Common questions about Apple Music

Short answers, pulled from the story.

When did Apple Music officially launch?

Apple Music officially launched on the 30th of June 2015. The service originated from the acquisition of Beats Electronics in 2014, which brought the Beats Music service and CEO Ian Rogers to Apple.

Why did Taylor Swift withdraw her album 1989 from Apple Music?

Taylor Swift withdrew her album 1989 from Apple Music to protest the company's decision not to pay artists during the three-month free trial period. She argued that it was unfair for Apple to expect artists to work for free while the company acquired new subscribers.

What major audio quality changes did Apple Music implement in 2021?

Apple Music began offering lossless audio via the ALAC codec and music mixed in Dolby Atmos at no additional cost to subscribers in May 2021. By the 28th of December 2021, the entire catalogue of 90 million tracks had been upgraded to include lossless audio.

Which artist released an album exclusively on Apple Music in 2016?

Frank Ocean released his album Blonde exclusively on Apple Music in August 2016. This decision was made independently of his label, Def Jam Recordings, and sparked a major fight in the music industry regarding exclusive releases.

How many subscribers did Apple Music have by August 2025?

Apple Music surpassed 94 million subscribers by August 2025. The service reached 10 million subscribers in just six months after its launch and continued to grow despite fierce competition from other streaming platforms.

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