Apple Music Family Sharing lets up to six people listen on their own accounts from one subscription
Apple Music Family Sharing is a plan that costs the same as a single Apple Music subscription but gives six family members their own accounts, each with separate libraries, playlists, and recommendations. You set it up through Apple's Family Sharing feature, which also shares other purchases like apps and books across your family group. Each person gets their own login and can listen on any device — iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, HomePod, or Android phone — without interfering with what anyone else is playing.
The person who starts the family group becomes the organizer and pays the subscription fee. The other five members don't pay anything for Apple Music, though they need their own Apple ID. Everyone's listening stays private; the organizer can't see what others are playing, and recommendations are based on each person's own taste.
Key Takeaways
- Apple Music Family Sharing costs the same as a single subscription and covers up to six people, each with their own account and listening history.
- You set it up by creating a Family Sharing group in Settings on iPhone or iPad, then inviting family members by email or accepting their invitations.
- Each family member needs their own Apple ID, and they can listen on any Apple device or on Android phones through the Apple Music app.
- The organizer pays the subscription fee and can remove members or change the family group settings at any time.
- Family members can use the same Wi-Fi network or cellular data without affecting each other's playback or account access.
How to create a Family Sharing group and add members
Start on the device where you want to be the organizer — usually your iPhone or iPad. Go to Settings, tap your name at the top, then select Family Sharing. Tap get your free guide or Create a Family Group. You'll see a list of people already on your device — family members whose iCloud accounts are signed in. You can invite them directly from this screen, or you can skip this step and add them later.
To invite someone who isn't on your device, tap Invite Family Members and choose whether to send an invitation by email or in person. If you send by email, they'll receive an invitation they can accept on their own device. If you invite in person, they can accept right away on your device using their Apple ID. Either way, they need to have their own Apple ID before you can add them — you cannot create an Apple ID for them during this process.
Once someone accepts the invitation, they appear in your Family Sharing group. They can then open the Apple Music app on their device, sign in with their own Apple ID, and start listening when ready. Their music library and playlists are separate from yours.
What happens when you upgrade to Family Sharing
If you already have an individual Apple Music subscription, upgrading to Family Sharing is free — you don't pay extra. Apple automatically converts your plan when you create the family group. If you're on a free trial of individual Apple Music, the trial ends and Family Sharing begins on the date your trial would have ended.
When you set up Family Sharing, Apple also enables shared purchases for apps, books, and other content across the family group. This is separate from Apple Music. If you don't want family members to see or access your other purchases, you can turn off purchase sharing in Family Sharing settings while keeping Apple Music shared.
Managing family members and removing people from the group
The organizer can add or remove members at any time through Family Sharing settings. To remove someone, go to Settings > your name > Family Sharing, tap the person's name, and select Remove from Family. They lose access to Apple Music when ready and cannot listen on any device. Their personal music library and playlists stay on their device, but they can't add new music or access the shared family library.
If the organizer leaves the family group or stops paying for Apple Music, the subscription ends for everyone. Apple sends a notice to all family members before this happens. One of the remaining members can become the new organizer and start a new Family Sharing group, but there's no automatic transfer of the subscription.
Family members can also leave the group on their own by going to Family Sharing settings and selecting Leave Family. They'll lose access to Apple Music and any shared purchases.
Listening on multiple devices at the same time
Each family member can listen on their own device simultaneously without any conflict. One person can play music on their iPhone while another plays a different song on their iPad, and a third listens on a Mac — all at the same time, all on the same Wi-Fi network or different networks. Apple Music doesn't limit how many devices one person can use, only how many people can listen at once (six).
If you're on a wired network at home, as discussed in the previous section, the same principle applies. Family members can connect via Ethernet cable, Wi-Fi, or cellular data without affecting each other's access or playback quality. The network connection is between each device and Apple's servers, not between family members' devices.
Using Apple Music Family Sharing on Android phones
Family members with Android phones can join Apple Music Family Sharing and listen just like iPhone users. They read the Apple Music app from the Google Play Store, sign in with their Apple ID, and start playing music. Their library and playlists sync across their Android device and any Apple devices they use.
The only limitation is that Android users cannot manage Family Sharing settings — they can't add members, remove people, or change the group. Only someone with an Apple device (iPhone, iPad, or Mac) can handle those tasks. But Android users can see who's in the family group and leave if they choose.
Troubleshooting common Family Sharing problems
If someone isn't seeing Apple Music after joining the family group, have them sign out of the Apple Music app completely, then sign back in with their Apple ID. Sometimes the app doesn't refresh when ready after an invitation is accepted. On iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > Music, scroll down, and tap Sign Out, then sign back in.
If the organizer changes their payment method or the subscription lapses, Apple Music stops working for everyone in the group. Check that the payment method on file is current by going to Settings > your name > Subscriptions > Apple Music. If the subscription shows as inactive, you can reactivate it from the same screen.
If a family member is having trouble accepting an invitation, make sure they have an Apple ID. They can create one at appleid.apple.com if they don't have one yet. Invitations expire after 30 days, so if someone doesn't accept within that time, you'll need to send a new invitation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I share Apple Music with people who aren't related to me?
Yes. Family Sharing is called "family" but Apple doesn't verify relationships. You can add anyone with an Apple ID, including friends or roommates. However, they'll also have access to any other shared purchases in your Family Sharing group, like apps and books, unless you turn off purchase sharing.
What happens to my music library if I leave the family group?
Your personal library and playlists stay on your device, but you lose access to Apple Music. Any songs you added while on the family plan remain in your library, but you can't stream new music or update playlists unless you get your own individual subscription.
Can two people listen to the same song at the same time on different devices?
Yes. Apple Music doesn't limit how many family members can listen to the same song simultaneously. Each person's device streams independently from Apple's servers, so there's no conflict or shared bandwidth issue.
Do I need to be on the same Wi-Fi network as other family members?
No. Family members can be anywhere — on different Wi-Fi networks, on cellular data, or on a wired connection — and still listen to Apple Music. The network connection is between each device and Apple, not between family members.
Can I have Apple Music Family Sharing and still use a different music service?
Yes. Family members can use Spotify, YouTube Music, or any other service on their devices at the same time. Apple Music Family Sharing doesn't prevent you from using other apps or services.