Unable to follow my friends on Apple Music

Hi IsabellaBod

welcome to this Apple (user-to-user) Community.

Re: "how do i collaborate on apple music" "I’ve tried joining a link from my friend"

Sometimes, even if you have a link, you have to get their approval before you can actually collaborate:

Eg: See how to: Join a collaborative playlist in Music on iPhone - Apple Support

says:

1. "On your iPhone, tap the link you received, then tap Join or Request to Join (if the owner of the collaborative playlist must approve you first).
2. Do any of the following:

• Add a song, change the order of songs, or remove an item: See Edit a playlist.
• React to a song with emoji: See Add a reaction to a collaborative playlist.
• Invite others with a link: Tap Share Invite Link. See Add more people to collaborate on a playlist.

• • Note: If you’re the owner of a collaborative playlist, or the owner hasn’t turned on Approve Collaborators, you can share the link."

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Re: "I think I have some type of child proof setting on by accident or I’ve got something not allowing me to share things ..."

If parental controls are in place, you may need to consult with the parent or guardian who is being responsible, as they will have the password.

Eg: You could look at: Set up Screen Time for a family member on iPhone - Apple Support together

Else: You may want to check on any restrictions set in Settings  > Screen Time

Eg: See if Content & Privacy Restrictions is tuned on, and if so check whether you can make changes

ie: Look for "Allow changes to privacy settings in certain features, apps, or media" and "Allow changes to other settings.

More info if needed: Manage App Store purchases, settings, and restrictions on iPhone - Apple Support

and

How to : Use Screen Time on your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support

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Re: " I’ve had issues before connecting my music service to an app called air buds which said my service was unavailable"

You may just need to give the app your permission to access your music.

To check if the app needs access to Apple Music : On iPhone : try looking in

Settings > Privacy and Security > Media and Apple Music if needed toggle on to allow access.

More info: if needed: Control access to information in apps on iPhone - Apple Support

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Re: "I can’t follow my friends either I don’t know what to do"

If there are no limiting restrictions set for Apple music: If you haven't already created a profile:

"After you create a profile, you can choose the playlists you want to share. Additionally, you can view profiles created by friends or request to follow them and see what they’re listening to."

See how to: Create an Apple Music profile on iPhone - Apple Support

Eg: says:

"After you finish setting up your profile, you can find friends whose music profile you’d like to follow or choose who you share music with (so you can show friends what you’re listening to)."