Apple Music web browser player launches in beta

Apple is making it possible for subscribers of Apple Music to be able to listen to songs on the streaming service via a browser, with a public beta launch enabling users to log into their accounts via a web-based player for the first time.

A new site called beta.music.apple.com offers an interface similar to what is offered when users view the service in the iOS Music app or via macOS iTunes. While it is possible for anyone to browse the service via the site, users can only listen to songs in a preview without logging in with their Apple ID.

For all users, the left-hand bar offers the For You, Browse, and Radio sections to explore, standard elements of Apple Music, with the music playback interface appearing near the top of the browser window. At the bottom left is a link labeled "Open in Music," which takes users to the Music app or iTunes , depending on the operating system.

Unsubscribed users are also offered the ability to sign up for the Apple Music trial via a banner at the bottom of the screen. Subscribers logging in to the site can access other elements, including their library and saved playlists, as well as being able to listen to full-length versions of songs.

Given the service is in beta, it is likely that more features from the main apps will be added to the web-based experience over time.

A browser version of Apple Music has been in the works for a while, with a web player first making a appearance in June 2018, ahead of that year's WWDC. "MusicKit on the Web" was subsequently introduced at the developer conference, allowing developers to embed tracks into a webpage.

Aside from apps, HomePod, and the new web experience, users are able to access Apple Music in a number of other non-Apple ways, including through Amazon's Echo range via an Alexa skill, some Samsung Smart TVs, and via an integration with the Porsche Taycan's infotainment system.

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32 Comments

curtis hannah 1834 comments · 12 Years

About 5 years ago

So this is going to replace iTunes for Windows I assume?

greg uvan 86 comments · 11 Years

I was actually thinking the same thing. Maybe they'll never update iTunes/Apple Music for Windows. Maybe this is it. I never imagined they'd do this, and I don't know why I'd use it rather than the new macOS Apple Music app. But, for other platforms? Even Linux users might be able to use this.

mike1 3432 comments · 10 Years

curtis hannah said:

So this is going to replace iTunes for Windows I assume?

I doubt it. Would be pretty useless for those with large libraries of ripped or downloaded music.
What it will allow is the use of Apple Music on a work computer where I can't install iTunes.

cmd-z 69 comments · 8 Years

curtis hannah said:

So this is going to replace iTunes for Windows I assume?

I highly doubt it because it does not appear that the web interface allows for smart playlist management, and certainly does not provide for syncing a local iTunes library (for those non-Apple Music/ iCloud Music Library users). If you're not an Apple Music/ iCloud Music Library user, you have to have iTunes to manage your playlists and sync your devices. So IMO, iTunes for Windows is highly likely here to stay for some time. Perhaps someday Apple may split up iTunes for Windows into Music, TV, Podcast, etc. but they'd have to find a way to handle syncing iOS devices with a local library within a "Music for Windows" app (on a Mac, the upcoming "Music" app won't sync devices, that will be done via Finder).

mike eggleston 707 comments · 23 Years

greg uvan said:

I was actually thinking the same thing. Maybe they'll never update iTunes/Apple Music for Windows. Maybe this is it. I never imagined they'd do this, and I don't know why I'd use it rather than the new macOS Apple Music app. But, for other platforms? Even Linux users might be able to use this.

I use Linux at work (Manjaro Linux, an Arch-based system); and it does not work yet using Firefox nor Chromium. It is complaining about not being able to install my Apple ID. Which is more than likely some sort of permission problem, or Apple just doesn't know how to deal with Arch yet.