Enjoy your favorite Apple Music tunes on your Alexa-enabled devices. This guide provides a step-by-step walkthrough on how to configure Alexa to play Apple Music, set it as your default music service, and troubleshoot common issues.
Prerequisites for Using Apple Music with Alexa
Before diving into the setup process, ensure you have the following:
- Active Apple Music Subscription: You’ll need a paid Apple Music membership. If you don’t have one, sign up through the Apple Music app or the Apple website.
- Alexa-Enabled Device: This could be an Amazon Echo, Amazon Fire TV, or a compatible Sonos speaker. Make sure it’s already set up using the Amazon Alexa app on your iOS or Android device.
- Updated Devices and Apps: Ensure your iOS or Android device and the Amazon Alexa app are updated to the latest versions. This ensures compatibility and access to the latest features. For Android users, also check for Apple Music app updates on the Google Play Store.
Linking Apple Music to Your Alexa Account
Follow these simple steps to connect Apple Music to Alexa:
- Open the Alexa App: Launch the Amazon Alexa app on your mobile device.
- Navigate to More: Tap the “More” tab located at the bottom right corner of the screen.
- Access Music & Skills: Select “Music & Podcasts” from the menu. Then Select “Link New Service”
- Choose Apple Music: Scroll down the list of available music services and tap on “Apple Music.”
- Enable the Skill: Tap “Enable to Use” to activate the Apple Music skill. You might need to give Alexa permissions to access your Apple Music account.
- Link Your Account: Tap “Settings,” then “Link Account.”
- Sign in to Apple Music: Follow the on-screen prompts to log in using your Apple ID and password. If you have two-factor authentication enabled, you’ll need to verify your login using a trusted device or phone number.
Setting Apple Music as Your Default Music Service on Alexa
Tired of specifying “on Apple Music” every time you request a song? Make Apple Music your default:
- Open the Alexa App and Go to Settings: Launch the Amazon Alexa app and tap the “More” tab, then select “Settings.”
- Find Music & Podcasts: Scroll down and tap on “Music & Podcasts.”
- Select Default Services: Tap on “Default Services.”
- Choose Apple Music: Under the “Music” section, choose “Apple Music” as your preferred service.
Playing Music with Alexa and Apple Music
Once configured, you can ask Alexa to play anything from your Apple Music library:
- Specific Requests: Ask for specific songs, artists, albums, playlists, or radio stations. For example, “Alexa, play ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ by Queen on Apple Music” or “Alexa, play my ‘Workout’ playlist.”
- General Requests: Use broader commands like “Alexa, play some rock music on Apple Music.”
- Multi-Room Audio: Enjoy synchronized music across multiple Alexa devices by creating a multi-room music group within the Alexa app.
Disconnecting Apple Music from Alexa
If you need to unlink Apple Music, follow these steps:
- Open the Alexa App and Go to Settings: Open the app, tap “More”, then select “Settings”.
- Access Music & Podcasts: Scroll down and select “Music & Podcasts.”
- Manage Your Services: Tap on “Apple Music” under the list of linked services.
- Disable the Skill: Tap on “Disable Skill” to unlink your Apple Music account.
Troubleshooting and Support
For issues with Alexa setup or your Amazon device, refer to Amazon’s help resources. For Sonos speaker problems, consult Sonos support. Apple provides support for Apple Music related issues. Remember that Apple Music availability with Alexa varies by country and region.