Apple Music for Artists gives independent musicians control over their artist page, team access and performance data. Claiming the page is free, but your music must already be live and Apple must verify your connection to the artist. This guide explains how to claim Apple Music for Artists, what to prepare and which tools are worth checking after approval.
Apple’s support information was checked on 13 October 2026. Features and review times can change, so use the linked Apple pages if your screen looks different.
What you need before you start
You need an Apple Account and an artist page with music already available on Apple Music. Apple says your content must have been live for at least five business days before you can claim the page. You must also be listed as the primary artist on an album or release. Being a featured artist alone is not enough for a successful claim.
Check the artist name, artwork and release details before applying. If your music has landed on the wrong page or your name is incorrect, contact your distributor first. The Hubb music metadata checklist can help you spot common delivery mistakes before another release goes live.
The Hubb music metadata checklist
1. Find the correct artist page
Open Apple Music or the iTunes Store and search for your artist name or one of your releases. Open the correct artist page or album, choose Share and copy the link. Do not rely on the name alone, especially if another artist uses the same one. Check the cover art, song titles and primary artist credit.
Save that link somewhere easy to reach. You will paste it into the Apple Music for Artists application to find the page you want to claim.
2. Request artist access
Go to the Apple Music for Artists website or use the iOS app, sign in with your Apple Account and choose Request Artist Access. Paste the artist or album link into the Find an Artist field. Select one of your albums when asked so Apple can confirm that you are claiming the intended page.
Apple Music for Artists: claim your artist page
3. Choose the right role
Select the role that accurately describes your connection to the page. Apple allows artists and artist managers to make the initial claim. Label representatives should work with the artist or manager, who can review the request or invite them later.
Use an account you can keep secure and access long term. The first approved artist or manager receives Admin access, so avoid using a temporary email address or an account controlled by somebody who may leave the project.
4. Give Apple enough evidence
Apple verifies your identity or relationship to the artist. Complete every requested field and connect relevant distributor or social accounts when available. Add your official website and public social profiles if they clearly match the artist name, images and releases.
Consistency helps. Your website, artist bio, profile images and social pages should make it easy to see that the application is genuine. Do not invent achievements or add unrelated links. If your written identity needs work, use The Hubb artist bio guide to prepare a short, factual description.
The Hubb guide to writing an artist bio
5. Check the application status
After applying, the status appears as Pending in Apple Music for Artists, and updates are sent by email. Apple’s current FAQ says to contact support if more than ten business days pass without an update. Check the inbox and junk folder connected to your Apple Account before chasing the application.
Do not send repeated claims for the same page while one is pending. If Apple asks for more information, answer with clear evidence from the same artist identity.
Apple Music for Artists account FAQs
6. Give your team the correct access
Once approved, review who can enter the account. Apple Music for Artists has three main roles. Admins can view analytics, promote content, update the page and manage users. Analysts can view data and use promotion tools. Profile Editors can manage artist images, lyrics and artist details.
Give each person only the access they need. A manager who controls the whole account may need Admin access, while somebody checking release data may only need Analyst access. Remove former team members promptly and keep at least one trusted Admin account secure.
Apple Music for Artists: manage users and access
7. Use the page after approval
Claiming the page is the start, not the final job. Add an approved artist image, check your profile details and review the music attached to the page. Apple also allows eligible users to add a logo, choose button colours and spotlight an album, music video, artist playlist or Apple Music Radio content. A Spotlight can be scheduled for up to 18 months, according to Apple’s current guidance.
Apple Music for Artists: personalise your artist page
Read the analytics without chasing every number
Apple Music for Artists reports Plays, Average Daily Listeners, purchases, Shazam Count, Radio Spins, Milestones and video views. Apple records a Play when somebody starts a song and listens for more than 30 seconds. Data is shown in UTC, refreshes daily and may take 48 hours to appear.
Use Trends to compare songs, releases, locations and listener information. Places can show activity by country, region and city. Radio Spins covers tracked terrestrial and digital stations, while Shazam Count shows when people used Shazam to identify your music. These figures can guide promotion, but they do not replace royalty reports from your distributor.
Apple Music for Artists: understand your analytics
The Hubb Spotify analytics guide
A simple monthly Apple Music routine
- Check that new releases appear on the correct artist page.
- Review your artist image, links and featured content.
- Compare Plays, listeners, Shazam Count and Radio Spins.
- Note any cities or countries showing sustained interest.
- Remove access for anyone no longer working with you.
- Choose one useful action for the next release campaign.
Keep a short record instead of refreshing the dashboard every day. For example, a rise in Shazam activity around one city could justify a local post or a closer look at radio data. A strong song in one market might influence your next advert, press pitch or live plan, but wait for a pattern before spending money.
Claim the page before your next campaign
The practical way to claim Apple Music for Artists is to get your music live, wait the required five business days, use the correct artist link and provide strong identity evidence. Once approved, protect the account, give your team suitable roles and use the data to make calmer release decisions. Build the claim into your release planning now, rather than discovering the page is unmanaged when your next single arrives.
