How to Get Your Music on Apple Music
For Artists
You get music on Apple Music by uploading it through a digital distributor like DistroKid, TuneCore, or CD Baby. You cannot upload directly to Apple Music. The distributor handles file formatting, metadata delivery, and payment processing. Once uploaded, your release typically goes live within 1 to 5 business days, though scheduling 2 to 4 weeks ahead is recommended for editorial consideration.
Apple Music is the second-largest streaming platform globally, behind Spotify. It pays artists roughly $0.007 to $0.01 per stream, which is higher than Spotify's average rate. The platform reaches listeners in over 165 countries and has strong penetration in markets where Apple devices dominate, particularly the US, Japan, and Western Europe.
Getting your music on Apple Music is straightforward if you have a distributor and your files are formatted correctly. The process where most artists run into problems is metadata and artwork specs. Apple Music has stricter requirements than Spotify for cover art and will reject releases that do not meet them. This guide walks through the full process. For the broader distribution picture, see the Music Distribution Guide.
Step-by-Step: Getting on Apple Music
Step 1: Choose a Distributor
If you do not already have a distributor, pick one that delivers to Apple Music. Every major distributor does: DistroKid, TuneCore, CD Baby, AWAL, UnitedMasters, Ditto, Amuse, and Stem all include Apple Music in their standard platform list. For help choosing, see How to Plan a Music Release Step by Step.
Step 2: Prepare Your Audio Files
Apple Music requires lossless audio. The minimum accepted format is 16-bit/44.1kHz WAV or AIFF. If you have a 24-bit master, Apple Music supports it and will use it for their lossless and spatial audio tiers. Your distributor converts to the appropriate formats for delivery, but you should upload the highest quality master you have.
Spec | Requirement |
|---|---|
Format | WAV or AIFF (lossless) |
Bit depth | 16-bit minimum, 24-bit preferred |
Sample rate | 44.1kHz minimum, up to 192kHz supported |
Channels | Stereo (2-channel). Dolby Atmos for spatial audio is optional. |
Do not upload MP3 or AAC files to your distributor. These are lossy formats and will either be rejected or result in lower audio quality on the platform. Start from your final mastered WAV.
Step 3: Prepare Your Cover Art
Apple Music is pickier about artwork than most platforms. Releases have been rejected for text that is too small to read, blurry images, and artwork that does not match the release title. Get the specs right the first time.
Spec | Requirement |
|---|---|
Dimensions | 3000 x 3000 pixels minimum (4000 x 4000 recommended) |
Format | JPG or PNG |
Color mode | RGB (not CMYK) |
File size | Under 10 MB |
Text | Must be legible at thumbnail size |
Apple also rejects artwork that contains URLs, social media handles, pricing information, or references to other platforms. No "Available on Spotify" text. No QR codes. For the full spec rundown, see Album Artwork Guidelines.
Step 4: Enter Your Metadata
Metadata is the information attached to your release: title, artist name, genre, credits, release date, and language. Accuracy matters. Apple Music uses metadata to categorize your release, surface it in search, and connect it to your artist profile.
Pay attention to artist name consistency. If your distributor has your name as "J. Smith" but your Apple Music profile says "John Smith," you may end up with a split profile. Two pages for the same artist, each with partial streaming history. Fix this before uploading by checking how your name appears on Apple Music and matching it exactly in your distributor's metadata fields.
Step 5: Set Your Release Date and Upload
Upload to your distributor at least 2 to 4 weeks before your intended release date. Apple Music processing typically takes 1 to 5 business days, but scheduling early gives you a buffer for rejections and lets you pitch to Apple Music editorial.
Apple Music for Artists lets you pitch for editorial playlist consideration, similar to Spotify for Artists. The pitch window opens once your release is in their system, typically 1 to 3 weeks before the release date. See Apple Music Artist Profile Setup for how to claim your profile and access the pitching tool.
Step 6: Verify Your Release
After your release goes live, check it on Apple Music. Confirm the artwork displays correctly, the artist profile links properly, track order is right, and lyrics appear if you submitted them. If anything is wrong, contact your distributor to submit a correction. Metadata changes on Apple Music can take 24 to 72 hours to process.
Apple Music-Specific Features to Set Up
Animated artwork. Apple Music supports animated album art (short looping video attached to your cover). Not all distributors support this feature. If yours does, an animated cover adds visual distinction in the listener's library.
Lyrics. Apple Music displays time-synced lyrics. If your distributor supports lyric submission, include them. Tracks with lyrics get higher engagement on the platform because listeners interact with the lyrics view.
Spatial audio (Dolby Atmos). If your music is mixed in Dolby Atmos, Apple Music supports spatial audio playback. This is a premium feature that Apple actively promotes. Artists with Atmos mixes may receive additional editorial visibility. Atmos mixing requires a specific production setup and is not standard for most independent releases, but it is worth knowing about if your producer or engineer has the capability.
Common Mistakes
Uploading compressed audio. Your distributor needs WAV or AIFF. If you only have MP3s, go back to your producer or engineer and get the lossless master. Distributing compressed files means your music sounds worse on a platform that supports lossless playback.
Artwork rejection. The most common Apple Music rejection reason. Double-check dimensions, text legibility, and prohibited elements before uploading. Rejections add 3 to 7 days to your timeline while you fix and resubmit.
Not claiming your Apple Music for Artists profile. Without it, you cannot pitch to editorial, view analytics, or customize your profile. Claim it as soon as your first release is live. If you have the right tools to manage your career, claiming platform profiles is a one-time setup step that pays off permanently.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get on Apple Music?
Most distributors deliver to Apple Music within 1 to 5 business days. Schedule your upload 2 to 4 weeks early for editorial pitch eligibility and a buffer for potential rejections.
Does Apple Music pay more than Spotify?
Per-stream, yes. Apple Music pays roughly $0.007 to $0.01 per stream compared to Spotify's $0.003 to $0.005. Total revenue depends on where your audience listens, not just per-stream rate.
Can I upload directly to Apple Music without a distributor?
No. Apple Music does not accept direct uploads from artists. You need a distributor to deliver your music to the platform.
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