App Store guideline 4.5.2: Apple Music
Apps that use MusicKit or Apple Music must follow rules on playback, payment, licensing and data. Unofficial explanation, not affiliated with Apple. Apple's text prevails.
- Guideline
- 4.5.2 Apple Music
- Section
- 4. Design
- This page
- Unofficial explanation, not affiliated with Apple. Apple's text prevails.
- Version
- Guidelines last updated October 16, 2026
- Official source
- Apple's App Review Guidelines
What it means
- (i) MusicKit on iOS lets an app or game play Apple Music and the user's local library natively. The user has to start any Apple Music stream and must be able to control it with ordinary media controls like play, pause and skip. The app may not charge for, or indirectly earn from, access to Apple Music, whether through in-app purchase, advertising or requests for user information. Music files obtained through MusicKit APIs may not be downloaded, uploaded or passed on, unless the MusicKit documentation expressly allows it.
- (ii) MusicKit does not stand in for the licenses a deeper or more complex music integration can require. If an app is to play a particular song at a chosen moment, or produce audio or video files for posting on social media, the developer needs permission and assets from rights-holders directly, such as synchronization or adaptation rights. Cover art and other metadata may be used only alongside music playback or playlists, including screenshots of the app, and not in marketing or advertising without specific authorization from rights-holders. Apps are to follow the Apple Music Identity Guidelines.
- (iii) An app that reads Apple Music data belonging to the user, for example playlists and favorites, must say so plainly in the purpose string. The data may go to third parties only to support or improve the app experience, and must not serve to identify users or devices or to aim ads at them.
Apple's text
This page is an unofficial explanation in our own words. Unofficial explanation, not affiliated with Apple. Apple's text prevails. Apple's wording is on its page, linked below.
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