Apart from high audio quality and 100+ million tracks, Apple Music draws users with nifty features that keep their streaming experience exciting.
There’s the Apple Music Replay, for example, or a good old collaborative playlist.
In this article, we’ll get straight to the point and show you how to create an Apple Music collaborative playlist. Let’s go!
- How to Make a Collaborative Apple Music Playlist: TL;DR
- What Is a Collaborative Playlist on Apple Music?
- How to Make a Collaborative Playlist on Desktop + Mobile Devices
- How to Make a Collab Apple Music Playlist on Mobile
- How to Make an Existing Apple Music Playlist Collaborative
- How to Transfer Apple Music Collaborative Playlist
- How to Use Apple Music Collaborative Playlists
- Summary
How to Make a Collaborative Playlist on Apple Music: TL; DR
The fastest way to make a collaborative playlist on Apple Music is to open your playlist, hit the three dots, go to “Collaborate”, switch on “Approve Collaborators”, and share the invite with your friends. This works both for desktop/laptop and mobile devices and is verified by Apple.
What Is a Collaborative Playlist on Apple Music?
An Apple Music collaborative playlist is a standard playlist that allows multiple users to add, remove, and manage songs. Unlike personal or public playlists, which are controlled by a single user, collaborative playlists enable a shared musical experience where everyone involved can contribute.
Collaborative playlists are perfect for group activities like parties, road trips, or workout sessions, where a diverse range of music is often appreciated.
How to Make Collaborative Playlist on Apple Music: Desktop + Laptop
If you want to create a collaborative playlist, Apple Music makes the process a breeze. For desktop and laptop users, just open the Apple Music app and follow these four steps.
1. Create a New Playlist
- a) In the left sidebar, find and click on the “File” menu at the top of the screen.
- b) Select “New” and then “Playlist.”
- c) Name your new playlist and click “Create”.
- d) A new playlist will appear in the sidebar under “Playlists.”
2. (Optional) Add Songs to Your Playlist
- a) Navigate your music library or search for specific tracks you want to add.
- b) To add a song, drag it from your library and drop it into the new playlist.
- c) Alternatively, right-click on a song, select “Add to Playlist”, and choose your newly created playlist.
3. Make the Playlist Collaborative
- a) Click on the playlist you just created to open it.
- b) In the upper-right corner of the playlist window, click on the three-dot menu (More Options).
- c) Select “Collaborate” from the dropdown menu.
- d) Toggle the switch to “Approve Collaborators”.
- e) Click “Start Collaborating.
4. Invite Collaborators
- a) Once collaboration is enabled, you can invite others by sharing the link or sending an invitation directly from the app.
- b) Collaborators will need an Apple Music subscription to participate. Have fun!
How to Make a Collaborative Playlist on Apple Music on iPhone + Other Mobile Devices
Before starting, just make sure you have an active Apple Music subscription and an Apple Music app on your iPhone or other mobile device. This is the latest Apple Music Collaborative Playlist iOS 17 and later guide.
1. Create a New Playlist
- a) Open your Apple Music app and tap “Library” at the bottom of the screen.
- b) Select “Playlists”.
- c) Tap “New Playlist”.
- d) Enter a name for your new playlist and click “Create”.
2. Add Songs to Your Playlist
- a) You can either browse your library or use the search function to find specific songs.
- b) To add a song, tap the “…” icon next to it and go to “Add to Playlist”.
- c) Select the playlist to add the song to.
3. Make the Playlist Collaborative
- a) Open the playlist you created from your Library.
- b) Tap on the three-dot menu (More Options) in the upper-right corner of the screen.
- c) Select “Collaborate”.
- d) Toggle the switch next to “Approve Collaborators” and tap “Start Collaborating” to enable collaboration.
e) Choose how you’d like to share the playlist link, such as through Messages, Mail, or other sharing options available on your device.
4. Invite Collaborators
a) After enabling collaboration, share the link with friends or family members you want to invite.
b) They will need an Apple Music subscription to add or remove songs.
c) As the creator, you can manage the playlist by monitoring additions and removals.
Related article: How to Make a Collaborative Playlist on Spotify
How to Make an Existing Apple Music Playlist Collaborative
There is very little difference in making a new collaborative playlist on Apple Music and making your existing playlist collaborative. Essentially, you just start at step 3 in our desktop/laptop or mobile guide.
Let’s break it down nonetheless.
- 1. Open the playlist you want to make collaborative.
- 2. Hit the three dots symbol (More Options).
- 3. Select “Collaborate”.
- 4. Turn on the “Approve Collaborators” toggle switch.
- 5. Go to “Start Collaborating”.
- 6. Share the invite link with your friends using email, link, or any available option that suits you.
How to Transfer Apple Music Collaborative Playlist to Spotify (And Other Streaming Services)
To transfer or share your Apple Music collaborative playlist on Spotify and other music streaming services, simply use Tune My Music. The first 500 tracks you transfer are on the house. This is how it’s done.
- 1. Visit the Tune My Music site and hit “Let’s Start”.
- 2. Set Apple Music as your source. Hit “Connect” when asked.
- 3. Sign in using your Apple ID.
- 4. Click the “Allow” button.
- 5. Select the playlist you wish to transfer and click “Choose Destination”.
- 6. Set the destination.
- 7. Initiate the transfer, and that’s a wrap!
Related: How to Transfer Apple Music Playlists to a New Account
How to Use an Apple Music Collaborative Playlist
In case you’re wondering about the point of Apple Music collaborative playlists and what you can actually do with this feature, here’s a list of ways you can put them to use.
- Party Planning: Having a party? Create a collaborative playlist and invite your guests to add their favorite songs. This way, you’ll have a mix of tracks everyone loves, making the atmosphere lively and interactive.
- Road Trips: Before you start your travels, you can build a playlist with contributions from all your travel buddies. Everyone can add their top tracks, ensuring the music stays fresh and enjoyable throughout the journey.
- Workout Sessions: For group gym motivation, you can put together a high-energy playlist with friends. By adding their favorite workout jams, you’ll have an electrifying soundtrack that keeps everyone moving.
- Family Gatherings: When the time comes for family get-togethers, a shared playlist where each member adds their favorite tunes can make the event more enjoyable. It’s a great way to blend different musical tastes and create a fun, nostalgic vibe.
- Themed Events: Hosting a themed event like a holiday party or birthday bash? Create a playlist that fits the theme and invite others to contribute. It sets the mood and makes the occasion even more special.
- Discover New Music: If you and your friends can’t wait to tell everyone their favorite new tracks, start a collab playlist focused on discovering new artists and songs.
- Daily Commute: You can make your daily commute more enjoyable by collaborating with friends or family on a playlist. A mix of everyone’s favorite songs can turn a boring ride into a more pleasant experience.
- Romantic Mixes: For couples, creating a playlist together featuring songs that are meaningful to both of you can be a sweet gesture. It’s a lovely way to share and relive special memories through music.
- Study Sessions: If you’re studying with friends, put together a playlist of cool lo-fi beats that help everyone stay focused. Each person can add tracks that help them concentrate.
How to Do Collaborative Playlist on Apple Music: Summary
So, can you make a collaborative playlist on Apple Music? You most certainly can!
Again, the fastest way to make an Apple Music collaborative playlist is to open the playlist, click the three dots, go to “Collaborate”, turn on “Approve Collaborators”, and share the playlist whichever way suits you.
If you want more cool tips to make your experience at streaming services better, head over to our How To Section. Stay safe and have a good one!