Apple Music has increased its subscription prices worldwide, marking the service’s first price hike since 2022, according to Music Business Worldwide. The new pricing is already live on Apple’s pricing pages in the U.S., the U.K., and Europe, with the change also rolling out to other markets. Apple told MBW the increase is happening “as a result of rising licensing costs.”
In the U.S., Apple Music’s Individual plan has gone from $10.99 to $11.99 per month. The Family plan has increased from $16.99 to $19.99 per month, while the Student plan has risen from $5.99 to $6.99 per month. Apple says existing subscribers are typically moved to the new rates at the next billing cycle after being notified, while new subscribers pay the higher price right away. MBW reports that the price change took effect on July 17, 2026.
The company’s reason for the increase is that licensing costs are going up. MBW reported that Apple gave the same explanation when it last raised Apple Music prices in October 2022, saying at the time that the change was tied to higher licensing costs and that artists and songwriters would earn more from streaming.
Apple Music continues to position itself as a full-featured streaming service, with more than 100 million songs, offline downloads, Spatial Audio, lossless audio, and access across devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, smart TVs, Sonos, and more. Apple also says Apple Music Classical is included with Apple Music subscriptions at no extra cost.
For families and students, Apple is still leaning on the same basic perks. The Family plan allows sharing with up to five other people, and the Student plan includes Apple TV access at no extra charge.
However, Apple Music is not the only major streaming service dealing with higher prices. MBW noted that Spotify raised its U.S. pricing earlier in 2026 as well, a reminder that subscription costs across the music streaming business keep creeping upward.
For listeners, the latest Apple Music increase is another small monthly bump that adds up over time. The price hike is another reminder that licensing expenses are still putting pressure on streaming margins. If you are an Apple Music subscriber, the new rate may already be showing on your account, depending on when your billing cycle renews.
