Set up Apple Music Family Sharing in a few steps

Apple Music Family lets up to six people listen on separate accounts with their own playlists, recommendations, and listening history — all from one family subscription. You set this up through Family Sharing, Apple's system for sharing purchases and subscriptions across devices. The person who pays for Apple Music (the organizer) creates the family group, then invites others to join.

You'll need an Apple ID for each person you want to add, and everyone must be in the same country or region. Once someone joins, they get immediate access to Apple Music on their devices — no separate subscription needed.

Key Takeaways

  • The Apple Music subscriber (organizer) starts Family Sharing and invites up to five other people through their Apple ID.
  • Each family member needs their own Apple ID and must be added through Settings on an Apple device or through iCloud.com.
  • Family members can start listening immediately on iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, HomePod, or Android devices.
  • The organizer controls the family group and can remove members or change settings at any time.

How to create a Family Sharing group on iPhone or iPad

Open Settings and tap your name at the top. Select Family Sharing, then tap Set Up Your Family. Tap Create a Family Group and follow the prompts. Apple will confirm your payment method — this is where Apple Music charges will go. You'll see a screen showing you as the organizer.

At this point, Family Sharing is active but you're the only member. The next step is to invite other people to join your group.

Invite family members to join

In Family Sharing settings, tap Add Family Member. You can invite someone in person using their device, or send an invitation through email or iMessage. If you're inviting someone in person, have them hold their device near yours — Apple will use Bluetooth to send the invitation instantly. If you're inviting remotely, enter their email address or phone number and Apple sends them a link.

The person you invite will see a notification asking them to join your family group. They tap Accept, confirm their Apple ID password, and they're added. They don't need to do anything else — Apple Music access starts right away on all their devices.

Repeat this process for each person you want to add, up to five total family members (six including yourself).

Add family members on a Mac or through iCloud.com

If you're using a Mac, open System Settings, click your name in the sidebar, then click Family. Click the plus sign to add a family member and follow the same invitation process as on iPhone.

You can also manage Family Sharing from any web browser by going to iCloud.com, signing in with your Apple ID, and clicking Family. This method works if you're away from your devices or if the person you're inviting doesn't have an Apple device nearby. Click Add Family Member, enter their email address, and send the invitation.

What happens after someone joins

Once a family member accepts the invitation, they can open Apple Music on any of their devices and start listening immediately. They won't see your playlists or listening history — each person has a completely separate account. Their recommendations will be based on what they listen to, not what you listen to.

If they use multiple devices (iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch), they'll be signed in with their own Apple ID on all of them, and their Apple Music library will sync across those devices. They can also use Apple Music on Android phones by downloading the app and signing in with their Apple ID.

Remove a family member or manage the group

Go to Settings, tap your name, then Family Sharing. Tap the person's name and select Remove from Family. They lose access to Apple Music immediately, though any music they downloaded stays on their device.

You can also change who is the organizer (the person who pays) by going to Family Sharing settings and tapping Edit next to the organizer name. The new organizer must confirm the change, and the payment method will switch to their account.

Troubleshooting common problems

If someone isn't seeing Apple Music after joining, have them sign out of their Apple ID and sign back in. Go to Settings, tap their name, scroll down, and tap Sign Out. Then sign back in with their Apple ID password. This refreshes their access to family subscriptions.

If you're getting an error when trying to add someone, make sure they have an Apple ID in the same country or region as you. Family Sharing doesn't work across regions — if you're in the US and they're in Canada, you'll need to be in the same region. Also check that you haven't already added six people (the maximum is five family members plus the organizer).

If a family member's invitation expires without them accepting, you can send a new one. Go to Family Sharing, find their name, and look for an option to resend the invitation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add someone who doesn't have an Apple device?

Yes. They can use Apple Music on Android phones by downloading the Apple Music app and signing in with their Apple ID. They won't be able to use Siri or some Apple-specific features, but they get the full music library and can create playlists just like anyone else.

What if someone in my family already has their own Apple Music subscription?

When they join your family group, their individual subscription ends and they're covered under the family plan instead. They won't be charged twice. If they want to go back to an individual subscription later, they can leave the family group.

Can I see what music other family members are listening to?

No. Each person's listening history and playlists are private. You can see their name in the Family Sharing settings, but not what they're playing. The only exception is if you share a device and are both signed in with your own accounts — then you'll each see your own separate activity.

How much does Apple Music Family cost?

Pricing varies by country and changes over time. In the US, it's typically less than the cost of six individual subscriptions. Check Apple's pricing page or your App Store to see the current rate in your region.

Can I add a child to Family Sharing?

Yes. Children under 13 (or the age of digital consent in your country) need a child Apple ID created by a parent or guardian. Once the child account exists, you can add it to Family Sharing the same way you add an adult account.