Apple Music : Subscription, Features and More

When Apple Music was initially launched, it had an enormous impact on the world of music streaming. Today, Apple Music provides access to music videos, 24-hour radio stations, and more. Keep reading to learn what this music streaming platform is all about.

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What is Apple Music?

Apple Music went live in over a hundred countries in June 2020. Nearly 160 countries now use it. The service supports all of the greatest iPhones and iPads, Apple Watch, Apple TV 4K (2021), plus previous generations, HomePod, Mac, and CarPlay. It is also accessible over the web.

How Much Does Apple Music Cost?

Apple Music offers multiple plans that you can choose from, depending on your budget. Check out the plans below:

How To Sign Up For Apple One

To enroll in Apple One for the first time, complete these steps:

1. On the iOS equipment, launch the Settings app.
2. Navigate to your name at the top of the Settings page.
3. Navigate to the Subscriptions menu.
4. Choose Get Apple One.
5. Select the Apple One tier of your choice.
6. Select Begin Free Trial.

If you have an Apple Music subscription, you will get a prorated reimbursement for any days left on your current subscription(s).

Using Apple Music Without A Subscription

If you do not have a monthly membership, you can still listen to the music you've bought or transferred to your device, but you won't have access to all of Apple Music's features, such as offline listening.

Those who have iTunes Match will be able to utilize Apple Music without an Apple Music membership to listen to just about any music they've uploaded to iCloud. You'll even be capable of listening to Apple Music 1 plus Apple stations with advertisements.

A membership to Apple Music includes all of the advantages of iTunes Match and access to the complete Apple Music repertoire. You'll get access to your collection, unlimited stops for Apple Music radio channels, and unlimited listening to the whole Apple Music catalog.

You may listen to music that has been uploaded to iCloud, get curated suggestions, and store songs in your collection for offline listening.

How To Subscribe To Apple Music

You can sign up for and administer your Apple Music account from a variety of devices, including the iPhone, iPad, Mac, Windows, and the internet. After that, you may use your login credentials to access the application across all of your devices.

It is possible to sign up for or move between the Apple Music Family plan and an individual subscription.

How To Access Apple Music

Apple Music may be accessed through Music applications available on a variety of systems. It's accessible on Windows via the iTunes app.

The Music app for iPhone and iPad provides a one-stop-shop for your locally downloaded music, tunes from your Mac through iCloud Music Collection, the Apple Music streaming service, Apple Music 1 Radio, as well as an excellent search function for discovering new music and playlists.

Apple Music is also available on Apple Watch, Apple TV, plus straight via the HomePod series.

What Makes Apple Music So Special

Apple Music will enable Spatial Audio and Lossless Audio as of June 2021, both of which will be delivered at no extra cost to Apple Music customers. Each of these features dramatically enhances the listening experience on Apple Music.

1. Spatial Audio With Dolby Atmos

Spatial Audio utilizing Dolby Atmos provides a seamless, multi-dimensional audio experience by allowing artists to arrange music in such a manner that the notes seem to be coming from all around you. Apple previously offered a Spatial Audio function for television material, which has now been extended to include Apple Music audio content.

Apple Music plays Dolby Atmos songs automatically on all AirPods and Beats earphones with only an H1 or W1 chip, as well as the built-in speaker system of the latest iPhones, iPads, including Macs. Spatial Audio is also supported in the Apple Music applications for Android.

Apple intends to regularly add new Dolby Atmos songs and provides a diverse collection of Dolby Atmos soundtracks. At the time of introduction, there were hundreds of Spatial Audio tracks accessible in various genres. Apple is collaborating with Dolby to make it simple for artists, composers, and mix technicians to create Dolby Atmos tracks.

2. Lossless Audio

Apple updated their entire music collection to Lossless Audio in June 2021, using the ALAC (Apple Lossless Audio Codec), which keeps the information in the original audio file. Apple Music customers will be able to listen to songs as they were recorded in the studio.

At release, 20 million tracks supported the codec; by the end of 2021, approximately 75 million Apple Music tracks will be accessible in Lossless Audio.

The basic Lossless level starts with CD quality (16-bit at 44.1 kHz) and progresses to 24 bit at 48 kHz. There's also a Hi-Res Lossless tier at 24 bit 192 kHz, although Hi-Res Lossless necessitates the use of an additional digital-to-analog converter (DAC).

Apple claims that lossless music may be listened to on an iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple TV using the newest Apple Music app. Apple Music Lossless audio is not supported by the AirPods, AirPods Pro, or AirPods Max in India. A future update will provide compatibility for lossless audio on the HomePod as well as the HomePod mini.

3. A Host of Features

Every one of the streaming platforms offers unique features, and Apple Music focuses on human curation. While certain playlists are generated by algorithms, most of the material showcased on Apple Music is selected by Apple Music editors.

Apple provides frequently updated tailored playlists on a "For You" page, including a favorites mix, a relaxing mix, a colleagues mix, as well as a new music mix, and other daily playlist choices.

Additionally, Apple Music offers special album releases, documentary films, and music videos that aren't easily accessible.

One of the service's distinguishing characteristics is Beats 1, Apple Music's 24-hour live radio station. It includes DJ-curated music and a slew of unique programs, some of which are made by artists.

4. Streaming Radio Stations

Apple introduced support for over 100,000 live radio channels from around the globe to Apple Music in iOS 13, allowing you to request Siri to play your favorite local radio station.

5. Apple Music Availability

Apple Music is accessible in more than 167 countries. You can find the complete list on Apple's website.

Classical Music

Apple purchased the classical music provider Primephonic in August 2021, and Primephonic's products are now integrated into the Apple Music app.

Apple is developing a unique Primephonic encounter in Apple Music for classical music fans. The Apple Music service will include Primephonic playlists and audio material, an enhanced composer and repertoire browsing and search options, updated classical music information, and more.

Apple intends to develop a specialized classical music app in the future that blends Primephonic's classical music user experience with new capabilities.

6. Device Compatibility

Apple Music is compatible with all of Apple's platforms, including the iPhone (with CarPlay), iPad, Apple Watch (with really no iPhone on LTE variants), Apple TV, Mac, HomePod, and HomePod small.

It is also accessible on non-Apple devices, so you do not need to be an Apple user to get it. It is compatible with PCs running the PC version of iTunes, Android devices running the Android Apple Music app, Sonos devices, and Amazon-branded Echo devices.

7. Music Quality

Apple Music's standard listening format is 256kb/s AAC (Advanced Audio Coding) files, including a lossless tier.

Apple Music lossless in the ALAC format begins with CD quality (16-bit at 44.1 kHz) and progresses to 24-bit at 48 kHz for native playing on compatible Apple devices). Apple Music also has a Hi-Resolution lossless level that goes up to 24-bit at 192kHz, requiring a USB digital-to-analog converter (DAC).

Song quality may be tweaked in the Apple Music app by navigating to Settings > Music > Audio Quality, where genres can be selected for various connections and playing methods, such as cellular, WiFi, and download.

8. DRM

Apple Music download is available for offline playing. However, the material is controlled by DRM (digital rights management), just like other streaming music services.

If you terminate your Apple Music membership, the Apple Music music you've downloaded will no longer be available. Apple Music tracks cannot be shared to certain other devices, downloaded, burnt to CD, or used in any other manner off-device.

It's worth noting that if you activate the iCloud Music Library, all of your Apple Music material will be accessible on every one of your Apple Music-compatible gadgets.

How to Cancel a Subscription to Apple Music

Apple Music, like Spotify and Tidal, is one of numerous streaming music subscription services. Apple Music is incorporated directly into the iOS and Mac ecosystems, including features like Siri.

While Apple Music has a three-month trial period, you may cancel if you determine it's not for you. You may cancel your membership on your iPhone/iPad or Mac.

Conclusion

This is all the information we've got so far on Apple Music. As and when Apple keeps updating this platform with unique features, we'll keep you informed. So, don't forget to keep visiting Selectra's blog page regularly to learn about music streaming apps and their feature updates.