TikTok is exploring a deeper integration with Apple Music that could allow users to stream full songs directly inside the TikTok app — without being redirected to a separate music player. This test, currently being trialled in select markets through a beta feature, marks a major shift in how fans could experience music while scrolling short-form video content.
What the New Feature Does
Dubbed “Play Full Song,” the feature lets users tap a prompt within TikTok and listen to entire tracks sourced from Apple Music directly in the app. Previously, TikTok users could only hear short clips (typically snippets used in videos) or save songs to listen later on a streaming service. With this integration, subscribers no longer need to leave TikTok to enjoy the full version of a song.
Under the hood, the feature uses Apple’s MusicKit framework, which enables third-party apps to embed Apple Music playback. When a full song is played in TikTok via this feature, users see a “From Apple Music” label that indicates the source of the track.
However, an active Apple Music subscription is required to access the full track streaming — meaning only paying Apple Music users will benefit from this integration.
Why This Matters
TikTok has become one of the world’s most influential platforms for music discovery. A viral clip on TikTok can propel a song to global popularity, but the path from discovery to full play and monetized streaming has traditionally required users to exit TikTok and open a streaming service. This new feature shortens that journey dramatically.
For artists and record labels, this could translate into higher conversion rates from viral TikTok moments to full-length streams that generate royalties on Apple Music. By reducing friction, TikTok and Apple are potentially creating a more seamless discovery-to-streaming pipeline — a long-standing goal in digital music marketing.
Listening Party Feature
In addition to full-song streaming, TikTok and Apple Music are reportedly testing a “Listening Party” feature — enabling users to stream music together in real time within the app. This concept echoes the social listening experiences offered by legacy platforms like Turntable.fm and could create new ways for fans to engage communally with music and each other on TikTok.
While full details are still emerging, these pilots suggest that TikTok is positioning itself not just as a discovery engine, but as a central hub where music is experienced socially and interactively.
Early Tests and Limitations
So far, these features remain in beta testing and are not yet widely available — especially in major markets like the United States, United Kingdom, or European Union — although exact rollout details have not been confirmed.
Because of licensing complexities, TikTok isn’t transforming into a standalone streaming service. Rather, it’s leveraging partnerships (in this case with Apple Music via MusicKit) to embed licensed playback directly within its interface.
What This Means for the Music Industry
This development reflects a broader industry trend where social platforms and streaming services blur the boundaries between discovery and listening. For years, artists and marketers have grappled with the challenge of converting TikTok virality into measurable streaming metrics. This in-app playback integration could finally begin to bridge that gap, leading to:
- More full-length streams from viral hits
- Higher retention of music engagement inside TikTok
- Easier monetization for artists tied directly to discovery moments
If expanded beyond Apple Music to include additional streaming services in the future, this model could reshape how music is consumed in the social era — making TikTok not just a platform for clips, but a destination for full music experiences.
