How to Remove Followers on Apple Music: The Definitive Guide

So, you’re looking to curate your Apple Music audience, are you? Smart move. While the default setting makes your listening activity somewhat public, you have the power to control who sees what. Let’s get straight to it: you can’t directly remove followers on Apple Music in the traditional sense. Unlike other social media platforms, there isn’t a “remove follower” button. Instead, you have two primary options to manage who can follow you and see your listening activity: making your profile private or blocking specific users. We’ll delve into each strategy in detail, giving you the ultimate control over your Apple Music experience.

Making Your Profile Private: The Nuclear Option

The simplest and most effective way to prevent unwanted followers is to make your Apple Music profile private. This essentially closes the door to everyone except those you specifically approve. Here’s how to do it:

1. Open Apple Music: Launch the Music app on your iPhone, iPad, or Android device.
2. Access Your Profile: Tap the “Listen Now” tab at the bottom of the screen. Then, tap your profile icon (usually a photo or initial) in the upper right corner.
3. Navigate to Settings: On your profile page, tap the three dots (ellipsis) in the upper right corner.
4. Privacy Settings: Select “Edit” (or “View Profile” then “Edit” if you’re on an older iOS version).
5. Toggle Privacy: Find the “Following” section and toggle the “Shared Playlists” and “Listening To” options OFF.

Important Note: Turning these options off makes your entire profile private. People won’t be able to see who you’re following, what playlists you’ve created (unless you choose to share them individually), or what music you’re currently listening to. This also means new users will need your explicit approval to follow you.

Blocking Individual Users: A Targeted Approach

If you want to maintain a public profile but prevent specific individuals from following you, blocking them is the answer. This method doesn’t notify the blocked user, but it effectively prevents them from seeing your profile or following you. Here’s the process:

1. Find the User: Search for the user you want to block within Apple Music using the search bar.
2. Go to Their Profile: Tap on their name to navigate to their profile page.
3. Block Them: On their profile page, tap the three dots (ellipsis) in the upper right corner.
4. Select Block: Choose the “Block” option. Apple Music may ask you to confirm this action.

Key Consideration: Blocking someone only prevents them from seeing your activity going forward. They might still have screenshots or recollections of your past activity. Also, remember you can unblock users if you change your mind by repeating the process and selecting “Unblock.”

Understanding the Implications

Before you implement either of these strategies, consider the implications. Making your profile private restricts your interactions with other users. Blocking users can be a more targeted approach, but requires more effort. Choose the method that best aligns with your desired level of privacy and control over your Apple Music experience. The power is truly in your hands.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. If I make my profile private, will my existing followers automatically be removed?

No. Making your profile private doesn’t automatically remove your existing followers. They will still be listed as followers until they unfollow you themselves. However, they won’t be able to see any new activity from you unless you approve their follow request after making your profile private.

2. Can I see a list of people who follow me on Apple Music?

Yes. Go to your profile in the Apple Music app. Under your profile picture and name, you’ll see the number of followers you have. Tap on that number to see a list of accounts that are following you. This helps you identify who you might want to block if necessary.

3. How do I know if someone has blocked me on Apple Music?

Apple Music doesn’t explicitly notify you if someone has blocked you. However, if you try to access their profile and see nothing or are unable to follow them, it’s a strong indication that you have been blocked.

4. Will blocking someone on Apple Music prevent them from seeing my shared playlists?

Yes, blocking someone prevents them from seeing any of your shared playlists going forward. However, if they’ve already downloaded or added your playlist to their library before you blocked them, they will still have access to that playlist.

5. Does making my profile private affect my ability to follow other users?

No. Making your profile private only affects who can see your activity. You can still follow other users and see their public profiles, playlists, and listening activity, provided they haven’t blocked you or made their own profiles private.

6. Is there a way to approve or deny follow requests on Apple Music?

Yes, but only if your profile is private. Once you make your profile private, new users who try to follow you will send a follow request. You’ll see these requests in your profile settings, and you can choose to approve or deny them.

7. If I unblock someone, will they automatically start following me again?

No. Unblocking someone doesn’t automatically make them follow you again. They would have to manually choose to follow you, assuming your profile is public or you approve their request if your profile is private.

8. How often can I block users on Apple Music? Is there a limit?

While Apple doesn’t explicitly state a daily or monthly limit on blocking users, it’s generally advisable to use the blocking feature judiciously. Excessive blocking could potentially trigger security measures. Focus on the users creating the most disruption or privacy concerns.

9. Can I manage my Apple Music followers on a computer (Mac or PC)?

Yes, you can manage your Apple Music privacy settings (making your profile private) on a computer through the iTunes application (or the Music app on macOS Catalina and later). However, blocking individual users is generally easier to do on a mobile device.

10. What’s the difference between hiding a playlist and making my profile private?

Hiding a playlist only prevents that specific playlist from being visible to others. It doesn’t affect your overall profile privacy or prevent people from seeing other playlists you’ve shared or your listening activity. Making your profile private restricts all of your activity and shared content from being seen by anyone except those you approve.

11. If I delete my Apple Music account, what happens to my followers and who I’m following?

Deleting your Apple Music account will remove all of your data, including your followers, who you’re following, your playlists, and your listening history. It’s a permanent action, so be absolutely sure before proceeding.

12. How do I report abusive or harassing behavior on Apple Music?

While you can block users to prevent them from interacting with you, if you experience abusive or harassing behavior on Apple Music, it’s important to report it directly to Apple. You can typically find reporting options within the user’s profile or by contacting Apple Support. Provide as much detail as possible, including screenshots and specific examples of the behavior.