How to Set up and Add Members to an Apple Music Family Subscription

By Mike Peterson

Apple

Apple Music, like other streaming platforms, offers a family subscription that can save families some money — depending on the circumstances, of course.

On the other hand, setting up a family subscription and adding family members can be a bit tricky. That’s because, unlike its competitors, Apple Music is thoroughly baked into the company’s ecosystem and uses a proprietary system. That can make it confusing if your family doesn’t strictly use Apple devices.

? Why You Might Want a Family Plan

An Apple Music family subscription lets you and five other family members get access to the streaming platform for $15 a month.

Each family member will have their own personal account, and the family plan offers other benefits, too.

According to Apple, you can “share what you want, when you want — or not at all.” When it comes to Apple Music, specifically, that includes iTunes purchases..

X Why You Might Not Want One

Of course, having an Apple Music family account might not be right for every family.

Depending on your circumstances, you could get a better price using individual accounts. Particularly if you’re both students and qualify for education pricing (which is only $4.99 a month).

Still, an Apple Music subscription for up to six people at $15 is a great price. So look at your own circumstances and weigh your options.

1 How to Set Up an Apple Music Family Account

Note: You’ll need an Apple ID to set this up, but if you have an Apple device, you probably already do. You’ll also need at least one iPhone, iPad, iPod touch or macOS device running iOS 8 or OS X Yosemite or later.

Of course, you’ll also need to purchase an Apple Music Family plan.

Get an Apple Music Family Subscription

If you don’t have an Apple Music account, you can sign up for one here. Just be sure to choose the Family subscription when setting it up.

If you do have an account and you’re currently on a device you’re signed into now, just click this link for iOS or this link for macOS. Alternatively, follow the steps below.

For iOS users

For macOS users:

Set up Family Sharing

An Apple Music Family subscription isn’t a standalone product. It’s tied into the Apple’s Family Sharing platform. Because of that, to invite family members to your plan, you’ll need to set up Family Sharing.

This article will assume that you want to be what Apple calls the “family organizer” who sets the platform up and manages it. If you don’t, get someone else in your family to follow these steps.

For iOS users:

For macOS users:

2 How to Add Family Members to Your Account

Once you’ve signed up for an Apple Music family subscription and have set up Family Sharing, you can begin inviting family members. Here’s how.

On iOS

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Tap the Apple ID card (your name).
  3. Tap Family Sharing.
  4. Tap Add Family Member.
  5. Enter their name or email address.
  6. Follow the instructions.

On macOS

  1. Click on the Apple logo in the upper-left of the menu bar.
  2. Click on System Preferences.
  3. Click on iCloud.
  4. Find and click on Manage Family.
  5. Click the + icon and follow the instructions.

On Android

  1. Open Apple Music.
  2. Tap the menu icon in the upper-left corner.
  3. Tap on Account settings (it should be your photo or name).
  4. Tap on Manage Membership.
  5. Tap on Family or Family Setup, depending on which option is available.
  6. If you tapped on Family, follow the instructions. If you tapped on Family Setup, tap on Add Family Member and follow the instructions.

What to Do From Here

  1. Once you go through the above steps, the only thing left to do is have your family member start using Apple Music.
  2. On their device (logged into their iCloud and Apple ID), just open Apple Music and sign-in with the same credentials you sent an invite to.

? Common Problems

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