How to Setup Apple Music on an Amazon Echo Device - Alphr

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“Alexa, play something uplifting.” That’s all you need to say and your Echo device will choose a song from Apple Music and play it for you. But how do you set everything up to achieve one-command playback?

This article is here to answer that question and give you all the tips and tricks. Without much further ado, let’s jump right in.

Things to Know

Needless to say, you need an Apple Music subscription for this to work. You can get it on any Apple or Android device and you can subscribe via the Alexa app when you start the set-up.

Speaking of which, all the settings and syncing are done via the Alexa app. That is, you don’t need to set preferences and link the service to each individual speaker. This applies as long as you’re using the same Alexa/Amazon account for all your speakers.

In fact, all the Echo speakers you link to the account live under the same digital ecosystem. For example, you can do the set-up on the Echo Dot in your office and the commands will apply to the Echo Show in your living room.

However, you need to link all your Echo devices to Alexa and use a multi-room music set-up. This write-up includes a quick guide on that as well.

Setting Up Apple Music via the Alexa App

As indicated, the device and service management for Echo speakers is done via the Alexa app. In regards to the following steps, we assume that you’re already logged into the app.

Step 1

Once inside the Alexa app, tap on the three horizontal dots in the upper-left corner of the screen. This action takes you to the More menu of the device.

At the bottom of the pop-out menu on the left, tap on Settings for more actions.

Step 2

In the Settings window, navigate down to the Alexa Preferences tab, then tap on Music.

In the following window, you’ll be able to see all the music services you have enabled. To add another service, tap on “Link New Service” above the Manage Services tab.

Step 3

Tap on Apple Music in the next window to include it. You might see Apple Podcasts there as well, feel free to include that service if you want to.

Thereon, you’re taken to the Apple Music Alexa skill. Tap on the “Enable to Use” button to add the skill to your account. You’ll be redirected to the Apple site and asked to provide your Apple ID to proceed.

Step 4

Next, you need to allow Alexa access to your Apple Music account. The app informs you the two services have been successfully linked.

Music Settings Tips

Now, select Apple Music as the default service and this is how you make Alexa play uplifting tunes.

Set Apple Music as the Default

Tap the “Music and Playlists” button under ‘Alexa Preferences’ from ‘Settings.’ You’ll be taken to the Default Services window. Make sure Apple Music is checked under Default Music Library and do the same under Default Station.

Link Apple Music

You can also click the ‘Link Service’ option to link your Apple music to your Alexa device.

Set Up Apple Music

Once there, tap on ‘Apple Music’ and follow the setup process.

Go back to the Music menu and the app should list Apple Music under Default Services, plus it appears under Manage Services.

You should know that this step is optional. In addition, you can choose a different service under Default Station and still keep Apple Music as the default music service.

Setting Up Amazon Echo Devices

Your smart speaker needs to be plugged in and powered on to initiate the set-up. If there’s an LED ring on the device it glows orange when ready for set-up. The cute thing is that Alexa tells you to access the app to start.

Step 1

Launch the Alexa app on your smartphone and verify your identity. You won’t be asked to do this every time you use the app.

Tap on the More menu icon and choose “Add Device” – it should be the first option. Under “All Devices” select Amazon Echo, then choose the type of smart speaker you own.

Note: The app recognizes different generations of Echo smart speakers. Make sure to select the generation that corresponds to the device you have. Otherwise, you might not be able to complete the set-up.

Step 2

The Alexa app will search for your device and it should pop-up under Available Devices. If you have multiple smart speakers, choose the one that hasn’t already been set up.

Select your Wi-Fi network in the following window, then hit the Connect button. There’s a soothing chime when the connection is made and the app tells you the process is complete.

Additional Options

You can add another external speaker to your Echo either via Bluetooth or AUX cable. Then, you need to tell Alexa where your Echo is (you’re naming it, in fact).

Again, you don’t need to take these steps right away and your Echo is ready to use the moment Alexa informs you of the fact.

Setting Up Multi-Room Music Group

If you have a few Echo devices around the house, you can group all of them together. This allows for a more streamlined listening experience and better device management. Here’s how to do it.

Step 1

Launch the Alexa app and tap on the home icon at the bottom-right corner of the screen. Then, hit the plus icon in the upper-right corner and select “Add Multi-Room Music Speakers”.

Create a custom name for the group and tap Next to proceed.

Step 2

You’re now in the Define Group menu and you get to pick the devices which will constitute the group. Just tap on the Echos you’d like to include and hit Save.

Of course, the app informs you the group is ready and you can now use it.

Important Notes

There’s no option to add Fire TV devices or Firesticks to the Multi-Room Music group. The Echo that’s the nearest to you automatically picks up the command, but all the connected speakers play the tunes.

The key thing is that all the speakers within a group need to be on the same Wi-Fi network.

Additional FAQs

Now, your Amazon Echo (or Echos) and Apple Music are connected and ready to play. But there are still a few questions that might interest you.

How Do I Unlink My Apple Music Account from an Echo Device?

To Unlink Apple Music account from an Echo, access the Alexa app and enter the More menu (three horizontal lines in the upper-left of the screen). Select Settings then hit Music under Alexa Preferences.

Tap on Apple Music, select “Disable Skill”, and voila – you’ve unlinked the service. Sure, this will also remove Apple Music from the Default Service settings.

How Do I Start Playing Music?

As indicated, you start playing music by issuing commands to Alexa. To be exact, you say: “Alexa, play + plus the tune of song name”. You can also ask the system to play a specific genre or type of music and it’s pretty good at determining what you’d like.

This applies if you set Apple Music as a default player, but what if you don’t? Then, you need to specify the music service you’d like to use. The command is as follows – “Alexa, play + song/artist name + from Apple Music”.

How Do I Play a Specific Playlist?

By now, it shouldn’t be too hard to guess how to play a specific playlist. Say: “Alexa play + the playlist name”. Again, if Apple Music isn’t set as a default player, you need to include the name of the service.

Alexa Having Trouble Playing? Try This

Your Wi-Fi network is the likely culprit – it can cause buffering that ultimately times out, or fail to respond to a command altogether.

The first line of defense is to disconnect Wi-Fi-enabled devices you aren’t using at that moment. You may also need to consider relocating your Echo. Things like large metal objects, walls, and microwave ovens can be a source of interference.

It’s okay to keep your Echo closer to the floor or higher up on a shelf. Nonetheless, the key thing is to hook the smart speaker to the 5 GHz channel on your router. If you’re not sure which channel it is, you can check in the router settings.

While you’re at it, feel free to restart or soft-reset your router and reconnect. Finally, if you have a firewall the following ports need to be open:

1. 123
2. 443
3. 4070
4. 5353
5. 33434
6. 40317
7. 49317

Bonus Tip: If Alexa refuses to play a specific podcast, make sure the Explicit Language Filter is off.

Can I Also Stream My iTunes Library?

Yes, you can also stream your iTunes Library via Echo, just tell Alexa what you want to play. But you can also play the library without setting up Apple Music on your Echo.

Access the settings on your Mac, iPhone, or iPad and make sure Bluetooth is on. Now, instruct Alexa to connect to a new Bluetooth device and choose your Echo from the list. Just so you know, Alexa will list all the available devices for you.

Now, when you stream from the iTunes Library the sound will come out through your Echo. When you want to disconnect, just ask Alexa to do it for you.

Audio Binging It Is

Amazon Echo devices are affordable, versatile, and the sound is pretty decent. However, Alexa is the thing that makes them so attractive. And it won’t be wrong to assume that Alexa is one of the smartest virtual assistants currently available.

Besides Apple Music, do you use any other streaming platform? What is your favorite Alexa skill? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

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