the playlist, swipe left on the song and tap on the “Delete” button.

Additionally, Apple Music offers the “Smart Playlist” feature, where you can create dynamic playlists based on specific criteria, such as recently added songs, most played tracks, or songs from certain genres. These playlists automatically update as you add or remove songs from your library.

With Apple Music’s playlist creation and management features, you can have your personalized collection of songs for every mood and occasion, ensuring a tailored music experience.

Next, let’s explore how to add music to your library in Apple Music.

Add music to your library

Building your music library is a crucial part of enjoying Apple Music to its fullest. By adding songs, albums, and artists to your library, you can easily access your favorite music whenever you want, stream it online, or download it for offline listening.

To add music to your library in Apple Music, follow these steps:

Open the Apple Music app on your iPhone or iPad.
Browse or search for the song, album, or artist you want to add to your library.
Once you’ve found the desired music, tap on the “+” icon next to the song, album, or artist name.
The music will be added to your library, and you can find it in the Library tab, under the respective section (Songs, Albums, or Artists).

When you add an album to your library, all songs from that album will be added automatically. This allows you to easily access and play the entire album whenever you want. Similarly, adding an artist to your library ensures that you have quick access to their discography and latest releases.

Remember, adding music to your library doesn’t download it automatically. It simply adds it to your collection within Apple Music. To download music for offline listening, see the next section.

Furthermore, Apple Music offers a handy feature called “Automatic Music Downloads.” When enabled, it automatically adds new music from your favorite artists to your library as soon as it becomes available. This ensures that you don’t miss out on any new releases from the artists you love.

By adding music to your library, you can create a personalized collection of your favorite songs, albums, and artists in Apple Music. Now, let’s explore how to download music for offline listening.

Download music for offline listening

One of the standout features of Apple Music is the ability to download music for offline listening. This means you can enjoy your favorite songs, albums, and playlists even when you don’t have an internet connection, such as during flights or while traveling to areas with limited connectivity.

To download music for offline listening in Apple Music, follow these steps:

Open the Apple Music app on your iPhone or iPad.
Find the song, album, or playlist you want to download.
Tap on the three dots (…) icon next to the item.
From the options menu, select “Download” to initiate the download process.
A cloud icon will appear next to the downloaded items, indicating that they are now available for offline listening.

You can also download entire playlists or albums by tapping on the download icon at the top of the playlist or album page. This allows you to enjoy a collection of songs without the need for an internet connection.

To access your downloaded music, go to the Library tab and select the respective section (Songs, Albums, or Playlists). You’ll find a dedicated section labeled “Downloaded Music” where you can easily find and play all your downloaded content.

Keep in mind that downloaded music takes up storage space on your device. To free up space, you can remove downloaded items by swiping left on the item and selecting the “Remove” option.

By downloading music for offline listening, you can enjoy your favorite tunes without worrying about internet connectivity. Whether you’re on a long flight or exploring remote areas, Apple Music ensures that your music is always accessible.

Next, let’s explore how you can control Apple Music using Siri, Apple’s virtual assistant.

Use Siri to control Apple Music

Siri, Apple’s virtual assistant, can make your Apple Music experience even more seamless and convenient. By utilizing voice commands, you can control playback, search for songs, create playlists, and more.

To use Siri with Apple Music, here are some commands you can try:

Play music: Say “Hey Siri, play [song/album/artist/playlist] on Apple Music.”
Control playback: Use commands like “Hey Siri, pause,” “Hey Siri, skip to the next song,” or “Hey Siri, play the previous song.”
Request specific songs or artists: Say “Hey Siri, play [song/artist] on Apple Music.”
Create playlists: Use commands like “Hey Siri, create a new playlist on Apple Music,” or “Hey Siri, add this song to my playlist.”
Discover music: Ask Siri for recommendations by saying “Hey Siri, suggest some new music,” or “Hey Siri, what are the top charts on Apple Music?”
Control playback on specific devices: If you have multiple devices connected to the same Apple Music account, you can specify the device when giving commands. For example, “Hey Siri, play [song/album/artist] on my [device name].” This is particularly useful if you have an Apple HomePod or other Siri-enabled devices.

Siri’s integration with Apple Music allows for a hands-free music experience, making it easy to enjoy your favorite songs and manage your music library while on the go. Utilizing Siri’s capabilities can save you time and effort, as you can control your music playback without having to manually interact with your device.

Now that you know how to use Siri to control Apple Music, let’s explore curated playlists and radio stations within the app.

Listen to curated playlists and radio stations

Apple Music offers a vast collection of curated playlists and radio stations, allowing you to discover new music, explore different genres, and enjoy expertly crafted music programming. These features help you expand your musical horizons and keep you entertained wherever you go.

Curated Playlists:

Apple Music’s curated playlists are carefully crafted by music experts, artists, and tastemakers. These playlists cover a wide range of genres, moods, and themes, ensuring there’s something for everyone. To explore curated playlists:

Open the Apple Music app on your iPhone or iPad.
Tap on the “Browse” tab at the bottom of the screen.
Scroll through the various sections, such as “New Music,” “Hot Tracks,” or “Curated Playlists.”
Tap on a playlist to view its contents and start playing it.

You can also search for specific playlists by using keywords related to your preferred genre or theme. Apple Music’s curated playlists are regularly updated with new content, ensuring there’s always something fresh to discover.

Radio Stations:

Apple Music’s radio feature offers a diverse selection of radio stations, including the popular Beats 1 station. These stations feature live shows, interviews, and a mix of music from various genres. To listen to radio stations:

Open the Apple Music app on your iPhone or iPad.
Tap on the “Radio” tab at the bottom of the screen.
Explore the different stations that are available, including Beats 1 and other genre-specific stations.
Tap on a station to start listening to live shows or curated playlists.

Apple Music’s radio stations offer an excellent way to discover new artists, genres, and enjoy specially curated music programs. You can tune in to live shows hosted by renowned DJs and artists, providing a unique and immersive listening experience.

Whether you prefer curated playlists or radio stations, Apple Music ensures there’s always a delightful selection of music for you to enjoy. Next, let’s explore how you can follow your favorite artists and connect with friends through the app.

Follow your favorite artists and connect with friends

Apple Music offers a social element that allows you to stay connected with your favorite artists and share your musical interests with friends. By following your favorite artists and connecting with friends, you can discover new music, receive updates on your favorite artists’ latest releases, and even share playlists and recommendations.

To follow your favorite artists in Apple Music:

Open the Apple Music app on your iPhone or iPad.
Search for the artist you want to follow using the search bar.
Tap on the artist’s profile from the search results.
On the artist’s profile, look for the “Follow” button and tap on it.

By following an artist, you’ll receive notifications about their new releases, exclusive content, and upcoming events. You can easily access their music and stay up to date with their latest projects.

Additionally, Apple Music allows you to connect with your friends and share your musical interests with them. Here’s how to connect with friends in Apple Music:

Go to your profile by tapping on the “For You” tab and then tapping on your profile picture.
Tap on “Find More Friends” to discover people you know who are on Apple Music or use the search bar to find specific friends.
Once you’ve connected with your friends, you can view their profiles, see what they’re listening to, check out their shared playlists, and even listen to the music they recommend.

Connecting with friends on Apple Music opens up a world of music exploration and sharing. You can discover new artists, genres, and playlists based on your friends’ preferences, and have meaningful conversations about the music you love.

By following your favorite artists and connecting with friends, Apple Music transforms into a more engaging and social platform, enhancing your overall music experience.

Next, let’s explore how you can customize your Apple Music settings to suit your preferences.

Customize your Apple Music settings

Apple Music allows you to personalize your music listening experience by customizing various settings to align with your preferences. These settings enable you to fine-tune your Apple Music app and tailor it to your liking.

To customize your Apple Music settings, follow these steps:

Open the Apple Music app on your iPhone or iPad.
Go to the “For You” tab and tap on your profile picture at the top right corner of the screen.
Tap on “Settings” to access the Apple Music settings menu.

Within the settings menu, you will find a range of options to customize. Here are some key settings you can adjust:

Music Playback: Customize your music playback preferences, such as enabling or disabling explicit content, adjusting the equalizer, or changing the crossfade duration between songs.
Cellular Data: Manage your cellular data usage by choosing whether to stream music over cellular networks, download music using cellular data, or restrict data usage to Wi-Fi only.
Notifications: Control the types of notifications you receive from Apple Music, including new releases from artists you follow, updates on your favorite playlists, and personalized recommendations.
Privacy: Manage your privacy settings by deciding whether to allow Apple Music to access your listening history, recommend content based on your library, or use your location for relevant music suggestions.
Language & Region: Adjust your language and region settings to cater to your preferred language and location for a personalized Apple Music experience.

By customizing these settings, you can tailor Apple Music to align with your preferences, ensuring a more personalized and enjoyable music streaming experience.

Now that you know how to customize your Apple Music settings, you can fine-tune the app to cater to your unique musical preferences and needs.

Lastly, let’s address common issues users may encounter with Apple Music and provide troubleshooting solutions in the next section.

Troubleshooting common issues with Apple Music on iPhone and iPad

While Apple Music is generally a reliable and user-friendly app, you may occasionally encounter some issues. Here are some common problems users face with Apple Music on their iPhone or iPad, along with troubleshooting solutions:

1. Music playback issues: If you experience issues with music playback, such as songs not playing, skipping, or pausing unexpectedly, try the following steps:

Ensure your internet connection is stable and strong.
Close the Apple Music app and reopen it.
Restart your iPhone or iPad.
Check for any available updates for both the Apple Music app and your device’s operating system.

2. Downloaded music not playing offline: If you have downloaded music for offline listening but are unable to play it without an internet connection, follow these troubleshooting steps:

Check if you have enabled the “Downloaded Music” option before going offline. Open the Apple Music app and go to the Library section to ensure the option is enabled.
If the downloaded music is not playing offline, delete and re-download the content.
Make sure you have sufficient storage space available on your device for downloaded music.

3. Syncing and library issues: If you encounter problems with syncing your Apple Music library across devices or accessing your music, try these solutions:

Ensure you are signed in to Apple Music with the same Apple ID on all devices.
Verify that iCloud Music Library is enabled in your Apple Music settings. If not, enable it and check if your library syncs properly.
Restart your devices and ensure they are connected to a stable internet connection.

4. Incorrect or missing album artwork: If you notice incorrect or missing album artwork in your Apple Music library, attempt these troubleshooting steps:

Refresh your library by going to the “For You” tab, tapping on your profile picture, and selecting “Update Library.”
If the issue persists, remove the affected albums from your library and add them again to see if the artwork updates correctly.
Check if the artwork is updated in the iTunes Store. If not, it may be an issue with the metadata provided by the content provider.

If you continue to experience issues with Apple Music on your iPhone or iPad, consider reaching out to Apple Support for further assistance. They can provide specific solutions based on your device and the nature of the problem.

With these troubleshooting solutions, you can resolve common issues and enjoy a smooth and uninterrupted Apple Music experience.

Now that we’ve covered troubleshooting, you’re equipped with the knowledge to resolve any potential issues that may arise while using Apple Music on your iPhone or iPad.