In 2021, Apple bought out Primephonic, a classical music streaming service. Using that platform as a foundation, Apple has created Apple Music Classical. The Apple version borrows from Primephonic’s playlists, audio content, search capability, metadata, and more but is modified to work within the Apple Music App format. In addition, Apple Music Classical has its own app.
The new service allows users to access classical music on the Apple Music platform, and also includes support for Hi-Res Lossless (up to 192kHz/24-bit) and Spatial Audio (with Dolby Atmos) when available from the content source.
Tip: Apple Music Classical supports streaming, but does not support downloads for offline listening – at least in the beginning. Should it become available we will update this article.
Apple Music Classical Features
In addition to what is currently available in Apple Music, Apple Music Classical is expected to provide access to five million classical music tracks to start, as well as to hundreds of curated playlists, and thousands of exclusive albums.
User Interface: The app’s user interface is similar to Apple Music, but there is no Radio tab. Also, it’s not known if classical Radio Stations from Apple Music will be included.
Search: Apple Music Classical allows users to search by composer, work, conductor, catalog number, and more.
Now Playing: There is a “Now Playing” screen with a white or black background display. This is different from Apple Music, which generates backgrounds from currently playing track album artwork. The “Now Playing” screen features an info button instead of lyrics, providing written descriptions of the music being played.
Info and Notes: The app also includes additional information, such as composer bios, editorial notes, and more detailed information about major compositions.
Artwork: Apple has commissioned artwork of famous artists for use on Apple Music Classical using color palettes and artistic references from related classical periods. To start there are portraits of Ludwig van Beethoven, Frédéric Chopin, and Johann Sebastian Bach, with more to come.
Tip: Apple Music Classical is available for iPhone, but not for iPadOS, tvOS, or MacOS. An Android version of the Apple Music Classical app is still forthcoming.
Tip: The iPhone app requires iOS 15.4 or higher. Apple Music Classical is Apple Airplay compatible.
Price and Availability
Apple Music Classical is free for Apple Music or Apple One subscribers.
Apple Music subscriptions are priced at (per month): $10.99 (individual), $16.99 (family), and $5.99 (student)
Apple One subscriptions are priced at (per month)
- $16.99 (individual): Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, Apple iCloud (50 GB storage)
- $22.95 (family): Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, Apple iCloud (200 GB storage)
- $32.95 (Premiere): Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, Apple iCloud (2 TB storage), Apple News+, Apple Fitness+
Tip: Apple Music Classical will not be included in the current $4.99-per-month Apple Music Voice plan.
The Apple Music Classical streaming service is expected to start on March 28th, 2023.
Update 3/28/2023: The Apple Classical App is available and active.
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