APPLE MUSIC RELEASE GUIDE

How to get your music on Apple Music

To release music on Apple Music with DistroBolt, prepare your recording and release information, submit through your approved DistroBolt account, confirm Apple Music delivery and check the published release. Claiming an artist profile is a separate step: Apple Music for Artists helps you manage your presence and understand listeners, but it is not the ordinary audio-delivery route.

This guide covers a first release, an existing artist page and moving an established catalogue. Delivery, profile access and royalty reporting have different checks and timelines.

Apply for DistroBolt access

Already approved? Open the audio-release page in your account. Review your existing plan before starting another subscription.

1. Prepare the files, information and rights

Audio: use the approved finished master and the lossless format requested by the current upload form. Check the correct mix, full ending, track order and any clean or explicit versions.
Artwork: supply clear artwork matching the release, with permission for its use. The current DistroBolt form specifies square artwork of at least 3000 × 3000 pixels, JPG/JPEG/PNG in RGB, no larger than 10 MB. Do not enlarge a small image just to meet the dimensions. Check the current form before upload; these are DistroBolt intake requirements, not a claim that every Apple asset type uses identical specifications.
Metadata: prepare exact track and release titles, artist roles, contributors, label name, language, explicit-content information, original release date where relevant and your intended availability date.
Artist identity: keep the correct Apple Music artist-page link, if one exists. Check the actual catalogue on that page, not just the displayed name.
Rights: confirm permission for the recording, composition uses, artwork, samples, covers and collaborators as applicable. Clear an uncertain licence before submission.

Common avoidable problems include a title that differs between artwork and metadata, the wrong audio version, missing contributor roles, a featured artist entered as the main artist, and selecting another artist's profile. Missing rights or inaccurate information can cause correction requests. Do not solve these by repeatedly uploading competing versions.

Example: two artists both use the name “North Avenue”. If your earlier single appears on one page, save that page's link and one existing release link. A name match alone is not enough to identify the intended artist.

Use the full release checklist and artist-profile mapping guide for detailed preparation.

2. Submit through your DistroBolt account

Use the audio-release route. The verified portal entry is New Release → Audio Release, opening Create New Release. Follow the current form and its requirements rather than an old screenshot.
Enter the release details and assets. Review every track and credit. Use your own intended label name; DistroBolt's white label is included automatically.
Check Apple Music delivery. The verified release Services list labels the destination group Apple Music / iTunes / Shazam. Before submitting, confirm that Apple Music is included in your release's intended destinations. Store-selection controls can depend on the account and release. If you cannot find or confirm Apple Music, ask DistroBolt before submitting; do not assume a particular checkbox is selected by default.
Confirm the artist page. Have your existing Apple Music artist link ready and check the relevant artist-matching information available in the form. If the field or proposed page is unclear, send the correct page and existing release links to DistroBolt for guidance. Do not invent an artist ID. For a first release, explain that there is no existing page rather than choosing a similar name.
Review, then submit. Check dates, rights, explicit labels, assets and intended profiles. Resolve any requests for corrections and retain the release reference.

A DistroBolt application, a subscription payment and a release submission are separate events. New customers need account approval; paying for Premium does not instantly create or activate distribution access.

3. Separate submission, delivery and Apple's processing

DistroBolt's release checks and delivery happen before or alongside Apple's own processing. A release marked submitted is not proof that it has reached Apple or is live. A requested date remains subject to complete materials, correction requests, delivery and platform processing.

Prepare early. We do not guarantee a specific Apple Music live date, playlist placement or uninterrupted availability. Once available, check the Apple Music link, playable tracks, titles, artwork and correct artist page. If something is missing or incorrect, contact DistroBolt with your release reference and links. Apple routes delivered audio and metadata issues through the distributor or label; do not expect profile access to replace a delivery correction.

4. Claim and use Apple Music for Artists

Apple currently requires content to have been live for at least five business days before an artist page can be claimed. That eligibility period is not a release-delivery estimate or a promise of claim approval.

Open Apple Music for Artists on the web or iOS and sign in with your Apple Account.
Choose Request Artist Access, find the artist using its page or album link and select an album that identifies the correct primary artist.
Provide your role and the requested verification information. A featured-only credit does not qualify you to claim that primary artist's page.
Check the application status and Apple's emails. Artists or artist managers claim the page; label representatives work with an authorised artist administrator for access.

After approval, available tools include listener analytics, artist-image updates, lyrics and promotional features, subject to Apple's permissions and requirements. Release metadata changes still go through your distributor. Never share Apple Account passwords or verification codes in a DistroBolt request.

5. Understand fees, recording income and reporting

DistroBolt's standard distribution offer is 90% to the artist side and 10% to DistroBolt on the applicable distribution revenue. Essential costs €3.98 per single per year or €8.98 per EP/album per year. Premium costs €9 per month or €69 per year and replaces annual Essential release fees while active. The standard revenue share applies to both plans; the subscription is separate from the share.

For an illustrative €100 applicable royalty amount, the standard allocation is €90 to the artist side and €10 to DistroBolt. This is not a promised Apple Music per-stream amount or a bank-payment forecast. Use the actual statement and agreement for the accounting basis, currency and other applicable treatment.

Apple Music activity, distributor statements and bank payments are different stages. Reporting and payment timing vary; analytics are not a payable balance. Recording income is also separate from songwriter and publishing royalties for the composition. Check publishing/collecting arrangements separately; distribution does not automatically collect every right.

Read royalty reporting and payouts, current distribution prices and Premium renewal and activation terms. Optional Marketplace work and practical catalogue-transfer assistance are separate from distribution.

Practical Apple Music questions

Do I need an Apple Music artist page before my first release?

You can prepare a first release without an existing artist page. Tell DistroBolt that this is a first release and check the identity details. Claiming access through Apple Music for Artists follows publication and Apple's eligibility requirements.

My music is on the wrong Apple Music artist page. What should I do?

Keep links to the affected albums and correct artist page. Send them to DistroBolt. Apple's support also has an Artist Catalog Issues route; having profile access does not mean you should remove or duplicate a live release yourself.

Can I move existing Apple Music releases to DistroBolt?

Yes, start with a catalogue assessment or the self-service transfer guide. Gather original files, credits, existing identifiers and artist links. Coordinate the new delivery and checks before old delivery removal. Stream counts, library/playlists, links and continuous availability cannot be guaranteed.

Should I use a new ISRC when I change distributor?

An unchanged recording normally keeps its existing ISRC; changing distributor alone does not make it a new recording. Save the release's UPC/EAN separately. Check remixes, edits or changed recordings before reusing a code. Read the ISRC and transfer guide.

Can I change a release date or title inside Apple Music for Artists?

Apple directs delivered release-date, title and text-formatting changes through your distributor or label. Contact DistroBolt with the release reference and requested correction; do not assume an artist-profile edit updates the audio release.

Does Apple Music for Artists replace royalty statements?

No. Use it to understand available listener activity and your artist presence. Use DistroBolt's statements for the recording income reported through your distribution agreement; ask about the service and period if figures differ.

Prepare your Apple Music release with DistroBolt.

Start with accurate files, rights and artist information. If a destination or artist link is unclear, talk to DistroBolt before submission.

Apply for DistroBolt access

Already approved? Open your audio-release page · Read the release checklist

DistroBolt · Updated 3 November 2026. Review current plan terms and platform requirements before submitting or paying.