How to Gift a Song on iTunes Using iPhone

How to Gift Music on Your iPhone: Sharing Your Favorite Tracks and Albums

Music has a remarkable way of connecting people. Whether you want to celebrate a milestone, cheer up a friend, or share an underground masterpiece you’ve just discovered, sending a digital music gift is a thoughtful gesture.

If you are wondering how to pull this off straight from your pocket, you can easily send music gifts using your iPhone. However, there is a specific built-in rule regarding individual tracks versus full albums that you should know before you begin.

Important Note: Albums vs. Individual Songs

Before diving into the steps, it helps to understand how Apple handles music gifting on mobile devices:

• Full Albums: You can gift complete music albums directly from the iTunes Store app on your iPhone.
• Individual Songs: Apple currently does not support gifting single, individual tracks directly from the iOS or iPadOS iTunes app. To gift a single song directly, you must use a Mac or Windows PC, or use one of the clever workarounds outlined below.

Step-by-Step: How to Gift an Album from Your iPhone

If you want to send a full album to a friend or family member using your iPhone, the process takes just a few taps:

1. Open the iTunes Store App: Locate and open the iTunes Store app on your iPhone’s home screen or App Library. (Note: This is separate from the standard Apple Music streaming app).
2. Find the Album: Use the search tab or browse to find the exact music album you want to purchase as a gift.
3. Tap the Share Button: Tap on the album to open its detail page, then tap the Share button (represented by a square with an arrow pointing upward).
4. Select “Gift”: From the pop-up share sheet options, tap Gift.
5. Personalize Your Gift: Follow the onscreen instructions:
   • Enter the recipient’s email address.
   • Type out a personal message if you wish.
   • Select a delivery date or send it immediately.
6. Complete the Purchase: Authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode to confirm the payment.

Once sent, your recipient will receive an email notification with a Redeem button that automatically downloads the music to their device.

Alternative Workarounds for Gifting a Single Song

If your recipient only wants one specific song rather than an entire album, you can bypass the iOS album restriction using a couple of easy alternatives:

• Send an Apple Gift Card: You can quickly email an Apple Gift Card straight from your iPhone. Open the App Store app, tap your profile icon at the top right, select Send Gift Card by Email, and customize the amount. Your friend can redeem the balance to their Apple Account and purchase the exact track they want.
• Use a Computer: If you have access to a Mac or Windows PC, open the Apple Music app, navigate to the iTunes Store section, click the arrow next to the song’s price, and choose “Gift This Song”.

Quick Troubleshooting Checklist

Keep these quick guidelines in mind to ensure your musical surprise goes off without a hitch:

• Region Matching: The recipient’s Apple Account must be registered in the same country or region store as yours. (For instance, a U.S. account cannot gift media to an Australian account).
• Payment Methods: Music gifts are billed directly to your primary credit or payment method on file, rather than your existing Apple Account balance.
• Family Sharing: If you use Family Sharing and have Ask to Buy enabled for your account, you won’t be able to purchase gifts.