Emily Bennett
How to Use SharePlay with Apple Music on iPhone
This guide will walk you through how to use SharePlay with Apple Music on your iPhone starting with iOS 18. Learn how to play and control music together with friends, even if they don’t have an Apple Music subscription. By following these steps, you’ll be able to enhance your music experience and enjoy shared listening with others.
Step 1: Ensure the Right Setup
Before starting a SharePlay session, make sure of the following:
- The host must have an active Apple Music subscription.
- Connect the host iPhone to a HomePod, Apple TV, CarPlay, or a Bluetooth speaker.
- Both the host’s and guest’s iPhones must be updated to the latest version of iOS and have Bluetooth enabled.
Step 2: Start Playing Music
On the host iPhone, follow these steps to begin:
- Open Apple Music and start playing a song.
- Tap the SharePlay button in the Now Playing screen.
- Tap the QR code that appears.
Step 3: Join the SharePlay Session as a Guest
The guest can now join the SharePlay session. Here’s how:
- Open the Camera app on the guest iPhone and scan the QR code shown on the host iPhone.
- After scanning, tap the music link that appears on the guest iPhone.
- Tap Connect and wait for the host to approve the connection.
If it’s your first time using Apple Music, you’ll be prompted to create a username. Once you’re approved by the host, you can access the SharePlay session.
Step 4: Control Music within SharePlay
As a guest, here’s how to control the music:
- Tap the mini player to open the Now Playing screen.
- From here, access the SharePlay session, control playback, and add songs to the queue.
- To browse the full Apple Music catalog, swipe down on the handle to exit Now Playing.
Find a song, tap the more button next to it, then choose either Play Next or Add to Queue.
Step 5: Managing the Music Queue
To view or modify the current music queue:
- Tap the mini player, then tap the playing button in the bottom right corner.
Step 6: Leaving the SharePlay Session
If you wish to leave the session at any time:
- On the guest iPhone, tap the SharePlay button at the bottom of the screen.
- Tap Leave to exit.
The host can end the session for everyone by tapping End at any time.
Extra Tips & Common Issues
Here are some additional tips to ensure a smooth experience:
- Make sure both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network for better performance.
- Check for software updates regularly to avoid compatibility issues.
- If you face problems joining a session, ensure the QR code is scanned properly and that the host has the correct settings.
Conclusion
With these steps, you can easily share music with your friends using SharePlay and Apple Music on your iPhone. Enjoy creating memories through music, whether it’s a party or a casual hangout.