Apple Music for Android: How to Use Apple's Music Service on Android

Apple Music doesn’t come preinstalled on Android phones, but that doesn’t mean you can’t use it. Millions of Android users stream music through Apple Music every day, and setting it up is easier than you think. You don’t need an iPhone. You don’t need to switch phones. You just need the app, an internet connection, and your Apple ID.

Download the Apple Music app on Android

The first step is simple: get the app from the Google Play Store. Open the Play Store on your Android phone, search for "Apple Music", and tap "Install". The app is free to download, but you’ll need a subscription to listen to songs without ads. Apple Music offers a free trial - usually three months - so you can test it before paying.

Once installed, open the app. You’ll see the same interface you’d find on an iPhone: Browse, For You, Radio, and Library tabs at the bottom. It looks and feels like Apple Music on iOS, which means if you’ve used it before, everything will feel familiar.

Sign in with your Apple ID

When you open the app for the first time, it’ll ask you to sign in. Use the same Apple ID you use on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. If you don’t have an Apple ID, you can create one right inside the app. Just follow the prompts - you’ll need an email address and a password. Apple will send a verification code to your email or phone number to confirm your account.

Don’t worry if you’ve never used Apple services before. The sign-in process is straightforward. Your Apple ID is not tied to Apple hardware. It’s just a login for Apple’s services - like iCloud, App Store, and now Apple Music on Android.

Set up your library and preferences

After signing in, Apple Music will ask if you want to import your existing music library. If you’ve ever synced music from iTunes on a computer, or uploaded songs to iCloud Music Library, those tracks will show up automatically. You’ll also see your playlists, albums, and favorite artists synced across devices.

If you’ve never used Apple Music before, the app will start recommending songs based on your listening habits. The "For You" tab uses machine learning to suggest new music you might like. It learns from what you play, skip, and save. After a few days, the recommendations get noticeably better.

You can also manually add music to your library. Tap the "+" button next to any song, album, or playlist to save it. These will appear under "Library" - even if you’re offline later, you can download them to listen without Wi-Fi or cellular data.

Use Apple Music with Android features

Apple Music works well with Android’s native features. You can use it with Google Assistant by saying, "Hey Google, play Taylor Swift on Apple Music." You can also control playback from your lock screen, Android’s notification panel, or even with Bluetooth headphones that have play/pause buttons.

One thing to note: Apple Music doesn’t integrate with Android’s built-in music player. You’ll always open the Apple Music app to listen. But that’s true on iOS too - Apple keeps its music service separate from the system.

For Android users who use widgets, Apple Music lets you add a playback control widget to your home screen. Long-press on your home screen, tap "Widgets", find "Apple Music", and drag it to your desired spot. You can pause, skip, or jump to the next song without opening the app.

Download songs for offline listening

One of the biggest perks of Apple Music is offline access. If you’re on a flight, in a tunnel, or just want to save data, you can download songs to listen without internet.

To download a song, album, or playlist, tap the three dots (...) next to it, then select "Download". A downward arrow icon will appear next to the track. Once downloaded, you’ll see it in the "Downloaded" section under "Library".

Apple Music lets you download up to 100,000 songs, but you need to stay subscribed. If your subscription ends, you lose access to downloaded tracks. That’s different from buying songs on iTunes - those stay yours forever.

Compare Apple Music to Spotify on Android

Many Android users switch between Apple Music and Spotify. Here’s how they stack up:

Apple Music wins if you care about sound quality. Its lossless and spatial audio features are unmatched on Android. Spotify wins if you want a free plan or better podcast integration. But if you’re already in the Apple ecosystem - using iCloud, Siri, or an Apple Watch - Apple Music syncs more smoothly.

Fix common issues on Android

Most people get Apple Music working without trouble. But here are three common problems and how to fix them:

1. App crashes on startup - Clear the app cache. Go to Settings > Apps > Apple Music > Storage > Clear Cache. If that doesn’t work, uninstall and reinstall the app.
2. Music won’t play - Check your subscription status in the app. Go to Profile > Subscription. If it says "Expired", renew it. Also, make sure you’re signed in with the right Apple ID.
3. Downloads won’t sync - Turn on iCloud Music Library in the app settings. Go to Profile > Settings > iCloud Music Library and toggle it on. This connects your Android device to your Apple Music cloud library.

If you’re still having trouble, Apple’s support site has step-by-step guides for Android-specific issues. You can also call Apple Support - they’ll help even if you’re not using an iPhone.

Use Apple Music with Android Auto and smart speakers

If you drive a newer car, Apple Music works with Android Auto. Plug your phone into the car’s USB port, open Android Auto, and tap the Apple Music icon. You can control playback using the car’s touchscreen or voice commands.

It also works with Google Nest speakers and smart displays. Say, "Hey Google, play my Apple Music playlist on the living room speaker," and it will. You need to link your Apple Music account in the Google Home app first. Go to Settings > Music & Audio > Link Service, then choose Apple Music and sign in.

Amazon Echo users can also use Apple Music. Say, "Alexa, play Apple Music," and follow the setup in the Alexa app. You’ll need to enable the Apple Music skill and sign in with your credentials.

Final thoughts: Is Apple Music worth it on Android?

Yes - if you care about music quality, curated playlists, and seamless syncing across devices. Apple Music has over 100 million songs, thousands of curated playlists, and live radio stations like Apple Music 1. It’s not just a streaming app - it’s a music discovery engine.

But if you’re happy with Spotify’s free tier, better podcast library, or social features like shared playlists, stick with it. Apple Music doesn’t replace Spotify - it gives you another option.

The bottom line: Android users aren’t second-class citizens when it comes to Apple Music. The app works well, the sound is excellent, and your library stays synced. If you’ve ever wondered if you can use Apple Music without an iPhone, the answer is yes - and it’s easier than ever in 2025.