(1) Does Alexa Work With Apple Music? [Updated 2023]

Apple and Amazon are official partners. 

So it really makes you wonder…

Does Alexa work with Apple Music?

I was curious about that too, so I tried it myself. 

And fortunately, I was able to find the answer. 

Continue reading to find out:

• 2 ways to connect Alexa with Apple Music.
• 9 quick steps to link the 2 services using the Amazon Alexa app.
• 5 effortless fixes you can try if Alexa won’t play from Apple Music. 
• And much, much more… 

Does Alexa work with Apple Music?

Alexa works with Apple Music. All you need to do is enable Apple Music on the Amazon Alexa app. And command the Echo device to play any songs from the streaming platform. You can also set Apple Music as your default music service. So that Alexa will play songs from the app every time. 

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How do I link my Apple Music to Alexa?

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You can link Apple Music to Alexa in 2 different ways.

And fortunately, both of them are as easy as the other.

With that said, I’ll start with the 1 that doesn’t need you to open up the Alexa app. 

5 steps to link Apple Music to Alexa with Bluetooth

#1: Ensure that your phone’s Bluetooth is ON

For both iOS and Android users:

1. Head to Settings.
2. Click Bluetooth.
3. Toggle the switch ON. 

Pro tip: If your mobile device is connected to other Bluetooth devices, like AirPods. Disconnect them 1st so your phone can easily connect to your Echo. 

#2: Tell Alexa to pair with your phone

Bring your mobile device closer to your Echo.

And say: 

“Alexa, connect to my [name of your gadget].”

Now, you can usually say the general name of your device, like “iPhone” or “iPad.” 

And Alexa will connect to your gadget right away. 

But if you have many mobile devices at home…

It’s best to use the specific name of your phone. 

This way, Alexa won’t be confused and connect with a different device. 

#3: Wait for Alexa’s response

If the connection is successful, you’d hear a line that generally goes like this:

“[Gadget] connected to Echo.”

But if your AI states that she can’t find the device…

Follow these steps to connect your Alexa to your phone manually:

1. Turn ON your Echo and say, “Alexa, pair.”
2. Open your phone’s Bluetooth settings.
3. From the list of pairable devices, select your Echo. 
4. Wait for Alexa to confirm that the connection has been a success. 

#4: Play your favorite tunes

Head to the Apple Music app and play the tracks or playlists you want. 

Now, your music will automatically play through your Echo. And you can also ask Alexa to adjust the volume of your songs.

However, it’s worth noting that with this setup…

When you ask Alexa to play tracks, she won’t automatically play from Apple Music. 

Because for this to happen, you need to set Apple Music as Alexa’s default music service. 

Note: Read the next section if you want to try this setup. 

#5: Disconnect your Echo

Once you’ve finished enjoying music through your Alexa…

Disconnect your phone from the Echo device by saying:

“Alexa, disconnect from [gadget name].”

Your Echo will sound a chime after this command. And your phone will automatically disconnect from Alexa. 

You might also want to know: How To Keep Alexa From Stopping Music Playback? 9 Steps

9 steps to link Apple Music with Alexa using the app

#1: Open up your Amazon Alexa app

Turn ON your mobile device.

And tap Amazon Alexa’s tile to launch it. 

“I don’t have the app yet.”

Then follow these…

Steps to install Amazon Alexa on your device

On iOS devices:

1. Turn ON your iPhone or iPad and head to the App Store.
2. Click the Search icon at the bottom right of your screen.
3. Tap the Search bar at the top and type “Amazon Alexa.”
4. Select the official app from the results.
5. Click the blue GET button. 
6. Input your credentials if needed.
7. Wait for the download process to be completed. 

On Android devices:

1. Turn ON your device and launch the Google PlayStore. 
2. Search “Amazon Alexa” in the search bar.
3. Select the official app from the results.
4. Click the Install option.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions.
6. Wait for the app to be installed. 

#2: Head to Amazon Alexa’s settings

Sign in to the Alexa app if you haven’t already.

And click the More icon at the bottom-right corner of the application’s home screen.

After doing so, a window will appear on the left side of the app. 

So from the list, select Settings, which is the very last option. 

#3: Head to Music & Podcasts

Scroll down until you find the ALEXA PREFERENCES section.

And select the Music & Podcasts option. 

You’ll be redirected to a new page, and from here… 

#4: Click Link New Service

You’ll see all the services you’ve already linked to your Amazon Alexa on this new page. 

But since Apple Music is a new app that you’ll use with Alexa…

Select the Link New Service (+) option. 

#5: Select Apple Music

You’ll see the name of the different apps you can link Alexa with. And that includes:

• Tidal. 
• VEVO.
• Pandora.
• Apple Music.
• Apple Podcasts.

Now, from these choices, select Apple Music. And…

#6: Read the information about the app

Scroll down and see the different details about Apple Music’s integration with Alexa. 

This page includes:

• What you can do with this connection.
• How you can use Apple Music with Alexa. 
• Examples of voice command you can say to play Apple Music. 

And since these are all helpful information, it’s best to read them thoroughly. 

#7: Link Apple Music with Alexa

Go back to the top of the page, and select the ENABLE TO USE button. 

This will direct you to a Sign-in page. So, log in using your Apple ID with an active Apple Music account. 

Note: If you don’t have an Apple Music subscription yet, head to this website. And follow the on-screen instructions to subscribe to the service. 

Now, at this point, you can already play songs from Apple Music using Alexa. 

And that’s by simply saying voice commands like:

• “Alexa, play Today’s Hits on Apple Music.”
• “Alexa, play my favorite playlist on Apple Music.”
• “Alexa, play Ariana Grande’s playlist on Apple Music.”

However, as you can see…

You must say “on Apple Music” at the end of all your music commands to make Alexa play from the app. 

But fortunately, there’s a way to omit these words entirely yet still hear songs from Apple Music.

To do so, just continue to the next steps. 

#8: Head to the Default Services

Go back to your Amazon Alexa app’s home screen. And follow these steps:

1. Tap the More icon at the bottom-right corner. 
2. Head to Settings > Music & Podcasts.
3. Select Default Services.
4. Under the Music section, choose Apple Music.

#9: Enjoy your hands-free music experience

You can now ask Alexa to play from any artist or album.

And she’ll automatically do so from the Apple Music app.

That said, you don’t need to say “on Apple Music” whenever you ask her to play anything.

So try saying simple Alexa music commands like:

• “Alexa, play Chill radio.”
• “Alexa, play Justin Bieber.”
• “Alexa, continue playing my song.”

And enjoy your new hands-free music setup. 

How to use Alexa with Apple Music

To use Alexa with Apple Music, you must connect your Amazon Alexa app to your Apple Music account. After doing so, simply command Alexa to play any song or artist you want, followed by the words“on Apple Music.”

Now, if you don’t want to mention “Apple Music” every time you ask Alexa to play songs…

Choose the streaming platform as Alexa’s default music service. 

Read next: Is Alexa Compatible With Apple Music? 5 Features

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Why won’t Alexa play my Apple Music?

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Alexa won’t play your Apple music because your apps are outdated or your devices are glitching. Sometimes, this also happens if Alexa’s explicit filtering is ON. 

But fortunately, all of these are easy to fix.

That said, here are the… 

3 ways to fix Alexa not playing Apple Music

#1: Restart your devices

Like people, devices also get overwhelmed.

But unlike you and me…

Gadgets like your phone and Echo device don’t need a good night of sleep to recharge.

See, most of the time, all they need is a simple restart to recover.

So that’s what we’ll provide your Echo and phone now.

That said, let’s start with…

Restarting your phone

For Android users:

1. Ensure that your phone is ON.
2. Press your device’s power button for 5-10 seconds. 
3. From the power menu that appears, select Restart. 
4. Wait for your phone to turn OFF and ON again. 

For iOS users (iPhones X to latest): 

1. Press then hold 1 volume button and the power button simultaneously.
2. Let go when the power slider shows up. 
3. Drag this slider to the right.
4. Once the device turns OFF, wait for 1 minute. 
5. Press the power button on the right side of your device to turn it ON. 
6. Let go when the Apple icon shows up. 

After restarting your phone…

Restart your Echo device: 

1. Unplug the device from its power source.
2. Wait for 1 minute.
3. Plug the Echo into the wall outlet again.

And now that you’ve restarted your phone and Echo…

Try playing Apple Music through Alexa once more. 

Further reading: Echo Dot Won’t Reset: 6 Ways To Fix In 30 Sec.

#2: Update Alexa and your Apple Music

Not running the latest versions of your apps can also cause this issue.

That’s because updates are crucial in ensuring that:

• Your apps’ connections will always work correctly.
• The information and data on your accounts are secured. 
• Your apps are protected from the most common bugs and glitches. 

With that said, you should proceed with the quick steps to… 

Update your Apple Music app

For Android users:

1. Head to the Google PlayStore app.
2. Click your profile icon at the top-right corner.
3. Select Manage apps & devices. 
4. Click Manage. 
5. From the list, click the Apple Music app. 
6. Select the More (⋮) icon. 
7. Turn ON Enable auto-update. 

Note: If an update is available, the app will automatically install it. 

For iOS users: 

1. Open the App Store.
2. Click your profile icon in the upper-right corner of your screen. 
3. Scroll down to the AVAILABLE UPDATES section. 
4. Find the Apple Music app from the list.
5. Click the UPDATE button beside it. 

Note: If you can’t find Apple Music from the list, it’s already up to date. 

And now that you’ve updated your Apple Music app…

Follow the same steps to update the application of your Amazon Alexa.

And after updating both, try playing Apple Music through your Echo device again. 

#3: Set Apple Music as your default music service

When you ask Alexa to play music, does it play songs from other apps?

Then that means your AI’s default music service isn’t Apple Music. So you have to change it. 

“How do I do that?”

It’s easy. Simply follow these steps to…

Set Apple Music as Alexa’s default music provider: 

1. Turn ON your phone and head to the Amazon Alexa app.
2. Select the More option. 
3. From the list that appears, select Settings.
4. Tap the Music & Podcasts section.
5. Select Default Services. 
6. Under Music, click Apple Music. 

Now, try asking Alexa to play any song again.

And if she doesn’t play the track you want, then… 

Bonus: Turn OFF the explicit filtering mode

Alexa is a kind little fella.

So by default, she doesn’t like playing songs with foul language. And that’s because of her explicit filtering mode. 

“What’s that?”

Here’s a short clip that explains what this mode is for: 

That’s said, if some of your songs are playing, yet others aren’t, then you need to:

Turn OFF Alexa’s explicit filtering mode:

1. Turn ON your mobile device.
2. Head to the Amazon Alexa app. 
3. Click the More option at the bottom-right of the screen. 
4. Head to Music & Podcasts. 
5. Under the SETTINGS, select the Explicit Language Filter. 
6. Toggle OFF the Explicit Filter option. 

Pro tip: I recommend toggling ON the Voice Deactivation setting. This way, you can simply turn the Explicit Filter ON or OFF by using voice commands like: 

“Alexa, turn [OFF/ON] the explicit filter.”