How to add Apple Music to your Memories in iOS 15

It’s safe to say that the choice of background music for Apple’s Memories feature has always been a bit corny. Memories, for those who are unaware, curates images in your Photos app to create montages. So it’s great that, with iOS 15, users will have the ability to select their own backing tracks.

Sadly, the new feature only works with Apple Music. Those who use third-party music services, like Spotify or Pandora, will have to sign up for a subscription to Apple’s very own music service. Then, you’ll be able to search for songs directly through the Photos app.

Here’s a breakdown of how to add Apple Music to your Memories in iOS 15, which officially launched on Sept. 20, 2021.

Open the Photos app

Open that Photos app.
Credit: screenshot / apple

You’ll want to start by opening the Photos app since that’s where the Memories live — ha, see what I did there?

Tap on the “For You” tab

Head to the “For You” tab.

Credit: screenshot / apple

Your Memories will be at the top.

Credit: Screenshot / apple

Once the Photos app is open, tab on the “For You” tab on the bottom. From there, you’ll see the “Memories” tab at the top.

Pick your Memory

You can scroll through all of your different Memories.

Credit: Screenshot / apple

Pick your preferred one.

Credit: screenshot / apple

Within the “Memories” tab, you can pick whichever compilation it is that you want to edit by tapping on it.

Choose your music

Tap on the music icon to access the ability to add tunes.
Credit: screenshot / appe

Once you’ve decided on a Memory, tap on the display and a menu will appear. Then, tap on the music icon located in the lower left-hand corner.

The second music icon will bring you to Apple Music.
Credit: screenshot / apple

Another music icon — this time with a plus sign icon attached — will appear. Tap on it and you’ll see the Apple Music window pop up.

You can search for whatever song you’d like to use.
Credit: screenshot / apple

You can either manually search for specific songs and artists, scroll through Top Suggestions, or pick a song that’s already in your Music library. Then, press “Done” and you can preview what it sounds like in the background of your Memory.

When you swipe to the left, you can also preview other recommended songs that are pulled from Apple Music’s Top Suggestions.

Once you’ve picked a final song, tap on the Memory and it’ll automatically save it to the Memory. You can also edit the song any time by tapping on the music icons to access Apple Music.

This article originally published and in July 2021 and was updated in Sept. 2021.