You can listen to Apple Music on Apple TV in two ways. Open the Music app on the Apple TV and play from Apple Music, or stream from your iPhone or iPad with AirPlay by tapping the AirPlay button in the Music app and choosing your Apple TV.
This guide covers streaming music from an iPhone or iPad with AirPlay, subscribing to and using the Music app on Apple TV, sharing a subscription with family, canceling, and fixing AirPlay connections. It is based on Apple’s Use AirPlay to stream audio and video to Apple TV 4K and Subscribe to Apple Music on Apple TV 4K.
While listening, you can also choose what appears on the television. Our Apple TV screen saver guide explains its music and podcast behavior and available visual styles.
How to Stream Music From Your iPhone to Apple TV
- Make sure your iPhone and Apple TV are on the same network. Apple says they may need to be.
- Open the Music app on your iPhone and start a song.
- Tap the AirPlay button.
- Choose your Apple TV from the list of devices.
Result: The music plays through your Apple TV. Apple also describes a Control Center route: swipe to open Control Center, tap the AirPlay button, select your Apple TV, and tap play if the audio isn’t already playing.
Stream from a Mac
Apple says to click the Sound icon in the Mac menu bar and choose the name of your Apple TV.
How to Use the Music App on Apple TV
- Open the Music app on your Apple TV.
- If you don’t have Apple Music yet, go to Home at the top of the screen, select the subscription button for the plan you want, and follow the onscreen steps.
- Browse or search for music and select a song to play.
Result: Apple Music plays directly on the Apple TV. Apple says plans include Student, Individual and Family, and you can also bundle Apple Music with other services through Apple One.
- Family Sharing: Apple says you can share Apple Music or Apple One with up to five other family members, and they don’t need to do anything; it’s available the first time they open the Music app.
- Cancel: go to Settings > Profiles and Accounts > your profile > Subscriptions, select the subscription, and follow the onscreen steps.
If AirPlay Isn’t Working
Apple says that to see which devices can stream to your Apple TV, go to Settings > Remotes and Devices > Remote App and Devices on the Apple TV. To remove one, select it and choose Forget This Device. Also check that AirPlay is turned on, as covered in our guide to turning AirPlay on or off on Apple TV.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an Apple Music subscription to use AirPlay?
AirPlay streams whatever audio is playing on your iPhone, iPad or Mac to the Apple TV. To play Apple Music’s catalog in the Music app on the Apple TV itself, Apple says you subscribe from the Home tab.
Can I get Apple Music on a TV without an Apple TV?
Yes, on supported devices. Apple says you download the Apple Music app from your smart TV, game console or streaming device’s app store, then sign in, for example by scanning a QR code with your phone. You need an Apple Music subscription. See Apple’s Get the Apple Music app on your smart TV.
More Apple TV Guides
- How to turn AirPlay on or off on Apple TV
- How to use AirPlay to view an iPhone picture on your Apple TV
- How to connect Apple TV to Wi-Fi
- How to restart or reset Apple TV
Like podcasts? See how to subscribe to a podcast on the iPhone.
If your Apple TV is going on an older TV, here’s how to connect an Apple TV to a TV without HDMI.
Matthew Burleigh is the founder, head writer, and editor of Solve Your Tech, which he launched in 2012. He has written technology tutorials since 2008 and worked in IT since 2003, including small-business support, IT management, and consulting. He holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science from Arizona State University.
Matthew writes practical guides for Windows, iPhone and iPad, Microsoft Office, Outlook, Google apps, and Android. Solve Your Tech’s guides are tested on current devices or checked against official product documentation, with clear steps, sources, and update dates.
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