When you encounter an Apple Music subscription not working, it can be very frustrating. Luckily, we can fix it!
Apple Music is their default music app, just like Spotify. It’s incredibly popular and can be prone to account issues and errors.
We’ve worked on the steps to fix it so you can continue to enjoy your favorite music on your devices.
Let’s find out how to fix Apple Music!
If your Apple Music stops working, try the simplest yet effective method first. Restart your app to clear memory and resolve conflicts. Also, check if the server is done. If these fail, make sure you have the latest versions of your app and device.
Before we move on to the actual steps of fixing a non-working Apple Music subscription, let us help you understand why such a problem occurs.
Why Is My Apple Music Subscription Not Working
If Apple Music suddenly stops working, a handful of things can cause it. It is possible the server is down.
In this case, all users in your area experience the same issue. Check Twitter if there are real-time outages for Apple Music.
App and account malfunctions can also cause this issue.
1. Connectivity Issues
Apple Music requires WiFi or mobile data to work. You may not have downloaded your songs or albums, which means they’re streamed.
Poor Internet service or no WiFi at all could be the culprit.
2. App Malfunction
Sometimes, apps glitch. It is possible your phone’s OS is unstable. Or, you updated your OS but not your Apple Music app.
3. Inactive Subscription
It is possible your Apple Music subscription expired or someone else with access to it canceled it.
Make sure to check the status of your subscription to find out if this is the reason your app stops working.
4. Not Synced Properly
You may have failed to turn on the Sync Library for all your devices. This is the case if your Apple Music stops working on only some of your devices.
These are possible reasons your Apple Music subscription is not working. Now, let us proceed to the solutions.
How to Fix Apple Music Subscription Not Working
This may seem obvious, but if you encounter an Apple Music subscription not working, you should check if the service is active.
If your subscription expires or is canceled, you won’t be able to use the app.
One of the easiest and most effective solutions to this error is to restart your phone. This will allow your phone to clear out its memory and allow your Apple Music to load correctly.
If a simple restart doesn’t work, move to the next step.
Solution #1: Check the Status of Your Apple Music Subscription
It’s possible that you’re looking at an account subscription error. There are different causes of how this can happen since you have likely set it up for automatic billing.
However, it doesn’t mean that your subscription will keep on going without any issues.
One of the things you need to look out for here is if your card gets declined.
Your subscription will be stopped, and you’ll need to sort out your payment options.
In case this happens, you want to check your subscription status so you’ll know the next steps to take.
Here’s how to check your Apple Music subscription:
- Open your phone’s Settings.
- Go to iTunes & App Store.
- Select your Apple ID to open your profile.
- Tap on Subscriptions, then select Apple Music.
- Choose View subscription status.
Note: If your subscription is inactive, you’re likely facing a payment issue, and you’re going to need to sort it out.
If it’s active, continue to the other solutions.
Solution #2: Force Close the Apple Music App
If your Apple Music subscription stops working, it’s possible that you’re looking at an app issue. The good news with this is that it’s going to be a simple fix.
The app is not able to access your account information from the servers, so it’s not showing you anything.
Once you refresh the app, it will load your current information with your current Apple Music subscription.
Here’s how to force close the Apple Music app on your phone:
- Open the App Switcher on your phone by swiping up.
- Find the Apple Music app preview card.
- Select the Apple Music preview card and swipe it up.
- Relaunch the app by selecting it from the App Library.
Note: You won’t usually need to do this, but since it’s an easy enough process, we recommend that you attempt this first.
Solution #3: Sign Out of Your Apple Account and Sign Back In
A possible cause of why your Apple Music subscription is not showing up on your device is there is a connection issue.
Your information from the Apple servers is not loaded properly, and your account is not reflecting properly.
You’re going to need to force your device to grab your latest information from Apple’s servers.
To make sure that your account details will be requested correctly, you want to sign out of your Apple account, then sign back in.
Here’s how to log out and log back into your Apple account:
- Go to the Settings app on your phone.
- Select your name to open your profile.
- Choose Media and Purchases.
- Select Sign Out.
- Sign back in using your Apple ID.
Note: We recommend that you restart your device after signing back in.
Solution #4: Switch On Music Library Sync on Your Device
If your Apple Music subscription not working on Mac, you’re likely looking at a syncing error.
Logging into Apple Music on your Mac means that you’re also using your account on your iPhone.
You’re going to need to sync your Apple Music on your Mac to get it up and running without any issues.
Here’s how to turn on Library Sync on your Mac:
- Go to the Music app on your Mac.
- Select Preferences.
- Choose the General tab.
- Check the Sync Library box.
Tip: You want to make sure that you’re using the same Apple ID on all devices you want to use the same Apple Music content.
Solution #5: Verify Your Apple Music Student Subscription
Apple offers their Apple Music subscription at a steep discount if you’re a verified student.
If your Apple Music student subscription not working, you want to check your student status on your account.
You simply need to verify your student status, so you’re eligible to get Apple Music at an incredibly low rate.
Here’s how to verify your student status:
- Go to your phone’s Settings, then select your name to open your profile.
- Tap on Subscriptions, then Apple Music Membership.
- Select Verify your student status.
- Sign in to your school’s portal on the UNiDAYS website.
- Complete the verification process.
Note: You’re only allowed up to 48 months with a student subscription, so make sure that you’re within these limits.
Solution #6: Clear Your Device’s History and Website Data
Accessing your Apple Music subscription and account details mean that you’re also using your phone’s built-in browser.
Even though it might not appear that you’re using it, some of your data and information are saved on your phone.
If your Apple Music subscription is not working and you’re unable to listen to your playlists, it’s likely that there is something wrong with your phone’s history and data.
You can clear these files to get your apps to work again successfully.
Here’s how to clear your phone’s history and data:
- Open your phone’s Settings.
- Select Safari.
- Scroll down and navigate to the Clear History and Data option.
- Tap on it and confirm your action.
Note: This will clear up browsing history, cookies, and other data on your device.
You can reinstall the Apple Music app if none of these steps work out for you.
This will clear unnecessary files from your phone and get it to work the next time you launch it.
You can also contact Apple customer support to ask for additional assistance regarding your account and subscription.
Read Next: How to Get Netflix on Apple Watch?
Bottom Line
If your Apple Music subscription not working, you can follow these proven solutions so you can listen to your favorite songs.
It can be frustrating if you can’t use something that you’re paying for, but these troubleshooting steps should help you resolve it in no time.
Finn Wheatley holds a Master’s Degree in Computer Science from UCL, London. He helped small data science consultancy firms, helping large corporations to grow their data capabilities, deploy advanced machine learning-based analytics and troubleshoot tech-related issues. Check out more about him here.