To join someone's Apple Music account, you'll need to be invited to their Apple Family Sharing group by the family organizer, which then grants you access to their Apple Music Family subscription. You cannot directly join an account without an invitation from the family organizer.
Understanding Apple Music Family Sharing
Apple Music Family Sharing is a feature that allows up to six family members to share one Apple Music subscription for a single, low monthly price. It's built upon Apple's Family Sharing system, which also enables sharing of App Store purchases, iCloud storage, and more. The family organizer is responsible for inviting members, managing the group, and is typically the one whose payment method is used for shared purchases.
How the Family Organizer Adds You to Apple Music
For you to join someone's Apple Music, the family organizer must first add you to their Family Sharing group. Once you're part of the Family Sharing group, you automatically gain access to the Apple Music Family Subscription.
Adding a Family Member on Android Device
If the family organizer uses an Android device to manage their Apple Music subscription, they can add you by following these steps:
- On their Android device, they need to open the Apple Music app.
- They should tap the More button (often represented by three dots or lines).
- They need to tap Account.
- Then, they should tap Manage Family.
- Next, they tap Add Family Member.
- They will need to enter your name or email address associated with your Apple ID.
- Finally, they tap Send to send the invitation.
Adding a Family Member on iPhone, iPad, or Mac
If the family organizer uses an Apple device, the process is slightly different:
- On iPhone or iPad:
- Go to Settings.
- Tap their name/Apple ID at the top.
- Tap Family Sharing.
- Tap Add Member or Add Family Member.
- They can then invite you via Messages, email, or in person.
- On Mac:
- Go to System Settings (or System Preferences on older macOS versions).
- Click Family (or Family Sharing).
- Click the Add Member button.
- They can then follow the on-screen prompts to invite you.
Accepting an Invitation to Join Apple Music Family Sharing
Once the family organizer sends an invitation, you, as the person wishing to join, will need to accept it. This is the primary way you "join" someone's Apple Music account.
Steps to Accept the Invitation
- Receive the Invitation: You will receive an invitation via email or as a notification on your Apple device.
- Open the Invitation: Click or tap the link in the invitation.
- Join Family: Follow the on-screen prompts, which will typically include tapping or clicking a "Join Family" or "Accept Invitation" button.
- Confirm Details: You might be asked to confirm your Apple ID and password, and review the terms and conditions.
- Access Apple Music: Once you've successfully accepted the invitation and joined the Family Sharing group, your Apple Music subscription will automatically switch to the family plan, giving you full access to Apple Music's features without any additional cost to you (the family organizer pays for the subscription).
Key Benefits of Apple Music Family Sharing
- Shared Music Access: All members get unlimited access to the entire Apple Music catalog.
- Individual Libraries and Recommendations: Each family member retains their personalized music library, playlists, and tailored recommendations.
- Cost-Effective: Sharing a single family plan is often more economical than multiple individual subscriptions.
- Cross-Device Access: Enjoy Apple Music on all your compatible Apple devices, Android devices, and through web browsers.
Important Considerations Before Joining
- One Family Group: You can only be a part of one Family Sharing group at a time. If you're already in a group, you'll need to leave it before joining another.
- Shared Payment Method: The family organizer's payment method is used for all shared purchases, including the Apple Music subscription.
- Region Matching: All members of a Family Sharing group must reside in the same country or region as the family organizer.
- Leaving a Group: If you decide to leave a Family Sharing group, you will lose access to the shared Apple Music subscription and any other shared services.