Do I need Apple Music to play iTunes songs in my car?

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Level 2

152 points

Do I need Apple Music to play iTunes songs in my car?

Hi, I finally got a new car with a touch screen and hopefully Bluetooth. The dealership told me they can help with setting up my phone, etc. but I was there all day and had to leave.

I don't pay/subscribe to Apple Music but have been purchasing songs via iTunes** for years now and I do have the iTunes app on my phone. Do I need Apple Music to listen to my songs** in my car? Thanks so much.

PS - I thought this was going to be posted in the iTunes community. Sorry if this is the wrong place.

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: Cars / Apple Music subscription question

iPhone 11

Posted on Aug 13, 2025 06:00 PM

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Answer 1

Aug 13, 2025 11:43 PM in response to nature_girl75

I don't think you need an Apple Music subscription to listen to purchased music in your car.

Many cars support CarPlay integration with iPhones (Use CarPlay with your iPhone - Apple Support). While CarPlay will work with music from an Apple Music subscription, I assume that it would work with all of the purchased music on your iPhone, as well.

If you had a car that did not support CarPlay, it still might support

Bluetooth
An audio input jack (that could be hooked up to an iPhone 11 using a Apple Lightning-to-3.5" headphone adapter and a standard audio cable with 3.5" mini-plugs on both ends).
CD-Audio discs
Data CDs containing MP3 or AAC song files stored according to a certain naming arrangement
USB flash drives containing MP3 or AAC song files stored according to a certain naming arrangement

You could prepare CDs or USB flash drives from purchased songs with the aid of a computer.

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Answer 2

Aug 13, 2025 11:44 PM in response to nature_girl75

For reference, in case you need it: Redownload music from the iTunes Store on your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support

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Answer 3

nature_girl75 Author

Level 2

152 points

Aug 15, 2025 06:59 PM in response to Servant of Cats

Thank you

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