You add family members through Apple's Family Sharing, which groups up to six people under one subscription

Apple Music's family plan costs the same as adding a single person to your account — you set it up once through Family Sharing, then invite up to five other people to join. Each person gets their own Apple ID, their own music library, and their own recommendations. They do not see what you listen to, and you do not see theirs.

The person who sets up Family Sharing (you, in this case) becomes the organizer. You pay the subscription fee. Family members can be added right away, or you can set up the group first and invite people later.

Key Takeaways

  • Family Sharing requires one Apple ID to be the organizer and pay for the subscription, with up to five other people added as family members.
  • Each family member needs their own Apple ID; you cannot add someone who does not have one, though you can create an ID for a child during setup.
  • Family members must be added through the Family Sharing settings on an Apple device (iPhone, iPad, or Mac), not through the Apple Music app alone.
  • Once added, family members can use Apple Music on any device where they sign in with their own Apple ID.
  • You can remove a family member at any time, and they lose access to Apple Music when ready when removed.

Setting up Family Sharing for the first time

Open Settings on an iPhone or iPad, or System Settings on a Mac. Tap or click your name at the top, then select Family Sharing. If you see "Set Up Family Sharing," tap or click that button. If Family Sharing is already on, skip to the next section.

You will be asked to confirm your payment method — this is the card that will be charged for the Apple Music subscription. Apple will also ask whether you want to share purchases (apps, books, music you buy individually) with your family. You can turn this on or off; it does not affect Apple Music streaming itself.

Once Family Sharing is on, you will see a screen showing family members. You should see your own name listed as the organizer.

Inviting family members to join

In Family Sharing settings, look for an "Add Family Member" or "+" button. Tap or click it. You will see two options: invite someone with an existing Apple ID, or create a new Apple ID for a child.

If the person already has an Apple ID, choose "Invite Family Member." Enter their email address or phone number. Apple sends them an invitation; they must accept it on their own device before they appear in your family group. They will be asked to confirm they want to join and to agree to share location and purchase history with the family.

If you are adding a child and want to create an ID for them, choose "Create an Apple ID for a Child." You will set up a child account linked to your family group. The child can use this ID on their own device, and you can set parental controls through Family Sharing if you want to.

What happens after someone joins

Once a family member accepts the invitation, they can open Apple Music on any device where they sign in with their Apple ID. They do not need to do anything else — Apple Music will recognize that they are part of a family plan and let them stream when ready.

Each person's music library, playlists, and listening history stay private. If you share purchases, they will see apps and books you bought, but not your music streams. They can also use other Apple services included in their subscription, like Apple TV+ or Apple News+, if those are part of your plan.

Removing a family member

Go back to Family Sharing settings. Find the person you want to remove and tap or click their name. Select "Remove from Family Sharing." They will lose access to Apple Music and any other shared services when ready. Their own purchases and data stay on their device, but they cannot stream through your subscription anymore.

If you remove someone by mistake, you can invite them again. There is no waiting period.

Troubleshooting common problems

If someone says they received an invitation but cannot find it, ask them to check the email or phone number associated with their Apple ID. Invitations can take a few minutes to arrive. They can also go to Family Sharing settings on their own device and look for a pending invitation there.

If a family member can open Apple Music but cannot play songs, check that your subscription is active. Go to Settings, tap your name, select Subscriptions, and look for Apple Music. If it says "Expired" or "Cancelled," you need to renew it before anyone in the family can stream.

If someone is in your family group but Apple Music says they are not part of the plan, sign them out of their Apple ID on their device, wait 30 seconds, and sign them back in. This refreshes their subscription status.

Switching from individual to family plan

If you already have an individual Apple Music subscription, you do not need to cancel it. When you set up Family Sharing, Apple will convert your subscription to a family plan automatically. You will not be charged twice, and the billing date stays the same.

If you are on a free trial of Apple Music and set up Family Sharing, the trial applies to the whole family. Once the trial ends, the family plan subscription begins and you will be charged.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add someone who does not have an Apple ID?

Not directly. They need an Apple ID to join Family Sharing and use Apple Music. You can create one for them during the invitation process if they are a child, or they can create their own at appleid.apple.com before you invite them.

What if someone in my family has their own Apple Music subscription?

They should cancel their individual subscription before joining your family plan, so you do not pay for two subscriptions. Once they join your family group, they can stream through your plan instead.

Can family members see what I am listening to?

No. Each person's library and listening history is private. Family Sharing only shares purchases (if you turn that on) and location data — not music streams or recommendations.

What happens to a family member's music if I remove them?

Their playlists and library stay on their device, but they cannot stream new music through your subscription. Any songs they downloaded for offline listening will still play, but they cannot access the streaming service.

Can I have more than one organizer in a family group?

No. One person is always the organizer and pays for the subscription. If you want someone else to take over, you have to remove yourself from Family Sharing and let them set up a new group.