How to Gift a Song on iTunes: The Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide

There is nothing quite like sharing a track that reminds you of someone, or introducing a friend to your current obsession. Whether it is an upbeat anthem for a road trip or a ballad for a special milestone, gifting a song through Apple’s ecosystem is a thoughtful way to brighten someone’s day.

If you want to send a musical surprise, here is everything you need to know about how to gift a song seamlessly.

Important Things to Know Before You Begin

Before jumping into the steps, keep these quick guidelines in mind to ensure a smooth gifting process:

• Device Requirement: To gift an individual song, you will need to use a Mac or a Windows PC. (While you can gift whole albums or apps directly from mobile devices, individual song gifting requires a computer).
• Region Match: The recipient must have an Apple Account (Apple ID) registered in the same country or region as yours (for example, if you are buying in the U.S., your friend must also have a U.S. account).
• Payment Source: Gifts are billed directly to your primary payment method on file (like a credit card), rather than any pre-existing Apple Account balance.

Step-by-Step Instructions: Gifting a Song from a Computer

Whether you are on a Mac or a Windows PC, the process is straightforward:

1. Open the App: Launch the Apple Music app (on modern macOS or Windows) or the traditional iTunes app if applicable.
2. Navigate to the Store: Click on the iTunes Store tab from the sidebar or top menu.
3. Find the Track: Use the search bar in the top-right corner to look up the song you want to give.
4. Select the Gift Option:
   • Locate the song in your search results.
   • Look right next to the song’s price and click the drop-down arrow (or share button icon).
   • Choose “Gift This Song” from the menu.
5. Fill Out the Details:
   • Enter the recipient’s email address (make sure it’s the email they use for their Apple Account).
   • Add a custom, personal message if you’d like.
   • Choose a delivery date (you can send it immediately or schedule it for a later date, like a birthday).
6. Confirm and Send: Review your choices, complete the purchase authentication, and hit send!

What Happens Next?

Once sent, your recipient will receive an email notification containing a “Redeem” button. As soon as they click it, the song will automatically download straight to their device, ready to be added to their library.

If they happen to miss the email or run into trouble, you can always head into your account settings on your computer under Purchase History > Manage Gifts to resend the link.