How Audi’s Apple Music integration works

Apple Music will be available directly from the infotainment systems used in select 2022 models from German automotive manufacturer Audi.

Apple Music, integrated in Audi's Multi-Media Interface screen, is showcased in this press photo
Image credit: Audi
  • Audi has announced that its cars will come with Apple Music integration, allowing drivers to use Apple’s music service from the car’s infotainment systems.
  • This feature will be available in nearly all 2022 models sold in Europe, North America and Japan, the German carmaker said.
  • Because Apple Music is integrated natively, you don’t need an iPhone or CarPlay support (which Audi also supports) to use it.

Audi announces Apple Music integration

Native integration lets you stream Apple Music in compatible 2022 models from Audi. No iPhone is required and you get direct access to 90 million songs, 30,000 expert-curated playlists and Apple Music radio. Owners of compatible vehicles will be able to access their Apple Music subscription from Audi’s Multi-Media Interface screen. Read: How to listen to music on your Apple Watch

Which Audi models support Apple Music integration?

“Nearly all Audi vehicles” sold in Europe, North America and Japan, starting with the 2022 model year, feature this integration out of the box, according to a post on the Audi MediaCenter page. As for existing Audi vehicles already on the road, those will receive Apple Music integration via an automatic over-the-air update.

How to activate Apple Music on Audi infotainment systems

Apple Music's native integration in Audi's 2022 models is showcased in this press photo, with the Now Playing interface displayed on a car's Multi-Media Interface screen
Image credit: Audi

If your car is the model year 2022 and has Apple Music integrated, launch the Apple Music app from the car’s infotainment system. You’ll need to log in with your Apple ID and provide a verification code sent to your phone to use Apple Music.

How does Audi’s Apple Music integration work?

Audi explains:

The new Apple Music integration allows customers to access their personal Apple Music account directly from the Audi infotainment system, with no Bluetooth or USB required. After linking an active subscription to the vehicle, Apple Music subscribers can access Apple Music’s full catalog of 90 million songs and tens of thousands of playlists, including hundreds of new mood and activity playlists, personalized mixes and genre stations—all ad-free.

Does Audi support Apple Music recommendations?

Apple Music's native integration in Audi's 2022 models is showcased in this press photo, with the For You section displayed on a car's Multi-Media Interface screen
Image credit: Audi

Yes, the experience includes Apple Music’s personalized recommendations to help drivers discover new music based on their listening preferences.

Does Apple Music use Audi’s sound system?

Apple Music's native integration in Audi's 2022 models is showcased in this press photo, with the Apple Music Radio section displayed on a car's Multi-Media Interface screen
Image credit: Audi

Yes, Apple Music integration takes full advantage of Audi’s custom architecture built on computational audio which promises to deliver impressive sound quality.

Sound design goes even further to create the ultimate acoustic experience. This is where the Audi sound developers adjust the frequency response to create the typical, but still subjective, Audi sound. Audi has been working with Bang & Olufsen in this context for many years, which has resulted in the development of some exceptional sound systems, such as the B&O Premium Sound System with 3D sound in the Audi e-tron GT1 Here, 16 speakers including 3D sound speakers, a center speaker and a subwoofer deliver impressive audio.

The system can control signals from individual speakers with an individual time offset, which helps the sound from each speaker reach the listener simultaneously.

What about CarPlay support?

Apple Music's native integration in Audi's 2022 models is showcased in this press photo, with the Library section displayed on a car's Multi-Media Interface screen
Image credit: Audi

Because Apple Music is natively integrated with Audi’s infotainment systems, CarPlay support isn’t required. You don’t even need to carry an iPhone in your pocket to use Apple Music from your Audi vehicle’s infotainment system. But still, Audi vehicles do come with CarPlay support which allows drivers to do things like get directions optimized for traffic, make calls, send and receive messages and enjoy music. CarPlay requires an iPhone connected to your car wirelessly or via USB. Read: How to use the route planner in Apple Maps on Mac

But who pays for your cellular data?

Apple Music integration uses Audi’s in-car internet data. Audi owners in Europe will get the first three gigabytes free of charge. Once you get past that, charges will incur. “For Audi owners in Europe, cellular data streaming costs incurred are conveniently billed via a data package available from Cubic-Telekom,” says Audi.