Guide
How to Upload Music to Apple Music
How to get your music on Apple Music — distribution, Apple Music for Artists claiming, and promoting your catalog on Apple's platform.
Apple Music receives music through distributors. After delivery, you claim your Apple Music for Artists page to verify your profile, access analytics and manage how your catalog appears.
Steps
1 Deliver via a distributor
Upload your lossless masters, metadata and artwork to your distributor with Apple Music in the delivery network. Most distributors deliver to Apple automatically.
- Apple supports lossless and Dolby Atmos — deliver the best master you have
- Set your release date 2–4 weeks ahead
2 Claim Apple Music for Artists
Sign up at artists.apple.com and request access using your Apple ID. Verify with your catalog metadata to get access to your page.
- Add artwork and bio to complete your profile
- Access unlocks detailed analytics
3 Understand Apple's analytics
Use the dashboard for plays, listener geography and engagement. Apple's data helps you understand where your audience is strongest.
- Compare per-song performance
- Use insights to plan touring and promotion
4 Promote your catalog
Share your Apple Music links, request inclusion in radio features, and use pre-add/pre-save tools where available for upcoming releases.
- Apple Music links are ideal for iOS-heavy audiences
- Keep your artist page fresh with regular releases
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Apple Music for Artists free?
Yes, free for artists with music on Apple Music.
How long does Apple take?
Similar to other platforms — a few days to two weeks. Schedule early.
Does Apple pay more per stream?
Apple has historically reported higher per-stream payouts than some ad-supported tiers, though rates vary.