Who Owns Apple Music?
Apple Music is owned by Apple Inc., an independent publicly traded American technology company. As of 2026, Apple Music has 108 million paying subscribers globally and generates approximately $10.5 billion in annual revenue. Apple Music operates as a service within Apple's Services division, and Apple is publicly traded on the NASDAQ stock exchange under ticker AAPL.
Parent Company
Apple Inc.
Founded
2015
Status
Publicly Traded
Headquarters
Cupertino, California, USA
Who Owns Apple Music?
- Parent Company: Apple Inc.
- Ownership Type: Service division
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock Ticker: NASDAQ: AAPL
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| Apple Music | Apple Inc. | Service division |
History of Apple Music
- Founded: 2015
- Founders: Apple Inc. (internal development)
Apple Music was launched on June 30, 2015, as Apple's response to the growing music streaming market dominated by Spotify and other services. The service was developed internally by Apple as an evolution of its previous music offerings, including the iTunes Store and iTunes Radio. This strategic entry into the music streaming market represented Apple's recognition of the fundamental shift in consumer music consumption from digital ownership to streaming access, and its desire to create a premium music service that could leverage the company's expertise in user experience design and ecosystem integration.
The launch of Apple Music marked a significant shift in Apple's music strategy, moving from digital music ownership to streaming access. The service combined on-demand streaming with curated playlists, radio stations, and social features allowing artists to connect with fans. This comprehensive approach demonstrated Apple's understanding that music consumers wanted more than just access to songs—they wanted discovery, curation, and community features that could enhance their music experience while maintaining the high-quality standards that consumers expect from Apple products and services.
Throughout 2015 and 2016, Apple Music expanded rapidly, reaching millions of subscribers and securing exclusive content from major artists. The service introduced features like Beats 1 radio (later renamed Apple Music 1), curated playlists by music experts, and integration with Apple's Siri voice assistant. This rapid growth showcased Apple's ability to leverage its existing customer relationships and device ecosystem to quickly scale a new service while competing effectively with established streaming platforms that had been in the market for years.
In the late 2010s and early 2020s, Apple Music continued to innovate with features like spatial audio with Dolby Atmos, lossless audio quality, and enhanced discovery algorithms. The service also expanded its original content offerings, including exclusive albums, documentaries, and concert films. This continuous innovation demonstrated Apple's commitment to advancing the music streaming experience through technological improvements and content investments that could differentiate Apple Music from competitors while maintaining the company's focus on premium quality and user experience across all product categories.
About Apple Inc.
What does Apple own?
Apple owns the iPhone, Mac, iPad, Apple Watch, AirPods, HomePod, and Apple Vision Pro hardware product lines, as well as software platforms including iOS, macOS, and watchOS. Apple's services portfolio includes the App Store, Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, Apple Fitness+, iCloud, and Apple Pay. Apple also owns Beats Electronics, acquired in 2014 for $3 billion.
Is Apple publicly traded?
Yes. Apple trades on NASDAQ under the ticker symbol AAPL. The company went public in December 1980. Apple is one of the most widely held stocks globally.
Who founded Apple?
Apple was founded on April 1, 1976, by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne. Steve Jobs led the company through its most transformative periods, including the launch of the iPhone in 2007. Tim Cook has served as CEO since Jobs' death in October 2011.
Where is Apple headquartered?
Apple is headquartered in Cupertino, California, at its Apple Park campus, which opened in 2017.
Who owns Apple?
Apple has no controlling shareholder. The company is publicly traded with shares distributed among institutional investors, mutual funds, and individual shareholders. Vanguard, BlackRock, Berkshire Hathaway, and State Street are among the largest shareholders through index fund and direct holdings.
What is Apple's revenue?
For Q1 fiscal 2026 (ended December 27, 2025), Apple reported revenue of $143.8 billion, up 16% year over year, with net income of $42.1 billion. For fiscal year 2025 (ended September 2025), Apple reported annual revenue of approximately $391 billion.
What is Apple Intelligence?
Apple Intelligence is Apple's suite of AI features integrated into iOS, iPadOS, and macOS, introduced in 2024. It includes writing tools, image generation, enhanced Siri capabilities, and on-device AI processing using the Neural Engine in Apple's M-series and A-series chips. Apple Intelligence emphasizes on-device processing for privacy, with some features using Apple's Private Cloud Compute for tasks requiring more processing power.
What antitrust cases is Apple facing?
The U.S. Department of Justice filed an antitrust lawsuit against Apple in March 2024, alleging that Apple illegally maintains a smartphone monopoly. The EU's Digital Markets Act requires Apple to allow alternative app stores and payment systems in the EU. Epic Games' antitrust case resulted in a ruling requiring Apple to allow developers to direct users to external payment methods. These cases were ongoing or being implemented as of February 2026.
- Founded: 1976
- Headquarters: Cupertino, California, USA
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock: NASDAQ: AAPL
Where Is Apple Music Made / Based?
- Headquarters: Cupertino, California, USA
- Manufacturing / Operations: United States, Ireland, Singapore, Japan
Brands Owned by Apple Inc.
- AirPods - Apple's wireless earbuds and audio products providing seamless connectivity and ...
- App Store - Apple's digital distribution platform for applications, games, and digital conte...
- Apple Arcade - Apple's gaming subscription service providing access to premium games and exclus...
- Apple Fitness+ - Apple's fitness and workout subscription service providing guided workouts and h...
- Apple Pay - Apple's mobile payment and digital wallet service enabling contactless payments ...
- Apple TV - Digital media player and streaming service developed by Apple Inc., offering acc...
- Beats - Audio equipment brand specializing in headphones and speakers, owned by Apple In...
- HomePod - Apple's smart speaker and voice-controlled home device providing audio, smart ho...
- iCloud - Apple's cloud storage and synchronization service providing data backup, file st...
- iPhone - Smartphone product line developed and marketed by Apple Inc....
- MacBook - Line of laptop computers designed and marketed by Apple Inc....
- Siri - Apple's voice assistant and AI-powered intelligent assistant providing voice com...
Apple Music Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Deep integration with Apple's ecosystem of devices and services
- +High-quality audio features including spatial audio and lossless streaming
- +Strong brand recognition and marketing power from Apple
- +Access to Apple's massive user base and device distribution
- +Curated content and exclusive artist partnerships
Considerations
- -Higher subscription price compared to some competing services
- -Limited availability on non-Apple platforms
- -Dependence on Apple's ecosystem strategy and priorities
- -Competition from established players like Spotify and Amazon Music
- -Need to balance artist compensation with subscription revenue
Frequently Asked Questions About Apple Music
Where to Buy
Disclosure: We may earn commission from purchases
Apple Music on AmazonCompetitors to Apple Music
These competing brands operate in the same categories and provide similar products or services. Compare key attributes to understand market positioning and competitive landscape.
| Brand | Parent Company | Country | Founded | Market Position | Primary Market | Gender Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon | USA | 2007 | Mass Market | North America | All Genders | |
| Alphabet | USA | 2015 | Mass Market | North America | All Genders |
Learn More About Competitors
Amazon Music
Owned by Amazon.com Inc.
American music streaming service developed and operated by Amazon.com Inc.
YouTube Music
Owned by Alphabet Inc.
American music streaming service developed and operated by YouTube, a subsidiary of Google and Alphabet Inc.
Competitive Analysis
Market Positioning: Apple Music competes with 2 brands in the same categories, ranging from mass market to luxury positioning.
Geographic Distribution: Competitors are headquartered across multiple regions, indicating global competition in this market segment.
Brand Heritage: Competitor brands range from established heritage brands to newer market entrants, with founding years spanning several decades.
Apple Inc. Stock Information
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