Adding family members to your Apple Music Family Plan allows you to share the music streaming experience with your loved ones. With this feature, you can enjoy unlimited access to a vast library of songs, playlists, and curated content on multiple devices. In this blog post, we will explore the different methods you can use to add family members to your Apple Music Family Plan and discuss some troubleshooting steps if you encounter any issues.
Video Tutorial:
Why You Need to Add Family to Apple Music Family Plan
Adding family members to your Apple Music Family Plan has several benefits. Firstly, it allows you to save on subscription costs, as the Family Plan accommodates up to six family members at a more affordable price compared to individual subscriptions. Additionally, it gives you the opportunity to create a shared music library, where you can discover and enjoy new songs together. With the ability to listen concurrently on multiple devices, each family member can personalize their music experience without any interruptions.
Method 1: Adding via Family Sharing
Adding family members to your Apple Music Family Plan via Family Sharing is a simple and convenient method. Here’s how you can do it:
Step 1: Open the Apple Music app on your device.
Step 2: Tap on the For You tab located at the bottom of the screen.
Step 3: Scroll down and tap the profile icon on the top-right corner of the screen.
Step 4: Select "Manage Subscriptions" from the drop-down menu.
Step 5: Locate the Apple Music Family Plan and tap on it.
Step 6: Tap on "Add Family Member."
Step 7: Enter the Apple ID of the family member you want to add and follow the prompts.
Step 8: The family member will receive an invitation to join the Family Plan. They can accept it by following the instructions in the invitation email.
Pros:
1. Easy and straightforward process to add family members to your Apple Music Family Plan.
2. Allows you to seamlessly share the music streaming experience with your loved ones.
3. Family members can enjoy unlimited access to a vast library of songs, playlists, and curated content on their own devices.
Cons:
1. Family Sharing requires all members to use the same payment method for the Apple Music Family Plan subscription.
Method 2: Adding via Family Organizer
An alternative method to add family members to your Apple Music Family Plan is by utilizing the Family Organizer feature. This method gives you more control over the subscription and simplifies the process. Here’s how you can do it:
Step 1: Open the Apple Music app on your device.
Step 2: Tap on the For You tab located at the bottom of the screen.
Step 3: Scroll down and tap the profile icon on the top-right corner of the screen.
Step 4: Select "Manage Subscriptions" from the drop-down menu.
Step 5: Locate the Apple Music Family Plan and tap on it.
Step 6: Tap on "Set Up Family."
Step 7: Follow the on-screen prompts to invite family members and add them to the Family Plan.
Step 8: Family members will receive an invitation to join the Family Plan. They can accept it by following the instructions in the invitation email.
Pros:
1. Provides the Family Organizer with more control over the Apple Music Family Plan subscription.
2. Simplifies the process of adding family members to the subscription.
3. Gives the Family Organizer the ability to manage and remove family members from the Family Plan.
Cons:
1. Requires the Family Organizer to initiate and manage the subscription.
Method 3: Adding via iCloud Shared Albums
If you encounter any issues with the previous methods, you can try adding family members to your Apple Music Family Plan using iCloud Shared Albums. Here’s how you can do it:
Step 1: Open the Photos app on your device.
Step 2: Tap on the Albums tab located at the bottom of the screen.
Step 3: Scroll down and select "Shared Albums."
Step 4: Tap on the "+" icon to create a new shared album.
Step 5: Name the shared album and add a description if desired.
Step 6: Tap on "Invite People" and enter the Apple IDs of the family members you want to add.
Step 7: Select "Create" to create the shared album.
Step 8: Family members will receive a notification to join the shared album. They can accept it by following the instructions in the notification.
Pros:
1. Provides an alternative method to add family members to your Apple Music Family Plan.
2. Gives you the ability to use iCloud Shared Albums as a workaround if other methods don’t work.
3. Allows family members to join the shared album and subsequently join the Family Plan.
Cons:
1. Requires the use of iCloud Shared Albums and may not be as streamlined as the other methods.
Method 4: Adding via iTunes on Mac or PC
If you prefer to use iTunes on your Mac or PC, you can add family members to your Apple Music Family Plan through this method. Here’s how you can do it:
Step 1: Open iTunes on your Mac or PC.
Step 2: Sign in to your Apple ID by clicking on the Account tab and selecting "Sign In."
Step 3: Once signed in, click on the Account tab again and select "View My Account."
Step 4: Scroll down to the Settings section and locate the "Subscriptions" option.
Step 5: Click on "Manage" next to the Apple Music subscription.
Step 6: Scroll down and locate the "Family Membership" section.
Step 7: Click on "Add Family Member" and enter the Apple ID of the family member you want to add.
Step 8: The family member will receive an invitation to join the Family Plan. They can accept it by following the instructions in the invitation email.
Pros:
1. Provides an alternative method to add family members to your Apple Music Family Plan using iTunes on Mac or PC.
2. Allows users to manage their subscriptions and add family members from a desktop.
Cons:
1. Requires the use of iTunes on a Mac or PC.
What to Do If You Can’t Add Family to Apple Music Family Plan
If you encounter any difficulties adding family members to your Apple Music Family Plan, here are a few troubleshooting steps you can try:
1. Make sure you’re signed in with the correct Apple ID on all devices. Verify that you’re using the same Apple ID for Family Sharing and the Apple Music Family Plan.
2. Check if your Apple Music subscription is active and up to date. If the subscription has expired or been canceled, you won’t be able to add family members.
3. Ensure that all family members are using an Apple device and have signed in with their own Apple IDs. Family Sharing is only available for users with Apple devices and Apple IDs.
4. Confirm that all family members are using the latest version of iOS, iPadOS, or macOS. Updating to the latest software version can resolve compatibility issues.
5. Restart the devices. Sometimes, a simple restart can fix temporary glitches or connectivity problems.
Bonus Tips
1. Make use of the "Ask to Buy" feature within Family Sharing to control and manage purchases made by family members, including in-app purchases and subscriptions.
2. Encourage family members to create their own Apple Music profiles to personalize their listening experience and keep their music preferences separate.
3. Consider setting up personalized playlists for each family member to cater to their individual music tastes. This can enhance the shared music experience while allowing for personalization.
5 FAQs About Adding Family to Apple Music Family Plan
Q1: Can I add family members who don’t live with me to my Apple Music Family Plan?
A1: Yes, you can add family members who don’t live with you to your Apple Music Family Plan via Family Sharing as long as they have their own Apple IDs and meet the eligibility criteria.
Q2: Can family members outside my country join my Apple Music Family Plan?
A2: Family members outside your country can join your Apple Music Family Plan as long as they follow the necessary steps to create an Apple ID and meet the eligibility requirements.
Q3: Can I remove a family member from my Apple Music Family Plan?
A3: Yes, as the Family Organizer, you have the ability to remove family members from your Apple Music Family Plan. This can be done by accessing the Family Sharing settings and removing the desired family member.
Q4: Can family members listen to their own music while being part of the Apple Music Family Plan?
A4: Yes, each family member within the Apple Music Family Plan can listen to their own music, create personalized playlists, and receive music recommendations based on their individual preferences.
Q5: Can I switch from an Individual Plan to a Family Plan on Apple Music?
A5: Yes, you can switch from an Individual Plan to a Family Plan on Apple Music. This can be done by accessing your Apple Music settings and selecting the appropriate subscription option.
Final Thoughts
Adding family members to your Apple Music Family Plan is a fantastic way to share the joy of music with your loved ones. Whether you choose to add family members via Family Sharing, iCloud Shared Albums, or through iTunes on Mac or PC, the process is relatively straightforward. By following the detailed steps outlined in this blog post, you can create a shared music library, enjoy unlimited access to a vast array of songs, and personalize the music experience for each family member. So go ahead and add your family members to your Apple Music Family Plan today!