Can I share my Apple Music with an Android user?
Apple Music is a popular music streaming subscription service developed by Apple. It launched in 2015 and has grown to over 90 million subscribers as of 2022 (source). Apple Music subscribers can access over 90 million songs from a vast catalog of music and enjoy tailored recommendations, internet radio, and more. The service is popular among iOS users and deeply integrated with Apple devices. However, some users wish to share their Apple Music with friends or family members who use Android devices. The desire for cross-platform music sharing raises questions about the compatibility between Apple Music and Android.
Compatibility Issues
Apple Music was originally launched in 2015 as an iOS exclusive service. This means it was only available on Apple devices like the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch. Apple uses proprietary systems and Digital Rights Management (DRM) technology to restrict Apple Music to its own ecosystem.
For example, Apple Music uses FairPlay DRM to encrypt song files so they can only be played on authorized Apple devices. Songs downloaded from Apple Music won’t work on non-Apple devices without some type of workaround.
Platform restrictions also make it challenging to use Apple Music on Android phones and tablets. Without official Apple Music apps for Android, functionality is limited. As an iOS exclusive service, Apple Music was not designed with cross-platform accessibility in mind.
These compatibility issues arise because Apple wants to keep users within its own ecosystem. By making Apple Music work seamlessly on Apple devices but not others, they encourage customers to stick with iPhones over Android phones.
(Source: https://www.gottabemobile.com/apple-music-android-release-date-details/)
Possible Workarounds
Though Apple Music is not natively supported on Android devices, there are some workarounds that allow you to stream Apple Music to an Android phone or tablet. Here are a few options:
You can use screen mirroring or screen sharing to play Apple Music on your Android device. On iPhone or iPad, turn on screen mirroring in the Control Center and select your Android device. Whatever is playing on your iPhone or iPad screen will now also show up on the Android device. This lets you listen to Apple Music, but the Android device must stay in close proximity.[1]
Another workaround is to use an audio cable like a 3.5mm aux cable or Bluetooth connection. Connect your iPhone or iPad to your Android device via the audio cable or pair them via Bluetooth. As the Apple device plays Apple Music, the audio will transmit to the Android device.[2]
While inconvenient, these solutions allow you to listen to Apple Music on an Android phone or tablet using the devices you already own.
Airplay
Airplay is Apple’s proprietary protocol that allows wireless streaming between Apple devices and Airplay-enabled speakers, TVs, and other hardware. It utilizes Wi-Fi and Bluetooth to transmit audio, video, device screens, photos, and other media from an iPhone, iPad, or Mac to an Airplay receiver like an Apple TV or HomePod (Source).
While Airplay is designed for Apple’s ecosystem, there are ways for Android users to utilize it. Apps like AirMusic and third-party screen mirroring apps allow Android devices to discover and connect to Airplay receivers to stream content. However, the experience may not be as seamless as using Airplay between Apple devices. Streaming quality and stability can vary depending on the app used and local network conditions (Source).
Third Party Apps
While Apple Music is not natively available on Android devices, there are some third party apps that provide access. One popular option is TunesKit (https://www.tuneskit.com/apple-music-to-android.html). TunesKit is an application that allows you to transfer Apple Music songs and playlists from iOS to Android. It converts the Apple Music DRM protection so the files can be played on non-Apple devices.
To use TunesKit, you first need to install it on a computer running Windows or MacOS. You then connect your iPhone or iPad and use TunesKit to convert the Apple Music files. The files can then be transferred to your Android device via a USB cable. TunesKit subscriptions start at $19.95 per year.
Other apps like TunesKit include iMusic (https://www.aimersoft.com/music-transfer.html) and iTransor (https://itransor.com/apple-music-to-android.html). These also remove DRM protection and allow you to import Apple Music into Android. While not as seamless as direct Apple Music support, third party apps provide a workaround for Android users who want access.
Apple Music Web Player
One way for Android users to access Apple Music is through the Apple Music web player at music.apple.com. This allows Apple Music subscribers to stream music directly in their web browser without needing the iOS app. The web player provides access to the entire Apple Music library of over 90 million songs and 30,000 playlists.
While the functionality is slightly limited compared to the native iOS app, the web player includes core features like browsing and searching the catalog, accessing playlists, listening to Beats 1 radio, and viewing recommendations. Account management features like updating payment details, family sharing, and subscription status are also available.
The Apple Music web player uses progressive web app technology for an app-like experience and supports recent versions of all major browsers including Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari. So Android users can simply head to the website on their mobile browser or computer to access the service.
Account Sharing
While it may seem convenient to share Apple Music login credentials with friends and family, this practice comes with risks and legal gray areas that users should consider.
Apple’s terms of service prohibit sharing iTunes/Apple Media Services accounts with individuals outside of your family group or household. Violating this policy could result in termination of your account (https://discussions.apple.com/thread/254863224).
There are also security risks to account sharing. Giving login info to others means they have full access to your Apple ID, subscriptions, and personal data. If the password leaks, it could lead to hacking, fraud, or other identity theft issues down the line.
Users looking to legally share Apple Music access with non-family members have some safer options. The Apple Music Family Plan allows up to 6 users, while Spotify offers features like Duo Mix and Family Mix for account sharing. Purchasing individual subscriptions or using licensed alternatives may be the safest approach.
Spotify Comparison
When it comes to platform openness, there is a clear difference between Spotify and Apple Music. Spotify offers apps for both Android and iOS devices, allowing users on different operating systems to enjoy the streaming service. According to Knoji, “Spotify’s app is compatible with Android devices” (Source). This shows that Spotify has embraced cross-platform compatibility from early on.
In contrast, Apple Music was initially only available on iOS devices and Macs. While Apple has since released an Android app, there are still limitations in terms of sharing playlists and other features between iOS and Android users. Overall, Spotify took an open, platform-agnostic approach from the start, while Apple Music favors its own ecosystem.
Summary
While Apple Music and Android devices are not natively compatible, there are a few workarounds Android users can take advantage of to access Apple Music:
- Using AirPlay to stream Apple Music to an Android device from an iOS device or Mac
- Downloading third party apps like Musi, NuMu or ravPlayer to access Apple Music on Android
- Accessing the Apple Music web player in a browser on an Android device and logging in with an Apple ID
- Sharing an Apple Music subscription with an Android user by adding their account as a “Family Member”
These options provide access to Apple Music libraries and streaming for Android users. While not as seamless as Spotify’s cross-platform accessibility, they allow Apple Music subscribers to find workarounds for using the service on non-Apple devices.
The Future
In the future, we may see Apple Music become more platform agnostic and interoperable with Android devices. As Apple continues to diversify its products and services beyond just Apple devices, the company has incentive to make Apple Music work seamlessly across platforms. Increased interoperability would allow Apple to tap into the much larger Android market and better compete with platform-agnostic services like Spotify.
Apple has already taken steps towards this with the Apple Music web player, which allows Android users to stream Apple Music through a web browser. However, native app support would provide a much better user experience. Looking ahead, Apple may release an Apple Music app for Android, or use new technologies like progressive web apps to bridge the gap. The company could also explore integrating Apple Music directly into third-party apps like Spotify.
While Apple still wants to provide unique value to iPhone/iOS users, the company recognizes that services are a growth area, and limiting Apple Music to just Apple devices leaves a lot of potential revenue on the table. Allowing Android users into the Apple Music ecosystem ultimately grows the subscriber base, which benefits Apple overall. So increased interoperability aligns with Apple’s services-focused strategy.