This wikiHow teaches you how to add a valid payment method to your Apple ID to pay for a premium subscription to Apple Music. Once you update your payment method with a valid credit or debit card or PayPal, you can easily start an Apple Music subscription with just one click. If you have multiple payment methods saved to your Apple ID, you can quickly move the method you want to use to the top of the list of payment methods to make it the primary payment method.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Use iTunes on a Computer
Step 1. Open iTunes on the computer or Mac
The iTunes icon looks like a purple and blue music note icon in a white circle. You can find it in the Start menu (Windows) or in the Applications folder (Mac).
Because the Apple Music subscription is linked to your Apple ID, this method will work for all iPhone, iPad, and Android subscriptions
Step 2. Click the Account tab at the top
This will open your account options in a drop down menu.
- On Mac, you can find this button in the menu bar at the top of the screen.
- On Windows, this button is at the top of the iTunes window.
Step 3. Click View my account… in the menu
Doing so will ask you to sign in with your Apple ID.
Step 4. Sign in with your Apple ID
Make sure to enter the correct email address and password that you want to use for your Apple Music subscription here and click Log in.
This will open your Apple ID account information in iTunes
Step 5. Click the blue Manage Payments link next to "Payment Information."
You can find this option under the Apple ID Summary heading.
Step 6. Click the Add payment method button
This will open the new payment method form.
Step 7. Enter your card information in the new payment form
Select the card type at the top and fill in the card number, expiration date, and three-digit security code.
- You can use a VISA, MasterCard, Discover or American Express card here.
- Alternatively, you can select PayPal at the top and click Login to PayPal to link your PayPal account with your Apple ID. This will allow you to use PayPal to pay for iTunes and app purchases, including Apple Music.
Step 8. Enter your billing address
You must enter your full name and the billing address registered on your card to validate your new payment method.
Step 9. Click the OK button
This is in the lower right corner of the form. Pressing it will validate the new payment method and add it to your Apple ID account.
- Now you can start an Apple Music subscription with your new payment method.
- This will take you to the "Manage payments" page.
Step 10. Hover over the payment method you want to use (optional)
If you have multiple saved payment methods, you can reorder the list here and make any one of the saved methods the main one.
- Blue arrow icons will display next to the payment method when you hover over them.
- Your purchases and subscriptions, including Apple Music, will be paid for with your primary method at the top of the list.
Step 11. Click the blue arrow
pointing up to move the card to the top.
Make sure the payment method you want to use for the subscription is at the top of the list.
Apple will automatically collect the money using the payment methods in order from top to bottom when you start your Apple Music subscription. The method at the top of the list will be used to pay for new purchases and subscriptions
Method 2 of 3: Use an iPhone or iPad
Step 1. Open the Settings app
on your iPhone or iPad.
Find and tap the gray gear icon on the home screen or in the apps folder to open the Settings menu.
Step 2. Tap on your name at the top
Your full name and your Apple ID picture are at the top of the Settings menu. This will open your Apple ID menu.
Step 3. Tap on Manage payments or Payment and shipping.
You can find this option in the Apple ID menu. Tapping it will open the payment settings for all purchases and downloads.
- If prompted, enter your Apple ID password and tap To accept to continue.
Step 4. Tap the Add Payment Method button
This option is at the top of the "Manage payments" or "Checkout" page. Doing so will open your payment options.
Step 5. Select Credit card / debit card under “PAYMENT METHOD”
This option will allow you to add any credit or debit card as a payment method to buy applications and pay for subscriptions.
- Alternatively, you can select the option to PayPal and touch the button Login to PayPal. This will link your PayPal account with your Apple ID, and will use your PayPal account to pay for iTunes and app purchases.
- Once you've added a valid payment method, you can use it to pay for your Apple Music subscription.
Step 6. Enter the card details in the payment form
You will need to enter the card number, expiration date, and three-digit security code.
- You can tap the blue camera icon next to Number to take a photo of the card and automatically fill in the card number in this part.
Step 7. Enter your billing information
You will need to enter your legal name and billing address in order to validate your payment method.
Step 8. Tap the OK button in the upper right
This will add and save your new payment method to your Apple ID. Now you can start your Apple Music subscription and pay for the plan you have chosen.
- This will take you back to the "Checkout" page.
- If you're not sure how to start an Apple Music subscription on your iPhone or iPad, take a look at this page for detailed instructions.
Step 9. Tap the Edit button in the upper right (optional)
If you have multiple payment methods saved, you can reorder them to set your main payment method for your subscriptions.
Step 10. Press and hold the three lines icon ☰ next to the payment method
This will allow you to move the selected payment method to the top of the list and make it your main payment method for your Apple Music subscription.
Step 11. Move the selected payment method to the top of the list
This will make the selected card your main payment method. The subscription will be paid automatically with this main payment method.
Method 3 of 3: Use Android
Step 1. Open the Apple Music app on your Android phone
The Apple Music icon looks like a purple and blue music note icon within a white circle. You can find it on your home screen or in the application tray.
- Editing your payment information on Android will remove all payment methods except your primary Apple ID method, including all other devices you used with your Apple ID.
- If you don't have a payment method saved to your Apple ID, you won't be able to add one the first time on Android. Make sure to use iTunes on a computer or on an iPhone or iPad if you are adding your first payment method.
- If you're joining Apple Music for the first time, be sure to search the internet for how to do it on Android. You can use an existing Apple ID or create a new Apple ID and enter your payment information during registration.
Step 2. Tap on Library, Listen, To explore or Radius at the bottom.
If the Apple Music app opens to a different song or page, tap one of the tabs in the toolbar at the bottom.
Step 3. Tap the red three-dot icon ⋮ in the upper right
This button is in the upper right corner of the screen. A drop-down menu will open.
Step 4. Tap on Account from the dropdown menu
This will open your account options on a new page.
- If you don't see this option, tap Setting and later Log in at the top to sign in with your Apple ID.
Step 5. Tap Payment Information on the Account menu
This option will allow you to change or delete your current payment information.
Step 6. Select Credit card / debit card under “PAYMENT METHOD”
This option will allow you to enter your card details and add a new payment method to pay for Apple Music.
- This option will allow you to change your current Apple Music payment method with a different card.
- Changing your payment information on Android will automatically delete all other payment methods saved in your Apple ID except the main method.
- If you simply want to remove your Apple Music payment method, select None in this part.
Step 7. Enter your card and billing information
You will need to complete the complete information on your card and the corresponding billing address on file with your financial institution.
You must enter your card number, expiration date, three-digit security code, full legal name, and full address in this part
Step 8. Touch the Done button
This will save the new payment method. Your Apple Music payments will now be charged to this payment method.