You invite them through the Family Sharing settings on any Apple device
To add someone to your Apple Music Family Plan, you use Apple's Family Sharing feature, which is built into every Apple device. The person you're adding doesn't need to be in the same house or on the same Wi-Fi network. They need their own Apple ID, and you need to be the family organizer or have permission to manage the family group.
The actual steps depend on which device you're using, but the process takes about five minutes. Once you send the invitation, the other person accepts it on their device, and they can start using Apple Music when ready. They'll see their own music library, playlists, and recommendations — not yours.
Key Takeaways
- Family Sharing lets up to six people share one Apple Music subscription, and each person gets their own separate music library and account.
- You must be the family organizer to add members, or the organizer must give you permission to manage the family group.
- The person you're adding needs their own Apple ID; you cannot add them without one.
- After you send an invitation, they have seven days to accept it before the invitation expires.
- Family members can be removed at any time, and removing someone doesn't affect their personal Apple ID or other services.
How to add someone on iPhone or iPad
Open the Settings app and tap your name at the top. Select Family Sharing, then tap Add Family Member. You'll see two options: "Invite via iMessage" or "In Person". If you choose iMessage, enter their phone number or email address and send the invitation. They'll receive it as a message and can tap to accept.
If you choose "In Person", the other person holds their device next to yours, and the invitation transfers automatically through proximity. This method works if you're in the same room. Either way, once they accept, they're added to the family group and can use Apple Music right away.
How to add someone on Mac
Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions). Click General, then Family Sharing. Click the plus sign (+) to add a family member. Enter their email address or phone number and click Continue. Apple will send them an invitation, and they accept it on their own device.
The Mac process is slightly slower than iPhone because you're navigating through more menus, but the result is the same. The invitation goes out when ready, and they have a week to respond.
What happens after you send the invitation
The person you invited receives a notification on their Apple device. On iPhone or iPad, it appears as a message or notification. On Mac, it shows in System Settings. They tap or click to accept, and their device automatically joins the family group. They don't need to do anything else — Apple Music is already included in the family plan, so they can open the Music app and start listening.
If they don't accept within seven days, the invitation expires. You can send another one, but you'll need to go through the process again. There's no penalty for expired invitations; you can resend as many times as needed.
Who can add members and what permissions mean
Only the family organizer — the person who set up Family Sharing — can add new members. If you're not the organizer, you can ask them to add someone, or they can give you permission to manage the family group yourself. To check who the organizer is, go to Family Sharing settings and look at the list of members. The organizer's name appears at the top.
If the organizer gives you management permission, you can add and remove family members, but you cannot change payment methods or cancel the subscription. Only the organizer controls billing. This separation exists so one person manages money while others can help with day-to-day family membership.
What each family member can and cannot do
Each person in the family group gets their own Apple Music account with their own library, playlists, and recommendations. They cannot see what you're listening to, and you cannot see their activity. This privacy applies even though you're all on the same subscription.
Family members can read songs, create playlists, and use features like Spatial Audio and lossless audio if their device supports them. They can also share playlists with each other, but they have to do it manually — it's not automatic. If someone leaves the family group, they lose access to Apple Music when ready, but their personal Apple ID and other services (like iCloud storage or Find My) are not affected.
Removing someone from the family group
To remove a family member, go to Family Sharing settings, find their name in the member list, and select Remove or Remove from Family. The exact wording depends on your device. You'll see a confirmation message asking if you're sure. Once you confirm, they're removed when ready and can no longer use Apple Music.
Removing someone does not delete their Apple ID or affect anything else they own on their device. Their photos, apps, and other data stay intact. They straightforward lose access to the shared Apple Music subscription. If they want to keep using Apple Music, they can buy their own individual subscription.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add someone who doesn't have an Apple device?
No. Family Sharing only works with people who have an Apple device (iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple TV) and an Apple ID. If someone uses Android or Windows, they cannot join your family group, though they could buy their own individual Apple Music subscription.
What if the person I'm inviting doesn't receive the invitation?
Check that you entered their phone number or email address correctly. Ask them to check their Messages app, email, or notification center — the invitation might be there but marked as read. If they still don't see it after a few minutes, try sending the invitation again. Make sure they have an active Apple ID before you invite them.
Can family members see my listening history?
No. Each person's music library, playlists, and listening history are completely private. Family members cannot see what you're listening to, and you cannot see theirs. The only thing you share is the subscription cost.
What happens to someone's music if I remove them from the family?
Their personal music library and playlists stay on their device, but they lose access to Apple Music. Any songs they downloaded through the subscription will no longer play. If they want to keep using Apple Music, they need to buy an individual subscription.
Can I add more than six people to the family group?
No. Apple Music Family Plan includes up to six people total, including the organizer. If you need to add someone and you're already at six members, you must remove someone first.