Music Subscriptions Made Simple: Sharing, Saving, and Staying Safe

We realised the other night that we were paying for Spotify twice — one on my phone, one on my partner’s. Both had the same playlists, the same songs, and the same problem: we had no idea how to merge or manage them.

It’s a familiar story. Music streaming has become the background to family life — but it’s also one of the easiest ways to waste money or expose younger listeners to the wrong content. This guide breaks down how the main services really work, how to share them safely, and how to keep your playlists and settings intact along the way.

1. Understanding the Options

Spotify

• Plans: Individual, Duo (2 people), Family (up to 6).

• Safety: You can block explicit content in settings, but the filter can be toggled off unless your child’s device is managed through Family Link (Android) or Screen Time (Apple).

• Best for: Mixed devices and families using Android, iPhone, smart speakers, and consoles.

Apple Music

• Plans: Individual, Family (up to 6 under iCloud Family).

• Safety: The explicit filter works well and can be locked under Screen Time → Content & Privacy.

• Best for: Families already using Apple IDs or iCloud Family Sharing.

Amazon Music

• Plans: Individual, Family (up to 6), often bundled with Prime.

• Safety: Explicit filters can be set per device in Alexa → Music Settings, though these can reset if new profiles are added.

• Best for: Households with Echo or Fire devices.

YouTube Music

• Plans: Individual, Family (up to 5 others).

• Safety: No built-in parental filter — safe listening relies on Supervised Accounts or YouTube Kids for under-13s.

• Best for: Families already on Android or YouTube Premium.

Tip: Family plans require everyone to live at the same address. If relatives live elsewhere, they’ll likely lose access after a few weeks.

2. Stop Paying Twice

Streaming services are designed to be frictionless — and that often means we forget what we’re actually paying for. Before adding another subscription, check:

• iPhone/iPad: Settings → Apple ID → Subscriptions.
• Android: Google Play → Payments & Subscriptions.
• Amazon: Your Memberships & Subscriptions.

You might find duplicates — especially if one plan is billed through Apple and another directly via Spotify or Amazon. Most platforms allow you to add family members mid-cycle, so you can cancel one plan and merge immediately without waiting for renewal.

3. Don’t Lose Your Playlists

One of the biggest worries when switching to a family plan is: “Will I lose my playlists?”

If you simply upgrade your existing account, nothing changes — your playlists and liked songs stay. But if you’re merging or switching between services, you can safely transfer your favourites:

• Spotify → Spotify: Make playlists public on the old account, then follow them on the new one.
• Between services: Use free tools like Soundiiz or TuneMyMusic.
• Apple Music: Share each playlist before closing the old plan.

Always export or share playlists before cancelling a subscription — some services delete them after 30 days.

4. Keeping It Clean

Explicit-content filters aren’t fool-proof, but they’re improving:

• Spotify: Settings → Content Restrictions → Disable Explicit Content, then lock it with a PIN via Family Link or Screen Time.
• Apple Music: Screen Time → Content & Privacy → Music, Podcasts & News → Clean.
• YouTube Music: Pair with a supervised Google Account or YouTube Kids.
• Amazon Music: Alexa App → Settings → Music → Explicit Filter (set per device).

Rather than aiming for perfect control, use these as conversation starters — “Let’s keep your playlist clean for school” goes further than silent restrictions.

5. Build Better Listening Habits

Music is personal — which is why shared accounts can feel tricky. Instead of checking what your child listens to, listen with them. Create shared playlists, trade weekly picks, and make “Music Hour” a regular family moment. It’s less about policing taste and more about understanding their world.

In Short

Managing music subscriptions doesn’t need to be a chore. One family plan can cut costs, filters can protect young ears, and playlists can move with you. With a few minutes of setup, you can turn streaming confusion into calm — and keep the whole house in tune.