Apple Music is a streaming music service developed by Apple that gives users access to over 90 million songs in its catalog. It allows users to stream, download, and share music seamlessly across all their Apple devices. Apple Music also has human-curated playlists, global live radio station Beats 1, and a social platform for artists to interact with fans.
The Apple Music catalog includes over 90 million songs from major and independent record labels like Sony, Universal, and Warner. It has an extensive collection of hit songs, albums, playlists, music videos, remixes, live performances, and more from a diverse range of artists across many genres. While not every single song is available, the catalog is quite substantial and continues to grow over time as Apple secures licensing deals.
Step 1: Find the Album
To request an album on Apple Music, you first need to find the album you want to request. The easiest way is to use the Apple Music search bar. Open the Apple Music app on your iPhone and tap the search icon at the bottom of the screen. This will bring up the search bar.
In the search bar, type the name of the album you want to request. Make sure to type the album name and artist exactly as they would appear officially. For example, to find Beyonce’s “Lemonade” album, you would search for “Lemonade Beyonce”.
As you type, Apple Music will display suggested results. Tap the album name when you see the correct match to go directly to the album page. If you don’t see the exact album, try searching for just the artist name or album name without the artist to browse the available listings.
Using the Apple Music search bar is the fastest way to locate the album you want to request. With just a few taps, you can find any album in the vast Apple Music catalog.
Step 2: View the Album Page
Once you have found the album you want to request, tap on the album artwork to open the album page. The album page shows important details about the release, including:
- The album tracks
- Release date
- Genre
- Record label
- Any featured artists
Scrolling down the page will also show you recommendations for similar albums Apple Music thinks you might enjoy. Spending some time looking through the album page can help ensure this is the specific release you want to formally request.
For example, some albums have multiple versions released in different years or with bonus tracks. The album page makes it easy to identify the exact album release you want before submitting your request.
Step 3: Tap the Three Dots
To request an album on Apple Music, you first need to locate and tap the 3-dot menu icon on the album page. This icon is located in the upper right corner of the screen.
Tapping this icon will open a dropdown menu with various options, including the “Request Album” option we need.
Here is an example of where to find the 3-dot menu on an album page in Apple Music:
“Ngl loving the new update and the features,” r/AppleMusic, 25 Oct. 2020, www.reddit.com/r/AppleMusic/comments/jjn1t9/ngl_loving_the_new_update_and_the_features/. Accessed 15 Mar. 2023.
Step 4: Select ‘Request Album’
Once the three dot menu is open, you will see the option to ‘Request Album.’ Tap on this option. This opens the request album popup.
Source: https://certsimple.com/how-to-request-songs-on-apple-music/
Step 5: Enter Your Request
In the request field, explain why you want Apple Music to add the specific album. Provide relevant details like the artist name, album title, genre, and release date if known. You can elaborate on why you think the album would be a good addition to the Apple Music library and appeal to listeners.
For example, you may write: “Please add the album ‘Blue Sky Day’ by John Smith released in 2010. I’m a huge fan of acoustic folk music and John Smith is one of the top artists in that genre. However, his album ‘Blue Sky Day’ is missing from Apple Music. As an avid subscriber, I would love to be able to stream this excellent album and believe many other subscribers would enjoy it too.”
The more details you provide, the better understanding Apple Music will have of your request. Giving reasons why the album should be added helps convince them to honor your request. Referencing the artist, genre, and your own interest shows this is an album you and other subscribers would engage with if it was available. Put some thought into your request text to get the best results.
Step 6: Tap ‘Request Album’
Once you have entered your request details and message, the final step is to actually submit the request to Apple Music. Simply tap the ‘Request Album’ button at the bottom of the screen.
Tapping this button sends your request directly to the Apple Music team for review. This is the last step you need to take to officially ask Apple Music to add the album you want. After submitting the request, you will see a confirmation message that your request was received.
According to an Apple support thread (https://discussions.apple.com/thread/6691814), this final tap submits your request into Apple’s system where it will be processed. So make sure you provide all the necessary details before completing this last step.
Checking Request Status
Once you have submitted your request for an album on Apple Music, you can check the status of the request to see if it has been approved or rejected. To check the status:
- Go to reportaproblem.apple.com and sign in with your Apple ID.
- Choose “Check Status of Claims.”
- Select “Apple Media Services” and then “Request Album.”
- You will then see the status of your most recent album request.
The status will show as “Pending” after submitting the request. It can take up to several weeks for Apple to review and approve album requests. Keep checking back to see when the status changes from “Pending” to “Completed” for approved requests. If the request is rejected, the status will change to “Rejected.”
If Request is Rejected
There are a few main reasons why Apple Music may reject an album request:
- The album is already available on Apple Music. Check to make sure the album you requested hasn’t recently been added to Apple’s catalog (https://discussions.apple.com/thread/252203774).
- Licensing restrictions prevent Apple from distributing the album. Some artists or labels do not allow their music on Apple Music, so requests for those albums will be rejected.
- The request contains inaccurate metadata or details. Double check all the artist names, album title, and other request details are correct before re-submitting (https://discussions.apple.com/thread/255383613).
If your request was rejected, first verify the details are accurate. Then submit a new request for the album through the Apple Music app. Be sure to provide specific, detailed information about the album. Persistence is key – don’t get discouraged if the album isn’t added right away. With enough requests, Apple will likely obtain the licensing to distribute it.
Conclusion
Requesting an album on Apple Music is a straightforward process that allows you to ask Apple to add albums that are currently not available in their catalog. To recap the steps:
1. Search for the artist or album and confirm it is not currently available on Apple Music.
2. View the artist or related artist’s page and tap the three dots in the upper right corner.
3. Select “Request Album” from the menu.
4. Enter details on the album you want added and submit the request form.
Apple aims to respond to requests within 1-2 weeks. You can check back on the status of your requests under Account Settings. If your request gets rejected, don’t get discouraged! Try requesting again in a few months as their available catalog is always growing.
A few extra tips: only request full, commercially released albums rather than unofficial recordings or live shows. Providing as much detail as possible, like album name and year, helps expedite your request. And be patient – even if an album isn’t available now, it may be added in the future.
