Add music to Apple watch

When you add music to your Apple Watch, you can listen to it wherever you go, even when you don’t have your iPhone with you.

You can add specific playlists and albums to your Apple Watch using the Apple Watch app on your iPhone. If you’re an Apple Music subscriber, you can also add music with the Music app directly on your Apple Watch.

Note: You don’t have to choose specific music to add to your Apple Watch if you’re an Apple Music subscriber. Music you’ve recently listened to is added automatically. (If you haven’t listened to anything, music recommended by Apple Music is added.)

Add music using your iPhone

1. Open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone.
2. Tap My Watch, then tap Music.
3. Below Playlists & Albums, tap Add Music.
4. Select albums and playlists to sync to your Apple Watch.

Music is added when Apple Watch is connected to power and placed near your iPhone.

Tip: Use the Music app on your iPhone to create playlists specifically for music you want to listen to on your Apple Watch—music that motivates you during a workout, for example. See the Apple Support article How to make a playlist in the Apple Music app.

Add music using your Apple Watch

If you’re an Apple Music subscriber, you can add music using your Apple Watch.

1. Open the Music app on your Apple Watch.
2. Tap Library, Listen Now, or Search, then navigate to music you want to add.
3. Tap a playlist or album, tap then tap Add to Library.A message confirms that the item was added.

   Note: You can stream music you add to Apple Watch when you have an internet connection. To play music when you’re not connected to the internet, you must first download it.

4. To download the music to Apple Watch, tap again, then tap Download.Music is added when Apple Watch is connected to power and Wi-Fi.

Add a workout playlist to Apple Watch

You can add a playlist from your music library that plays automatically when you start a workout in the Workout app on Apple Watch.

1. Open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone.
2. Tap My Watch, then tap Workout.
3. Tap Workout Playlist, then choose a playlist.

The playlist is added to My Watch > Music in the Apple Watch app on your iPhone.

Note: A workout playlist won’t play if you’re currently listening to other music or audio.

See alsoRemove music from Play music on a managed Start and end a workout