How to Use Apple Music on iPhone and iPad

This article explains how to use the Apple Music streaming music service on an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with iOS 15.

How to Search and Play Music on Apple Music

Here's how to find music to listen to with Apple Music:

1. Open the Music app and tap the Search icon.

2. The Search screen offers shortcuts to Categories of popular music. Tap a category to see that content. To search for what you want instead, tap Search again.

3. Tap the Apple Music tab to search all of Apple Music and not just your current library.

4. In the search bar, type the artist name, song, or album you want to find.

5. Scroll through the results and tap the song or album you're interested in.

   When you tap a song, it starts playing immediately. When you tap an album, all the songs on the album are displayed, and you choose one to play.

How to Add Music to Your Library in Apple Music

Any music you find in Apple Music can be streamed by tapping the Play icon; however, having to search every time you want to hear a song is a pain. Add songs and albums to your Apple Music Library so you don't need to search for them again. Here's how:

1. In the Music app, go to a song or album you want to add to your library and tap the three-dot icon.

2. Select Add to Library at the top of the menu to add the chosen song or album to your Library. If you want to add it to a playlist, select Add to a Playlist and choose the playlist you want.

3. When the song, album, or playlist is added to your library, a big check mark appears on the screen.

How to Save Apple Music Songs for Offline Listening

Just adding music to your library means that every time you listen to a song, you stream it. That requires either being on Wi-Fi or using wireless data, and if you don't have an internet connection, you won't be able to listen to the music. Get around those limitations by downloading the music to your iPhone or iPad for offline listening. This uses storage space on your device, but it means you're never without the songs you want. Here's what to do:

1. Go through the steps to add a song, playlist, or album to your music library.

2. Tap the Library tab and locate an entry you want to download to your device for offline listening. If it's a song, you can find it in the Songs list. In the case of an album or playlist, tap it to open the screen that lists all the tracks; you can download some or all of an album or playlist.

3. Tap the three-dot icon next to the song you want to download.

4. In the menu that opens, select Download. A downward facing arrow appears next to the song indicating it has been downloaded to your device.

How to Share a Playlist in Apple Music

Apple Music lets you share the playlists you create with other users. This is a fun way to share your creations with other people who like the same kinds of music as you. To share your playlists on Apple Music, follow these steps:

1. In the Music app, open the Library tab and select Playlists.

2. Scroll to the playlist you want to share and tap it to select it.

3. Tap the three-dot icon.

4. Choose Share Playlist.

5. Choose a recent contact from the top row, or select AirDrop to send to a nearby device. You can also send your playlist by email or social media, or choose Copy for a link to the playlist you can paste anywhere.

How to Share Apple Music

There are features that you let share Apple Music with your friends and family. This can mean sharing a subscription or just sending a great new song. Whatever kind of sharing you want to do, learn how in How to Share Apple Music.

Using Radio in Apple Music

The core feature of Apple Music is the streaming music service, but that's not all Apple Music offers. The Radio tab has a great set of radio features, including expert-curated stations and Pandora-style stations you can make and customize yourself.

Learn all about Apple Music's Radio features in How to Use iTunes Radio in iTunes.

How to Cancel an Apple Music Subscription

Tried it out and decided that Apple Music isn't for you? You can cancel your subscription on your iPhone or iPad at any time. In the Music app, tap your profile photo or icon. Select Manage Subscription > Apple Music > Cancel Subscription. You'll still be able to use Apple Music through the end of your current month's subscription.