You can add up to five other people to your Apple Music Family Plan through Settings on any Apple device

Apple Music Family Plan lets up to six people listen to music separately, each with their own account and recommendations. To add someone, you open Settings on an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, go to your name at the top, select Family, and invite them by their Apple ID email address or phone number. They get a notification, accept the invitation, and their account is linked to your family group. The whole process takes a few minutes and doesn't require them to be in the same room as you.

You need to be the family organizer — the person who set up the family group — to add new members. If someone else created your family group, you'll need to ask them to send the invitation. Each person on the plan gets their own music library, playlists, and listening history, so your music recommendations won't affect theirs.

Key Takeaways

  • The family organizer opens Settings, taps their name, selects Family, and chooses to add a family member by email or phone number.
  • The person you invite receives a notification on their Apple device and must accept to join the family group.
  • All six family members can listen at the same time on different devices without interfering with each other's accounts.
  • You can remove someone from the family group anytime through the same Family settings menu.

Steps to invite someone on an iPhone or iPad

Open the Settings app and tap your name at the very top of the screen. Scroll down and tap Family. You'll see a list of people already in your family group. Tap the plus sign or "Add Family Member" button. Choose whether you want to invite someone with an existing Apple ID or set up a new Apple ID for them.

If they already have an Apple ID, enter their email address or phone number. If you're setting up a new Apple ID for them — usually for a child — you'll create one with their name and birthdate. Either way, they'll receive an invitation notification on their device. Once they accept, they're added to your family group and can start using Apple Music immediately.

How to add someone on a Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Settings. Click your name in the sidebar, then click Family. You'll see the same interface as on iPhone: a list of family members with a plus button to add someone new. Click the plus button and enter the person's Apple ID email address or phone number, or create a new Apple ID if needed.

The invitation process works the same way on Mac as on iPhone — they receive a notification and accept to join. If you're inviting someone who doesn't have an Apple ID yet, the system will walk you through creating one with their name and date of birth.

What happens after someone accepts the invitation

Once they accept, they're part of your family group and can open Apple Music on any of their devices. They'll see their own library, playlists, and recommendations — completely separate from yours. If they already had an Apple Music subscription, it cancels and they use the family plan instead. They don't need to do anything else; the music service is ready to use.

All six family members can listen at the same time without any conflicts. If two people try to play music on the same device at the same time, one of them will get a notification that the device is already in use, but they can still listen on a different device.

Removing someone from your family group

Go back to Settings (or System Settings on Mac), tap your name, select Family, and find the person you want to remove. Tap their name and select "Remove from Family." They'll lose access to Apple Music and any other services shared through your family group, like iCloud storage or Apple TV+. Their own Apple ID remains active; they just won't be part of your family anymore.

If you remove someone, they can still use Apple Music if they have their own individual subscription. You can add them back later if you change your mind — just follow the same invitation steps.

Troubleshooting common problems

If someone doesn't receive an invitation notification, ask them to check their Apple ID email address or phone number — you may have entered it incorrectly. They should also make sure they're signed into their Apple device with that Apple ID. If they still don't see the notification after a few minutes, try removing them and sending the invitation again.

If you see an error saying you can't add more people, you've reached the limit of six family members. You'll need to remove someone before adding anyone new. If the person you're inviting already belongs to a different family group, they need to be removed from that group first — one Apple ID can only be part of one family group at a time.

Family group settings you can control as organizer

As the family organizer, you can set up parental controls for children in your family group. You can restrict what content they see in Apple Music, limit screen time, and control what they can purchase. You can also see which family members are sharing your location and manage shared calendars and reminders.

If you want to stop being the family organizer, you can transfer that role to another adult in your family group through the Family settings. Choose the person you want to make organizer, and they'll take over managing the group. You'll remain a member but won't have the ability to add or remove people anymore.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add someone who doesn't have an Apple device?

No. Everyone in your Apple Music Family Plan needs an Apple ID and at least one Apple device — iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple Watch. They can use a shared family iPad if they don't have their own device, as long as they're signed in with their own Apple ID.

What if someone in my family already has an Apple Music subscription?

Their individual subscription will cancel automatically once they join your family group, and they'll use the family plan instead. They won't be charged for both. If they leave the family group later, they can start a new individual subscription.

Can I add someone who lives in a different country?

Yes, but they need an Apple ID registered in a country where Apple Music is available. If their Apple ID is registered in a country where Apple Music isn't offered, they won't be able to use it through your family plan. They can change their Apple ID country in Settings if needed.

How many people can listen to Apple Music at the same time on a family plan?

All six family members can listen simultaneously on different devices. If two people try to play music on the same device at the same time, one will get a notification that the device is in use, but they can switch to a different device and listen without interruption.

What if I want to add someone but I'm not the family organizer?

Only the family organizer can add or remove members. Ask whoever set up your family group to send the invitation. If you want to become the organizer, the current organizer can transfer that role to you through Family settings.