Do I need Apple Music to share playlists between Apple IDs?

I currently have an iTunes Match subscription, but I don't have an Apple Music subscription.


I have a DJ app on my iPad that allows me to play the local music I've downloaded onto my iPad through the iPad's Music app. I created some of the music files. Others were purchased from the iTunes Store, Amazon Music, or downloaded from other sources. None are protected (to my knowledge). I don't believe it will play protected music. All music files were added to the Music app on my Mac and synced to the Music app on my iPad.


I have another Apple ID (we'll call it #2) and would like to share my music and playlists with it.

I added Apple ID #2 to Family Sharing from Apple ID #1, and I now see the music from my main Apple ID #1 on Apple ID #2.

Yay...sort of. None of my playlists were shared to Apple ID #2.

Music, shared. Playlists, not shared.


From what I can tell after my research, playlist sharing might require an Apple Music Subscription.

Is that correct?..or did I forget to flip a switch somewhere that says "Share Playlists"?


If I need an Apple Music subscription to share playlists, what is iTunes Match still doing for me that the Apple Music subscription isn't? Or is the Apple Music subscription everything that iTunes Match is...and more?


I know that an Apple Music subscription allows me to stream music. I don't need to stream music, so that is of no benefit to me.

As I understand it, music attained through an Apple Music subscription is protected, so I don't believe the DJ app on my iPad would play it anyway. I don't want protected music. I want to purchase it (or create it).

Before I jump into an Apple Music subscription, I want to make sure it isn't going to make all my purchased music protected under the Apple Music umbrella...if in fact I actually need that to share playlists.


Do you have any ideas on how I can share playlists from one Apple ID to another while keeping my music unprotected?


[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: Music and Playlist Sharing

iPad Pro, iPadOS 18

Posted on Jun 16, 2025 05:25 PM

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Jun 16, 2025 07:39 PM in response to randytheking

...
As I understand it, music attained through an Apple Music subscription is protected, so I don't believe the DJ app on my iPad would play it anyway. I don't want protected music. I want to purchase it (or create it).
Before I jump into an Apple Music subscription, I want to make sure it isn't going to make all my purchased music protected under the Apple Music umbrella...if in fact I actually need that to share playlists.

Do you have any ideas on how I can share playlists from one Apple ID to another while keeping my music unprotected?

Theoretically, an Apple Music subscription will not affect your library of local unprotected files. However, people who find (or think they have found) otherwise show up regularly on this Forum. Recent example: After stopping Apple music sub., my pre-o… - Apple Community


You lost me a bit with the need for Apple ID#2. Unprotected files are not necessarily associated with an Apple ID. Do you envision Apple ID #2 having its own library separate from ID #1?

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Do I need Apple Music to share playlists between Apple IDs?

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