You need an Apple ID for each person, then invite them through Settings
Adding someone to Apple Music Family Plan means they get their own account within your family group, with access to the full Apple Music catalog and their own listening history. The person you're adding needs their own Apple ID — a free account they create or already have. Once they have one, you invite them through your iPhone, iPad, Mac, or the web, and they accept the invitation. That's the whole process.
The family organizer (the person who pays for the plan) is the one who sends invitations. You can add up to five other people, for a total of six accounts on one plan. Each person keeps their own music library, playlists, and recommendations separate from everyone else's.
Key Takeaways
- The person you're adding must have their own Apple ID before you can invite them to the family plan.
- Only the person paying for the family plan can send invitations, though any family member can remove themselves later.
- You can add up to five other people to one plan, and each person gets their own separate music library and listening history.
- Invitations are sent through Settings on any Apple device or through iCloud.com, and the person has to accept before they gain access.
- Family members can use Apple Music on any device where they sign in with their Apple ID, including Android phones and non-Apple computers.
How to send an invitation on iPhone or iPad
Open Settings and tap your name at the top. Go to Family Sharing, then tap the plus sign to add a family member. You'll see two options: "Invite via iMessage" or "Invite via Email." Choose whichever way you want to contact the person. If you choose iMessage, type their name and the invitation sends through Messages. If you choose email, enter their email address and they'll get an invitation link.
The person you're inviting will see a notification or email with a link to accept. They tap it, sign in with their Apple ID if they're not already signed in, and confirm they want to join your family group. Once they accept, they automatically get access to Apple Music Family Plan. They don't need to do anything else — the music service is ready to use on their device.
How to send an invitation on Mac or the web
On a Mac, open System Settings, click your name in the sidebar, then click Family Sharing. Click the plus sign and choose "Invite a Family Member." Enter their email address or phone number and send the invitation.
If you're using a web browser, go to iCloud.com, sign in, click Settings, then Family Sharing. Click the plus sign and enter the email address of the person you want to add. They'll receive an email invitation with a link to accept. The process is the same across all methods — the person accepts, and they're in.
What happens after someone accepts the invitation
Once they accept, they can open Apple Music on any device where they sign in with their Apple ID. On iPhone, iPad, or Mac, they just open the Music app. On Android, they read the Apple Music app from Google Play, sign in with their Apple ID, and start listening. They can also use Apple Music on a web browser by going to music.apple.com.
Each family member's music library stays separate. If you add a song to your library, it doesn't appear in anyone else's library. Playlists you create are private unless you choose to share them. Recommendations and "For You" sections are personalized to each person's listening habits, not shared across the family.
Removing someone from the family plan
If you're the family organizer and need to remove someone, go to Family Sharing in Settings, tap their name, and select "Remove from Family." They lose access to Apple Music when ready, though any music they downloaded stays on their device until they delete it.
A family member can also remove themselves without asking permission. They go to Family Sharing in their own Settings, tap the organizer's name, and choose "Leave Family." Once they leave, they can no longer use the family plan, but they can start their own individual subscription or join a different family group.
What you need to know about family group limits
One family plan covers up to six people total, including the organizer. If you already have six people and want to add someone else, you have to remove an existing member first. There's no way to expand beyond six on a single plan.
All family members share the same billing — the organizer's payment method covers everyone. If the organizer cancels the plan, all six people lose access. If the organizer changes their payment method or the card declines, the whole family plan stops working until the payment issue is fixed.
Troubleshooting common problems
If an invitation isn't going through, make sure the person's Apple ID is correct and active. Ask them to check their email or Messages for the invitation — sometimes it lands in spam or a folder they don't check often. If they still don't see it, try sending the invitation again.
If someone accepted the invitation but Apple Music isn't showing up on their device, have them sign out of their Apple ID completely, then sign back in. On iPhone, go to Settings, tap their name, scroll down, and tap "Sign Out." On Mac, go to System Settings, click their name, and click "Sign Out." After signing back in, the Music app should recognize them as a family member.
If you're trying to add someone but the system says your family is full, count how many people are already in the group — you might have hit the six-person limit. The only fix is removing someone first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add someone who doesn't have an Apple device?
Yes. They need an Apple ID, but they don't need an iPhone, iPad, or Mac. They can listen on Android using the Apple Music app, or on any computer using music.apple.com in a web browser. The Apple ID is the only requirement.
What if the person I'm inviting doesn't receive the email?
Check that you entered their email address correctly. Ask them to look in their spam or promotions folder. If they still don't see it after five minutes, try sending the invitation again. You can also use iMessage instead of email if you have their phone number in your contacts.
Can a family member invite someone else to the plan?
No. Only the person paying for the plan — the family organizer — can send invitations. Other family members can't add new people, but they can remove themselves if they want to leave.
Does everyone on the family plan have to live in the same house?
No. Family members can live anywhere. Apple doesn't check location or require people to be related. The family group is just a way to share one subscription across multiple people and devices.
What if someone leaves the family plan — do they lose their playlists?
They lose access to Apple Music, but playlists they created stay on their device if they downloaded them. If they rejoin the family plan later or start their own subscription, they can recreate those playlists. Apple Music doesn't save playlists for people who aren't subscribed.