How to activate Amazon Music with Prime (complete guide)

Do you have Amazon Prime and want to enjoy Amazon Music without paying for an additional subscription? Good news: Amazon Music Prime is included in Prime. All you need to do is log in with the right account and use the app (or website) correctly.

In this guide, we see:

• What's included with Amazon Music Prime (and what's not),
• how to activate it on your phone, computer, TV/Fire TV, and Alexa,
• how to check your plan (Prime vs. Unlimited),
• What should you do if Amazon Music asks you to pay even though you already have Prime?

1) Amazon Music with Prime: what you really get

Amazon Music Prime: included with Amazon Prime

With Prime, you get access to Amazon Music Prime (music + podcasts, at no extra cost).

Depending on the country and service updates, the Prime experience may include:

• a vast catalog of titles and podcasts,
• listening often focused on shuffle/radio stations/playlists (playing "exact tracks on demand" is generally more limited than on Unlimited).

Amazon Music Unlimited: a paid subscription service (often offered in the app)

Amazon Music Unlimited is the "premium" offer: more comprehensive access to on-demand playback + additional options depending on the offer. It is a paid service, even for Prime members (sometimes with a preferential rate or trial periods).

Key point: If the app prompts you to upgrade to Unlimited, it doesn't mean that Prime isn't working—it just means that Amazon is offering you an upgrade.

2) Requirements before activating Amazon Music Prime

Before you begin, check these three points (this will prevent 80% of problems):

1. Your Amazon Prime membership is active on the correct Amazon account (the one you use to log in).
2. You use the same Amazon ID everywhere (Amazon website, Amazon Music app, Alexa if needed).
3. You are in a country where the Prime/Music offer matches your account (e.g., "France" Prime with a "France" account).

3) How to activate Amazon Music with Prime on mobile (Android/iPhone)

This is the most common method.

1. Install the Amazon Music app (App Store / Google Play).
2. Open the app and log in with your Amazon Prime account (same email/phone number as Prime).
3. Once logged in, go to Settings (often via your profile/gear icon).
4. Look for a section titled Your Plan/Account to check what is indicated (Premium vs. Unlimited).
5. Start a playlist, radio station, or featured selection: if Prime is active, you should be able to listen without subscribing to Unlimited.

Tip: If you have multiple Amazon accounts (professional/personal, old email addresses), log out and then log back in with the one that has Prime.

4) Activate Amazon Music Prime on your computer (PC/Mac)

You can use it without the app, directly on the web:

1. Open Amazon Music in your browser (Amazon Music website).
2. Sign in with the account that has Prime.
3. Start a playlist/radio station/album depending on what is available in your Prime plan.

If you have any doubts about your plan, the Amazon help pages clearly describe the difference between Amazon Music Prime (included) and Unlimited (paid).

5) Activate Amazon Music with Prime on Alexa/Echo

If you use Alexa:

1. Open the Alexa app.
2. Make sure you are logged into the same Amazon account as your Prime account.
3. In the Music settings, set Amazon Music as the default service if necessary.
4. Try a simple command: "Alexa, play some music" or "Alexa, start a playlist."

Please note: Amazon imposes limits on the number of devices allowed on a single account (useful if you have many connected speakers/phones).

6) Common issues: “Amazon Music is asking me to pay even though I have Prime.”

6.1 You are not logged into the correct account

This is the number one cause. Check the email/phone number in:

• the Amazon Shopping app (Prime),
• the Amazon Music app,
• the Alexa app (if applicable).

6.2 You are confusing Prime and Unlimited

Prime gives you access to Amazon Music Prime (included). Unlimited remains a paid service, although Prime may offer price discounts/trials depending on the period.

6.3 You have reached the limit of authorized devices

If you have changed phones/tablets frequently or added multiple devices, remember to deauthorize the old ones (Amazon mentions a limit on the number of authorized devices).

6.4 App bug: cache, updates, reconnection

Fixes that often work:

• Update Amazon Music,
• clear cache/storage (Android),
• log out / log back in,
• Restart the device.

7) Amazon Music Prime: Can you listen offline?

Depending on the features available, Amazon Music may allow offline listening via the app, particularly on mobile devices (downloads within the app). For exact details based on your plan and devices, the Amazon help pages on Amazon Music and device access are the most reliable source of information.

8) Good tip: optimize costs if you switch to Amazon Music Unlimited

If you use music a lot, you may eventually want to consider Amazon Music Unlimited (more flexible playback, etc.). In this case, look into multi-user/family plans when they are available.

More generally, if you pay for several digital subscriptions (music, streaming, productivity, etc.), the cost quickly adds up. A simple solution is to legally split the cost of subscriptions that allow it through co-subscription: Spliiit connects owners and co-subscribers and manages payments securely, avoiding manual transfers and forgotten payments.

FAQ — Activate Amazon Music with Prime

Is Amazon Music included with Amazon Prime?

Yes, Amazon Music Prime is included with your Amazon Prime membership (at no extra cost).

Why is Amazon Music offering me Amazon Music Unlimited?

Because Unlimited is a paid service "above" Prime. Prime includes Amazon Music Prime, but Unlimited offers additional options and can be promoted in the app.

How can I check if I am on Prime and not Unlimited?

In the Amazon Music app, go to Settings / Account / Your plan (the wording may vary). On the web, your Amazon Music account will usually show the associated plan.

I have Prime, but it doesn't work on Alexa. What should I do?

Make sure the Alexa app is connected to the same Amazon account as Prime, then check the Music settings. If you have too many authorized devices, deauthorize the old ones.

Key points to remember

• Amazon Music Prime is easy to activate: install Amazon Music and log in with the Amazon account that has Prime.
• If the app asks you to pay, it is often due to an incorrect account, confusion between Prime and Unlimited, or an issue with authorized devices.
• If you upgrade to Unlimited (or have multiple subscriptions), consider optimizing your budget by sharing eligible subscriptions via a co-subscription solution such as Spliiit.

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