With streaming music services like Spotify, Pandora and Apple Music taking over how we listen to tunes, iTunes is no longer a necessity for accessing music. While Apple’s streaming service used to require iTunes, that’s no longer the case. Here’s what you need to know about using Apple Music without iTunes.
Quick Answer
No, iTunes is not required for Apple Music. You can access Apple Music on iPhone, iPad, Apple TV and Android devices without using iTunes at all. The Apple Music app allows you to sign up for and use Apple Music directly on your device without iTunes.
Do I Need iTunes for Apple Music on iPhone or iPad?
You do not need iTunes for Apple Music on iPhone or iPad. The Apple Music app is pre-installed on iOS devices, allowing you to sign up for an Apple Music subscription, browse the music catalog, listen to Beats1 radio and access your music library directly within the app. Everything you need for Apple Music is integrated into the iOS app itself without any need for iTunes.
Signing Up for Apple Music on iPhone/iPad
Signing up for Apple Music is quick and easy on iPhone or iPad without iTunes:
- Open the Apple Music app (usually located in the bottom row of apps)
- Tap the button that says “Start Your Free Trial”
- Select the type of membership you want – Individual or Family
- Enter your Apple ID and password to start your free 3-month trial
That’s all there is to it! You can immediately start streaming music, creating playlists and personalizing recommendations – no iTunes required.
Using Apple Music Features on iPhone/iPad
Here are some of the key features you can use within the Apple Music app on your iPhone or iPad without iTunes:
- Listen to millions of songs – You have access to Apple Music’s full catalog of over 90 million songs to stream.
- Create your own playlists – Make customized playlists of your favorite songs and artists.
- Get personalized recommendations – The For You section provides music picks based on your listening preferences.
- Listen to radio stations – Apple Music Radio offers stations organized by genre as well as the live Beats 1 station.
- Download music for offline listening – Use the download button to save songs, albums or playlists to your device’s library for access without an internet connection.
Anything you would normally do with Apple Music through iTunes can be done directly in the Apple Music app on your iPhone or iPad instead.
Do I Need iTunes for Apple Music on Android?
iTunes is also not required for Apple Music on Android devices. Apple offers an Apple Music app for Android that allows you to sign up for Apple Music and use all of its features from any Android phone or tablet.
Getting Started with Apple Music on Android
Here is how to get started with Apple Music for Android:
- Download the Apple Music app from the Google Play Store on your Android device.
- Open the app and tap the button to start your free trial.
- Enter your Apple ID credentials to sign in or create a new Apple ID if you don’t have one.
- Select Individual or Family membership and accept the terms to start your 3-month free trial.
Once you complete these steps, you’ll have full access to Apple Music on your Android device without any need for iTunes.
Key Apple Music Features on Android
The Apple Music app for Android provides iPhone users and Android users with the same Apple Music experience. Key features accessible without iTunes include:
- Streaming Apple’s full music catalog – Listen to any of the 90+ million songs.
- Offline listening – Download your favorite music to listen without an internet connection.
- Custom playlists – Create and share your own song playlists.
- Curated music suggestions – Get personalized recommendations in the For You section.
- Live and genre radio – Enjoy stations like Hits, Country and Chill Vibes plus the Beats 1 live radio station.
You get the complete Apple Music package directly through the Android app without needing iTunes as an intermediary.
Do I Need iTunes for Apple Music on Mac?
iTunes was previously required to use Apple Music on a Mac computer. However, Apple split iTunes into separate Music, Podcasts and TV apps when they released macOS Catalina in 2019. As a result, the latest Mac operating systems no longer use iTunes and you can access Apple Music fully through the Music app instead.
How to Get Apple Music on Mac
Follow these instructions to start using Apple Music on a Mac:
- Open the Apple Music app, which replaced iTunes in macOS Catalina and newer.
- Click the button to start your free trial or sign in with your Apple ID.
- Choose Individual or Family membership and accept the terms.
- Use the Music app to browse Apple Music’s song catalog, create playlists, listen to radio stations and more.
That’s all you need to do to enjoy Apple Music on a Mac without iTunes! The Music app has all the same features and content as iTunes, allowing you to stream music, download songs for offline listening, get curated recommendations and listen to radio stations like Beats 1.
Apple Music Features on Mac
Key Apple Music features you can use on a Mac without iTunes include:
- Huge music catalog – Get access to over 90 million songs for streaming.
- Playlists – Create and share custom playlists of your favorite music.
- Personalized suggestions – Discover new music tailored to your tastes in the For You section.
- Download songs/albums – Download any music to listen offline when you don’t have an internet connection.
- Radio – Listen to Apple Music radio stations organized by genre.
The Music app provides the full Apple Music experience without the need for iTunes as a standalone program.
Do I Need iTunes for Apple Music on Windows PC?
iTunes was previously required for Apple Music on Windows computers. However, similar to the change on Mac, Apple no longer supports iTunes on Windows and has replaced it with a dedicated Apple Music app instead. So iTunes is no longer needed for Apple Music on Windows.
Getting Set Up with Apple Music for Windows
Here is how to start using Apple Music on a Windows PC:
- Download and install the Apple Music app for Windows from the Microsoft Store.
- Open the app and click to start your free trial or sign in with your Apple ID.
- Select Individual or Family membership and accept the terms.
- Use the Apple Music app to access Apple Music’s features like streaming songs, downloading music, creating playlists and listening to radio stations.
That’s all there is to it! The Apple Music app gives Windows users full access to Apple Music without iTunes.
Apple Music Capabilities on Windows
Key features you can enjoy in the Apple Music app for Windows include:
- Catalog streaming – Stream any of the 90 million+ songs.
- Playlists – Make and share playlists of your favorite songs and albums.
- Personalized For You recommendations – Discover great new music picked for your tastes.
- Downloads – Download music to your device’s library for offline listening.
- Radio – Listen to Apple Music radio stations like Hits and Chill Vibes.
The Apple Music app provides Windows users with the full set of Apple Music features and content without iTunes as a prerequisite.
Do I Need iTunes for Apple Music on Apple TV?
iTunes is not required for Apple Music on Apple TV. The Apple Music app comes pre-installed on Apple TV, allowing you to access Apple Music directly from your television.
Getting Started with Apple Music on Apple TV
Follow these simple steps to set up Apple Music on your Apple TV:
- On your Apple TV home screen, open the Apple Music app.
- Select “Start Free Trial” or sign in with your Apple ID if you already have an Apple Music membership.
- Choose Individual or Family membership.
- Accept the Apple Music terms to begin your free trial or access your existing membership.
That’s all you need to do to start enjoying Apple Music on your Apple TV without involving iTunes in the process.
Using Apple Music Features on Apple TV
With the Apple Music app, you can take advantage of key Apple Music features right from your TV:
- Huge streaming library – Get instant access to Apple Music’s catalog of over 90 million songs.
- Tailored recommendations – Discover great new music picks based on your tastes.
- Music videos – Watch music videos from your favorite artists.
- Curated playlists – Stream handpicked playlists for any mood or activity.
- Radio – Listen to Apple Music radio stations like Hip-Hop Hits and Country Hits.
The Apple Music app on Apple TV gives you full access to Apple Music content and features without iTunes.
Do I Need iTunes for Apple Music on the Web?
You do not need iTunes for Apple Music on the web. Apple offers access to Apple Music directly through a web browser at music.apple.com. You can sign up for Apple Music, browse the catalog, stream songs and access key features online without iTunes.
Accessing Apple Music through a Web Browser
Follow these steps to use Apple Music in a desktop web browser:
- Go to music.apple.com in any web browser.
- Click the button to start your free trial or sign in with your Apple ID.
- Select Individual or Family membership.
- Accept the terms to begin a 3-month free trial or access your current Apple Music subscription.
Once signed in, you can stream music, create playlists, listen to radio stations and more directly through the web without involving iTunes.
Apple Music Features Online
Key features available through the Apple Music web player include:
- Song streaming – Stream any song from Apple Music’s 90+ million song catalog.
- Playlists – Create and share custom playlists.
- Music discovery – Get recommendations matched to your tastes in the For You section.
- Radio – Listen to live Beats 1 radio or Apple Music stations organized by genre.
- Music videos – Watch popular music videos.
You can access the core Apple Music features you want directly through the web browser without needing the iTunes app.
Conclusion
iTunes is no longer required to use Apple Music. Apple provides dedicated Apple Music apps for iPhone, iPad, Android, Mac, Windows, Apple TV and the web that allow you to subscribe to Apple Music and access all its features without involving iTunes. So you can enjoy Apple’s huge music catalog, personalized recommendations, custom playlists, radio stations and more on all your devices with just an Apple Music membership – no iTunes needed.
