How to See Apple Music Lyrics with Translation and Pronunciation

By Adam Gorden Updated on October 13, 2025

view lyrics in apple music

Have you ever been listening to a song and realized you didn't catch every word?

Apple Music Lyrics solves that problem. It scrolls the words in real time, so you can follow along without missing a beat. You can even sing along, learn new songs, or just make sure you understand every line.

The lyrics come from Musixmatch, a community-driven platform where trusted users contribute and edit content. Sometimes, the artist or record label provides lyrics directly, which can override user edits. Either way, the system keeps things accurate most of the time.

You can see lyrics on iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV, and now even check translations and pronunciations for lines you don't quite understand. It's a small update, but it makes listening feel more interactive. Once you start using it, you'll wonder how you ever got along without it.

Part 1. How Apple Music Lyrics Work

Apple Music's Lyrics feature lets you view lyrics directly in the app, making your listening experience more engaging. Powered by Musixmatch, it offers two main types of displays: full lyrics and time-synced lyrics.

  • icon

    Full Lyrics (Static Lyrics):

    Full lyrics show the entire set of words for a song, making it easy to sing along or fully understand the meaning. This view is available on devices like iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Windows PC.

  • icon

    Time-Synced Lyrics:

    Time-synced lyrics highlight each line in real time as the song plays, helping you stay in sync with the music. This interactive feature is available on select tracks.

Part 2. How to Get Lyrics on Apple Music

Getting lyrics on Apple Music isn't always straightforward. Not every song includes them, and time-synced versions aren't guaranteed. Sometimes, the Lyrics button is greyed out, leaving you wondering why. The good news is that there are a few things you can check.

Note
  1. Check Your Subscription: You need an active Apple Music subscription to view synced lyrics. Free trials or locally stored songs typically don't support them.
  2. Update Your Device and App: Lyrics are available on iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, Apple Watch, and Android. Make sure your Apple Music app and system software are up to date if you want newer features like translation or pronunciation (available on iOS 26 and later).
  3. Confirm Song Availability: Only tracks prepared by Apple include synced lyrics. If the Lyrics button on the Now Playing screen is greyed out, that song doesn't support lyrics.
  4. Stay Connected and Check Region Settings: Some lyric features require an internet connection or vary by language and region. Downloaded songs may store cached lyrics, but live updates like translations need online access.
  5. Try Apple Music Sing: For a more interactive experience, try Apple Music Sing to perform solo or duet karaoke with animated lyrics. Not all devices support it, but it's a fun way to enjoy your music.

All of this is powered by Musixmatch, a community-driven platform where trusted users contribute and edit lyrics. This ensures Apple Music displays accurate, synchronized lyrics in real time. You can follow along on your device, search for songs by lyrics, and even check corrections on Musixmatch if needed.

Get Apple Music Lyrics on Musixmatch Instead:

musixmatch apple music lyrics

If you want another way to see lyrics, try the Musixmatch app. Download it, log in, and link your Apple Music account. It detects your currently playing songs and recently played tracks, showing synchronized lyrics, translations, and scrolling lines for a fully interactive experience.

Part 3. How to View Lyrics on Apple Music

Viewing lyrics while listening to your favorite tracks on Apple Music is simple across all your devices. Here's how to access them:

On iPhone and iPad:

ios music lyrics button

  1. Unlock your device and open the Apple Music app.
  2. Select a song from your library or browse for a new one.
  3. Tap the song's artwork to open the Now Playing screen.
  4. Tap the Lyrics button at the bottom-left corner.
  5. View the time-synced lyrics as the song plays.
  6. Toggle between full lyrics and time-synced lyrics if the song supports both.

On Android:

  1. Open the Apple Music app on your Android device.
  2. Play a song from your library or search for one.
  3. Tap the song's artwork to open the Now Playing screen.
  4. Tap the Lyrics button at the bottom of the screen.
  5. Follow along with the time-synced lyrics if available.

On PC or Mac (Apple Music App or iTunes):

mac music lyrics button

  1. Open the Apple Music app or iTunes on your computer.
  2. Select a song from your library or browse for one.
  3. Locate the Lyrics button near the playback controls.
  4. Click the Lyrics button to display full or time-synced lyrics.
  5. Toggle between full lyrics and time-synced lyrics if available.

On the Web (Apple Music Website):

  1. Visit the Apple Music website and log in to your account.
  2. Play a song from your library or search for one.
  3. Click the Lyrics button that appears during playback.
  4. View the time-synced lyrics or full lyrics, depending on availability.

On Apple TV:

  1. Open the Apple Music app on your Apple TV.
  2. Play a song from your library or explore new music.
  3. Locate the Lyrics button on the right side of the screen.
  4. Follow along with the time-synced lyrics if available.
  5. If lyrics aren't available, select More to view full lyrics.
  6. On Apple TV 4K, tap the microphone icon to use Sing mode and sing along.

On Apple Watch (via Musixmatch):

  1. Install and open the Musixmatch app on your Apple Watch.
  2. Sync the app with your Apple Music account following the setup instructions.
  3. Select a song from your synced library in Musixmatch.
  4. Play the song and view time-synced lyrics on the watch screen.
  5. Follow along or sing in real-time using the displayed lyrics.

View Apple Music Lyrics on Unsupported Devices

Even if your device doesn't officially support Apple Music lyrics, you can still enjoy them by using AirPlay. Here's how to view time-synced lyrics on a bigger screen:

  1. Open the Apple Music app on your Mac.
  2. Play the song you want to listen to, then click the Lyrics button near the playback controls to enable Lyrics view.
  3. Make sure your Mac and your AirPlay 2-compatible TV (or streaming device) are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
  4. Click the Control Center icon in the menu bar on your Mac, then select Screen Mirroring.
  5. Choose your TV or streaming device from the list to start mirroring your Mac's screen.

Your Mac screen - including the Apple Music lyrics - will now display on your TV.

Part 4. Features You Can Use with Apple Music Lyrics

Whenever you're playing a song and open the lyrics panel, you might notice some extra icons - like the mic for Sing mode or the translation icon for lyrics.

These features let you do more than just read words. You can follow along line by line, sing with the track, or see how to pronounce lyrics in another language. You can also share favorite lines or view full lyrics on screen. If a translation or pronunciation is available, it shows automatically when you tap the lyrics view.

Tip 1: Jump to Specific Lines in Lyrics

Tap any line in the time-synced lyrics to jump directly to that part of the song. Works best with full synced lyrics - some downloaded tracks may not work perfectly.

  1. Open the Apple Music app on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.
  2. Play a song that has time-synced lyrics.
  3. Tap the Lyrics button to open the lyrics panel.
  4. Scroll or tap the specific line you want to hear.
  5. The song will jump to that line automatically.

Tip 2: Get Lyrics Translation and Pronunciation

ios music now playing lyrics show translation pronunciation

Tap the translation or pronunciation icon in the lyrics panel to see the meaning or phonetic spelling of lyrics. Some older or offline tracks may not support this feature.

  1. Update your device to iOS 26 / iPadOS 26 or the latest Apple Music app on Mac/Windows.
  2. Open Apple Music and play a song with lyrics.
  3. Tap the Lyrics button to view the lyrics panel.
  4. Tap the translation or pronunciation icon.
  5. Read the translated lyrics or phonetic spelling as the song plays.

Tip 3: Sing Along with Time-Synced Lyrics

Follow lyrics line by line while singing. On iPhone, iPad, or Apple TV 4K, tap the mic icon to turn on Sing mode. You can adjust vocals and sing solo or with a friend.

  1. Open Apple Music and play a song with time-synced lyrics.
  2. Tap the Lyrics button to view the animated lyrics.
  3. On iPhone, iPad, or Apple TV 4K, tap the mic icon to activate Sing mode.
  4. Follow the highlighted lyrics in real time while singing.
  5. Adjust vocal settings for a karaoke-like experience if desired.

Tip 4: Share Favorite Lyrics with Friends

ios music now playing lyrics more share lyrics

Tap and hold a line in the lyrics panel to share it via Messages, social media, or other apps. Some songs may limit sharing if lyrics are locked.

  1. Open Apple Music and play a song.
  2. Tap the Lyrics button to display the lyrics panel.
  3. Tap and hold the line or section you want to share.
  4. Select the Share option from the menu.
  5. Choose the app to share the lyrics through, such as Messages, social media, or email.

Tip 5: View Lyrics in Full-Screen Mode

ios music now playing lyrics full screen

Tap the full-screen icon to see all lyrics clearly. Works well on Apple TV or when casting.

  1. Open a song in Apple Music and tap the Lyrics button.
  2. Tap the full-screen icon at the bottom of the lyrics panel.
  3. Follow along with the lyrics in full-screen mode.
  4. Tap the screen or icon again to exit full-screen mode.

Tip 6: Report Incorrect or Missing Lyrics

Help keep lyrics accurate by reporting mistakes or missing lines.

  1. Open Apple Music and play a song.
  2. Tap the Lyrics button to open the lyrics panel.
  3. Scroll to the bottom and select Report a Problem.
  4. Follow the prompts to describe the issue with the lyrics.

Submit your report so Apple Music can review and update the lyrics.

Part 5. How to Search for Songs by Lyrics on Apple Music

Apple Music makes it easy to find songs by lyrics. Here's how across different devices:

On iPhone or iPad:

  1. Open the Apple Music app on your device.
  2. Tap the Search tab at the bottom of the screen.
  3. Type a line or phrase from the song in the search bar.
  4. Browse the results and tap a song to play it.
  5. Tap the Lyrics button on the Now Playing screen if available.

On Android:

  1. Open the Apple Music app on your Android device.
  2. Tap the Search icon at the bottom of the screen.
  3. Type the lyrics you want to search for.
  4. Browse the results and tap a song to play it.
  5. Tap the Lyrics button during playback if available.

On PC or Mac (Apple Music App or iTunes):

  1. Open the Apple Music app or iTunes on your computer.
  2. Go to the Search bar at the top-right corner of the window.
  3. Type the lyrics you want to find and press Enter.
  4. itunes search lyrics in all apple music

  5. Browse the search results and select the matching song.
  6. Click the Lyrics button in the Now Playing section if lyrics are available.

On the Web (Apple Music Website):

  1. Visit the Apple Music website and log in to your account.
  2. Use the search bar at the top to enter the lyrics you want.
  3. Browse the search results and click a song to play it.
  4. Click the Lyrics button if lyrics are included with the song.

Part 6. How to Submit Missing Lyrics on Apple Music

Apple Music has lyrics for most songs, but some tracks may be missing them. You can help improve the service by submitting lyrics either via Musixmatch or by adding them to local songs in iTunes or the Music app.

Option 1: Submit Missing Lyrics via Musixmatch

  1. Open the Musixmatch app or website.
  2. Sign in to your account.
  3. Search for the song missing lyrics.
  4. If no lyrics are shown, tap Submit Lyrics.
  5. Type the lyrics exactly as they appear in the song.
  6. Tap Submit to add them to Musixmatch for Apple Music.

Option 2: Add Lyrics to Local Songs in iTunes / Apple Music

  1. Open iTunes or Apple Music on your Mac or PC.
  2. Find the song in your library.
  3. Right-click it and choose Song Info (or Get Info).
  4. add lyrics to song in iTunes

  5. Go to the Lyrics tab and click Custom Lyrics.
  6. custome lyrics in iTunes

  7. Type the lyrics and click OK to save.
  8. enter lyrics itunes

  9. Connect your iPhone or iPad to your computer.
  10. Click the device icon in iTunes/Apple Music.
  11. Select Music under Settings.
  12. Check Sync and pick the songs you added lyrics to.
  13. how to sync added lyrics in iTunes

  14. Click Apply to sync the lyrics to your device.
  15. added lyrics on mobile

Part 7: How to Download Apple Music with Lyrics

Here's the deal: ViWizard Apple Music Converter lets you download your entire Apple Music library and keeps your lyrics too. It works by removing the DRM protection on Apple Music songs, so you can save them as MP3, MAV, or other file types. Plus, the lyrics are saved as ".lrc" files, so you can still follow along even when you're offline.

The process is simple: pick the songs or playlists you want, choose the file format, and let ViWizard do the rest. You can even decide how your files are named, where they're saved, and avoid any duplicates. It also lets you adjust sound quality settings, like audio channels and sample rates, to get the best listening experience.

ViWizard makes it easy to organize and enjoy your Apple Music collection, even without an internet connection. It's a great way to have all your music and lyrics available anytime, anywhere.

audio converter
Apple Music Converter

A full-featured Apple Music converter that easily converts Apple Music songs, albums, playlists - including iCloud Music Library content, personalized recommendations, and curated playlists - into MP3, M4A, M4B, WAV, AIFF, and FLAC so you can keep your Apple Music forever or transfer it to any device without restrictions.

Step 1Install ViWizard and Log In to Your Apple Music Account

add apple music songs

First, download and install ViWizard Apple Music Converter from the official website. It's available for both Windows and Mac. Once installed, open the app and log in with the Apple ID linked to your Apple Music subscription. This allows ViWizard to access your full music library directly from the interface.

Step 2Set MP3 as the Output Format

set output settings

Next, click the Settings icon (usually in the upper-right corner). In the format options, select MP3 to make sure your songs are compatible with most devices. You can also customize the bit rate, sample rate, and channels based on your preferences. To preserve lyrics, check "Save lyrics (if provided)" so ViWizard download the ".lrc" if available. Once you're ready, click OK to save your settings.

Step 3Select Songs to Download

convert apple music to mp3

Click the "+" button to load your Apple Music library inside ViWizard. Then browse and choose the songs, albums, or playlists you want to download. Add your selections to the conversion list, and when ready, click the Convert button to start downloading. ViWizard will automatically convert multiple songs at once.

Step 4Locate and Manage Your Downloaded Files

play converted apple music

After the conversion is finished, click the History icon to find your downloaded MP3 files. From there, you can open the output folder to access your music. Now your Apple Music songs are saved as MP3s without DRM, and you can back them up, transfer them to any device, or organize them into your favorite music player. Plus, many downloaded tracks will keep embedded information like album art, track names, and synced lyrics if available.

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