Whether you are just getting started with Apple Music or have been a loyal listener since day one, there is a lot of stuff that isn't apparent at first glance.

With so many subscription services available, you'll want to make sure you're getting the most out of the Apple Music service. Using these tips can ensure that you enhance your experience with the platform.

1. Import Your Existing Data or Preferences

Apple Music was late to the music streaming game, and there were enough players like Spotify, Google Music, Rdio, Pandora, and others already in the market. If you used one of those, you probably have set up playlists or added songs to your collection already. Instead of doing all that again, you can import your data from one music streaming service to Apple Music using third-party tools.

You can use SongShift, a free service to import your data from one music platform and export it to another. To do this, download the app, sync it with your old music service (Spotify, Amazon Music, etc.) and with Apple Music, then perform the following steps:

  1. On the My Shifts page, tap the Add icon.
  2. Select Setup Source and choose the music service you usually use, for example, Spotify, then tap Continue.
  3. Tap Setup Destination and choose Apple Music, then tap Continue.
  4. Choose the playlists you want to transfer, then tap Continue.
  5. Once you're done, tap I'm Finished to begin the process. You can also tap Add another or Add from Clipboard to add more playlists and tracks.

You should now have transferred your data from your old music service to Apple Music, meaning you won't have to build your playlists again.

2. Use Apple Music’s Hidden Equalizer

Your speakers or headphones might not be primed for the type of music you're listening to. Software equalizers let you adjust the audio output to suit the kind of music you mostly listen to.

Unfortunately, Apple Music's equalizer is hidden away, but it still exists. You just need to find it and choose the setting that best describes what you listen to most often.

On iOS: Go to Settings > Music > Playback > EQ

On iTunes desktop: Go to Menu > Window > Equalizer

Having an equalizer in use can greatly improve the quality of your audio and gives you better control over how the music you listen to sounds, enhancing your experience on Apple Music.

3. Get High-Quality Audio on Mobile

By default, Apple Music will change the quality or compression of the audio file to a lower setting if you're using your mobile data plan. Whether lower bitrate audio is noticeable is still up for debate since it largely depends on your headphones or the sensitivity of your own ears.

That said, if you want high-quality audio even when you are on the move, there's an option in the settings to make that happen.

Get High-Quality Audio on iOS

Exit the Music app and go to Settings > Music > Audio Quality > Mobile Data Streaming and ensure it's on High Quality. You can also toggle Lossless Audio to On to preserve the original sound of the tracks you listen to.

Get High-Quality Audio on Android

In the Apple Music app, go to Menu > Settings > Playback > High Quality on Cellular and toggle it on.

Remember, this will use more data and require a good quality 4G or 5G connection. If you often have network troubles, it's best to keep this toggled off.

4. Play Sound Effects (Including Farts!)

The kids (and adults who have never really grown up) are going to love this. You already know the hands-free Hey Siri command on iPhone or iPad can play songs, search for particular titles, or even control your queue and library. What you may not know is that there are many other fun things you can ask Siri, including funny sound effects.

Among Apple's vast catalog of songs are albums full of sound effects, from a simple buzzer sound to fart noises! Try telling Siri, "Play funny fart 4," and it'll launch into a rendition from the funny fart noises album.

5. Check the Apple Music 1 Radio Schedule

One of Apple Music's prime offerings is the Apple Music 1 radio station, with celebrity hosts like Zane Lowe, Elton John, Drake, Dr. Dre, and other prominent music personalities. But how do you know when to tune in to Apple Music 1 Radio to listen to your favorite presenter(s)?

The Apple Music 1 radio schedule

Head to the official Apple Music 1 radio schedule page to keep up to date. This is regularly updated, so you'll never miss a radio show you were hoping to tune in to.

6. Listen to Old Apple Music 1 Shows

Did you miss the episode you wanted to listen to? Don't worry; unlike traditional radio, you can turn back the clock and catch it again on Apple Music 1. If you've wondered whether an Apple Music subscription is worth it, the plethora of shows the service offers may be enough to convince you.

In case it's a show that's part of a series, like Elton John's Rocket Hour, just look for it on Apple Music 1 in the Music or iTunes app, or search for the show or artist. You'll find the last few episodes under "New Episodes" and all the older ones under Playlists.

7. Set Up Your Profile to Connect With Others

Apple Music allows you to connect with others by setting up your profile. This feature allows you to follow friends and check out their playlists, and let other people follow you.

Adding your friends to Apple Music can give you a social feeling to your music which enhances your enjoyment. It's really simple to set up. Just beware that you're opening yourself up to judgment from others.

8. Discover Great Playlists

Apple has focused heavily on creating and sharing playlists in Apple Music, whether by asking its team of editors to curate them or through smart algorithms that understand your likes and push certain playlists prominently on your screen.

The more data you provide to Apple Music through listening to music, the more likely it is its curated playlists will work for you. Liking and disliking songs on Apple Music is also a big factor in feeding the algorithm and the playlists it serves you.

You can also find user-generated playlists on websites such as Playlist Hunter, Playlist List, and others. You may have to pay for some of these platforms, so you'll need to weigh up whether the cost is worth it.

Pro-tip: if any of these websites have a playlist you want to add that's only on Spotify or another streaming service you used to use, you can download it anyway and then use SongShift to transfer it to Apple Music, as we previously showed you.

9. Sing Along to Your Favorite Tunes In-App Lyrics

Apple Music has an in-app lyrics feature, so you don't mishear or misinterpret song lyrics. Music is great when you feel like you're involved and can have a lot of fun singing along.

When playing a track, simply tap on it to bring up its page as it plays. From there, you can top on the Quote icon from the menu to bring up lyrics in real time while the song plays. So long as you've set up your Apple Music profile, you can share song lyrics in Apple Music with your friends on the platform.

10. Get Notified When a New Release Drops

You can change your notification settings on Apple Music to ensure that you don't miss out on new releases. Doing this is really simple and only requires a few steps:

  1. Open the Apple Music app.
  2. Tap Account (your profile icon).
  3. Tap Notifications.
  4. Tap Allow Notifications on This iPhone and toggle the New Music notification bar to On. You can also toggle whether you want these notifications to Show in Library or not.

You can change this at any time if you find that you're getting too many notifications. This handy feature ensures you keep up to date with the latest music your favorite artists have to offer.

Are You an Apple Music Convert?

While Spotify, Amazon Music, and other music streaming platforms are fantastic, Apple Music has a lot to offer you and even makes efforts to help you socialize with your favorite music.

There are plenty of features you can take advantage of on Apple Music, and the UI is seamless enough to make it easy to adjust.