You need to link your Apple Music account to Alexa through the Alexa app, then set it as your default music service

Amazon's Alexa does not come with Apple Music built in, but you can connect your account in about five minutes. The process works the same way whether you own an Echo Dot, Echo Show, or any other Alexa device. You will need an active Apple Music subscription and the Alexa app on your phone or tablet — the web version of Alexa does not have the linking option.

Once linked, you can ask Alexa to play songs, albums, or playlists from Apple Music by voice. You can also set Apple Music as your default music service so that when you say "play something" without naming a service, Alexa uses Apple Music instead of Amazon Music.

Key Takeaways

  • Open the Alexa app on your phone, go to More, then Settings, then Music, and select Apple Music to start the linking process.
  • You will be asked to sign in with your Apple ID and password, and to confirm that Alexa can access your Apple Music account.
  • After linking, you can set Apple Music as your default music service so voice commands like "play jazz" use Apple Music first.
  • If linking fails, check that your Apple Music subscription is active and that you are using the current version of the Alexa app.

Step-by-step linking in the Alexa app

Open the Alexa app on your phone or tablet. Tap the three horizontal lines (called a menu icon) in the bottom right corner, then tap More.

Scroll down and tap Settings. Tap Music and Podcasts, then tap Link New Service. You will see a list of music services — tap Apple Music. The app will ask you to sign in with your Apple ID and password. Enter your credentials and tap Sign In.

Apple will ask you to confirm that the Alexa app can access your Apple Music account. Tap Allow. You will see a confirmation message that Apple Music is now linked. Tap Done to close the window.

Setting Apple Music as your default service

Once Apple Music is linked, you can make it the service Alexa uses when you do not name a specific one. In the Alexa app, go back to Settings > Music and Podcasts. Look for Default Music Service and tap it. Select Apple Music from the list.

Now when you say "Alexa, play some rock music" or "Alexa, play my workout playlist," Alexa will search Apple Music first. If you want to use a different service for a single request, you can still say "Alexa, play jazz on Spotify" and Alexa will use that service instead.

What to do if linking does not work

If you see an error message when trying to link, first check that your Apple Music subscription is currently active. Log into your Apple account on a web browser or on an Apple device and confirm that your subscription has not expired or been cancelled.

Next, make sure you are using the most recent version of the Alexa app. Open your phone's app store (Google Play on Android, App Store on iPhone), search for Alexa, and check whether an update is available. If one is, install it and try linking again.

If you still see an error, try signing out of the Alexa app completely, then signing back in. Go to Settings > Account Settings > Sign Out, then open the app again and sign in with your Amazon account. After that, repeat the Apple Music linking steps.

Playing music by voice after linking

Once Apple Music is linked, you can use voice commands to play music. Say "Alexa, play [song name] on Apple Music" or "Alexa, play the album [album name]." You can also ask for playlists: "Alexa, play my Liked Songs" or "Alexa, play the Focus playlist."

If you set Apple Music as your default service, you do not need to say "on Apple Music" — just say "Alexa, play [song name]" and it will search Apple Music. You can still override the default by naming another service: "Alexa, play that song on Spotify."

Unlinking Apple Music if you change your mind

If you want to remove Apple Music from Alexa, open the Alexa app and go to Settings > Music and Podcasts. Find Apple Music in the list of linked services and tap it. Tap Unlink or Remove. Alexa will no longer be able to play Apple Music, though you can link it again at any time by following the same steps.

Unlinking does not affect your Apple Music subscription — you can still use the Apple Music app on your phone, computer, or other devices. It only removes the connection between your Apple Music account and Alexa.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Apple Music on Alexa without a subscription?

No. You need an active Apple Music subscription to link the service to Alexa. If your subscription has expired, renew it through your Apple account before attempting to link.

Why does Alexa keep playing Amazon Music instead of Apple Music?

Amazon Music is Alexa's default service. Make sure you have set Apple Music as your default in Settings > Music and Podcasts > Default Music Service. If you have, try unlinking and relinking Apple Music.

Can I use Apple Music on multiple Alexa devices at once?

Yes. Once you link Apple Music to your Amazon account, any Alexa device signed into that account can play Apple Music. You do not need to link separately for each device.

What if I have a family Apple Music plan?

Family plans work the same way. Link using the Apple ID of the family organizer or any family member's ID, and that person's music library and playlists will be available on Alexa.