With Apple Music, Apple opens the door to 35 million-plus tracks you can stream on-demand.
- Install and launch the latest Music app.
- Click the Account menu and note the Apple ID you’re using on this computer. You’ll need to use this same Apple ID on your computers, iPhone & iPad to access the same music. (You can also set up Apple Family Sharing to share purchased music, videos & apps and get a steep discount on the Apple Music subscription with up to 6 people. Each person signs in with their own Apple ID to get their own music library and playlists.) To switch Apple ID accounts, click the Account menu and Sign Out, then sign back in.
- Click the Account menu and choose Apple Music. Sign up for Apple Music with a 3-month trial for yourself or your family group.
- Search for music. Click in the search box in the upper-right corner of the window and type a song, artist or album. Choose Apple Music and select an item to play. Because songs are always in Apple Music, you can find and play them again the same way whenever you like… as long as you have internet. And this method doesn’t mix Apple Music with your own songs.
- My Music shows your own music library – items you’ve purchased from iTunes Music Store, added from Apple Music or imported from somewhere else. This is the traditional iTunes section.
- Find music you’ll love. Click For You in the toolbar at the top. The first time you use For You, you’ll answer a few questions about your musical tastes so Apple can find music tailored just for you. The more you play music and click the heart-shaped like button, the better Apple Music gets.
- See new music. Click New and select from the following options. Hot Tracks shows today’s latest music. Apple Editor Playlists are put together by experts in each musical genre. Activities Playlists are tailored for a certain mood, like working, dancing, driving or workouts. Curator Playlists take you to recommendations from Rolling Stone, Shazam, Wired and others. And check out albums, music videos and more.
- Radio features Pure Pop, Dance, ESPN, NPR, and Apple’s own Beats 1. Yes, Apple has their own 24-hour radio station, hosted by the world’s top DJs. All commercial free.
- Click Connect and check out exclusive content directly from the artists. Some have pre-release tracks, music videos, notes from the tour. Don’t see anything in Connect? You can start following an artist by searching for them, then click the Follow button.
- iTunes Store is still available for purchasing music, movies & TV shows. It’s hidden by default – to show it click the Music app and choose Preferences. Click General and check Show iTunes Store.
Most songs can also be added to your library if you like. (A few tracks seem to be missing this option – it could be a bug or licensing.) When you add songs, they show in your library with your regular music. You can organize them into playlists just like your regular tracks, making them easy to find. Again, you’ll need internet access to play them because they stream on-demand.
Apple Music also includes iCloud Music Library. This optional feature makes all your playlists and music (tracks you own and your selections from Apple Music) available on all your devices. Any change in Music is reflected on all your Apple gear in seconds – no syncing required. Got some rare tracks? If they’re not available in Apple Music they’re uploaded to your iCloud account and synced (without counting against your iCloud storage). iCloud Music Library saves space – as long as you have internet, you can play all your music even if it isn’t actually stored on the device. So go ahead… jam to 35 million songs without filling your iPhone. To enable iCloud Music Library: Click the Music menu and chooose Preferences, click General and check the box to Sync Library. Repeat this with any other Macs you use – as long as you’re signed in with the same Apple ID you’ll see all your music on each of them. Then activate it on your iOS device.
What about when you’re offline? Most Apple Music (and all your own music) tracks can be downloaded to your Mac or iOS device for offline playing. This option is hidden in the button labeled with three dots … it’s called “Make Available Offline.” The songs are playable – anywhere, anytime, with or without internet or data plan – for as long as your Apple Music account is active.
Learn how to use Apple Music on your iPhone & iPad and how Apple Music could reshape the music industry.
The Apple Music FAQ from iMore.com.
- Sign up for Apple Music
- How to sign up and activate an Apple Music family plan
- Can’t get Family Sharing in Apple Music to work? Here's the fix!
- Apple Music, iCloud Music Library, and DRM
- Apple Music vs iTunes Match: What’s the difference?
- iTunes Match: the ultimate guide
- Finding Apple Music songs you’ve added to your library
- Listening to Beats 1 shows you’ve missed
More Apple Music tips
