How to Create an Apple Music Profile on iOS 11

Creating an Apple Music profile on iOS 11 lets you share playlists and albums with friends, follow other listeners, and see what they’re playing. You’ll need an active Apple Music subscription and a device running iOS 11 or later. The process takes about two minutes once you know where to tap.

What You’ll Need

An iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with iOS 11 or newer
An active Apple Music subscription (individual, student, or family plan)
A valid Apple ID signed in to the device
iCloud Music Library enabled (optional but recommended for syncing your library)

Step-by-Step

Open the Music app. Tap the Music icon on your home screen. If you don’t see it, swipe down on the home screen and search for “Music.”
Tap “For You.” This tab is at the bottom of the screen, between “Library” and “Browse.” If you don’t see “For You,” make sure you’re signed in to Apple Music (tap “Try It Free” or “Sign In” if prompted).
Tap the profile icon. Look in the top-right corner of the “For You” tab. It looks like a person’s head and shoulders. If you haven’t set up a profile yet, you’ll see a prompt asking you to “Get Started.”
Tap “Get Started” or “Create Profile.” This begins the setup process. If you already have a profile, you’ll see your name and photo instead.
Enter your display name. This is the name other Apple Music users will see. You can use your real name, a nickname, or any handle you like. It doesn’t have to be your Apple ID name.
Add a photo (optional). Tap “Choose Photo” or “Take Photo” to add a profile picture. You can pick from your library, take a new one, or skip this step—a default silhouette will be used.
Decide who can follow you. Choose “Everyone” or “People You Approve.” “Everyone” lets any Apple Music user follow you; “People You Approve” sends you follow requests that you must accept. You can change this later.
Tap “Create Profile” or “Done.” Your profile is now live. You’ll be taken back to the “For You” tab, and your profile icon will show your new photo.
Set your listening activity visibility. Go to your profile (tap the profile icon again) and tap “Edit.” Under “Listening Activity,” choose whether to share what you’re listening to with followers. You can also hide your profile from search entirely by toggling “Findable by Others.”

Common Mistakes

Skipping the “For You” tab. The profile option only appears under “For You,” not under “Library” or “Browse.” If you can’t find it, you’re in the wrong tab.
Not having an Apple Music subscription. A free account or iTunes Match won’t show the profile setup. You need an active subscription.
Using an old iOS version. Profiles were introduced with iOS 11. If your device is stuck on iOS 10 or earlier, you won’t see the option. Check under Settings > General > Software Update.
Choosing “People You Approve” accidentally. This means you won’t get followers unless you manually approve each one. If you want open following, pick “Everyone.”
Forgetting to save changes. After editing your profile, you must tap “Done” in the top-right corner. Swiping away or pressing Home may not save your changes.

Tips

Use a recognizable photo. Your profile picture shows next to your activity in friends’ feeds, so a clear face or logo helps people find you.
Share your profile link. You can share your profile via Messages, Mail, or social media. Tap the share icon (a square with an arrow) on your profile page to get a link.
Control what others see. In “Edit,” you can turn off “Listening Activity” entirely. If you want to share some things but not others, you can’t per-playlist—it’s all or nothing.
Follow friends back. When someone follows you, you’ll get a notification. You can follow them back to see their activity in the “Friends” section of “For You.”
Change your name anytime. Tap your profile icon, tap “Edit,” and change your display name. There’s no limit on how often you can change it.

Troubleshooting

I don’t see the profile icon. Make sure you’re on the “For You” tab. If you still don’t see it, go to Settings > Music and check that “Show Apple Music” is enabled. Also verify you’re signed in to the App Store and iTunes Store with the same Apple ID.

I get a “Cannot Create Profile” error. This usually means your device can’t reach Apple’s servers. Wait a few minutes and try again. If it persists, restart your device and check your internet connection. You can also sign out of Apple Music (Settings > Music > Sign Out) and sign back in.

My profile was created but friends can’t find me. Go to your profile, tap “Edit,” and ensure “Findable by Others” is toggled on. Also, make sure your friends are using Apple Music (not just iTunes) and are on iOS 11 or later.

I changed my name but it didn’t update. Tap “Done” after editing, then wait a few minutes. Sometimes the change takes a little while to propagate. If it still doesn’t update, force-quit the Music app and reopen it.

I can’t follow anyone. You need to have a profile yourself first. If you haven’t created yours, you can’t follow others. Also, the person you’re trying to follow may have “People You Approve” enabled, so your request might be pending.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I create an Apple Music profile without a subscription?

No. You need an active Apple Music subscription. A free trial counts, but the free “Radio” tier or iTunes Match does not.

Is my profile visible to everyone on Apple Music?

Only if you choose “Everyone” during setup. If you pick “People You Approve,” you’ll get follow requests. You can also hide your profile from search entirely.

Can I delete my Apple Music profile?

Yes. Go to your profile, tap “Edit,” scroll to the bottom, and tap “Delete Profile.” This removes your profile and all your followers. You can create a new one later.

Does my Apple Music profile show what I listen to in real time?

Yes, if you have “Listening Activity” enabled, your followers can see what you’re currently playing and your recent plays. You can turn this off in Edit.

Can I change my profile picture later?

Absolutely. Tap your profile icon, tap “Edit,” and tap the photo to change it. You can also remove it entirely.

Why can’t I see my friends’ profiles?

Your friends need to have created their own profiles and have “Findable by Others” enabled. Also, you both need to be on iOS 11 or later. If you still can’t see them, try restarting the Music app.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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