Blog · September 23, 2026

Turn a spare iPhone into your kid's music player

A spare iPhone can be a useful place for a child's music. Before buying another device, check whether the one you have can run the apps you need and whether it is still practical to use.

For Songkrate, that means iOS 17 or later, access to Apple Music on the listening device, and a few minutes to try the setup yourself. An iPad running iPadOS 17 or later can work too.

Check the device before setting everything up

Confirm the OS version, charge the device, connect it to Wi-Fi, and check the speaker or headphones you plan to use. If the battery or controls make it frustrating to use, find that out before spending time building a collection.

A compatible device does not need a cellular plan just to stream over Wi-Fi. Do not assume it will play when you leave Wi-Fi, though: test the conditions your child will actually use, and plan on an internet connection for streaming.

Confirm Apple Music access

Songkrate uses Apple Music for music playback. Having a subscription on your own phone does not by itself prove that the spare device is set up correctly.

If your child uses their own Apple Account, check your Family Sharing setup and the music subscription available to that account. Apple's family subscription guide explains how access is shared.

Try playing a song on the spare device before handing it over. Songkrate and Apple Music are separate subscriptions.

Start with one child profile

A parent creates the Songkrate account and child profile. Choose a few songs your child knows, then let them try finding and playing them.

You can add individual tracks from an album. If you already have an Apple Music playlist you have reviewed, copying it into the collection can save you starting from an empty list. The copy is a starting selection, not an ongoing sync with changes to the source playlist.

Each child profile has its own approved collection. A shared device can work too, so you can try the setup before deciding whether each child needs their own player.

Set limits on the rest of the device

Songkrate limits the music available inside its player. It does not disable Safari, other music apps, or the App Store on the device.

Use our Screen Time setup guide to configure the other routes your child can access. Keep the parent's controls protected, and check the setup on the device itself rather than assuming it matches your phone.

Hand it over and see what needs adjusting

Show your child how to find their collection and press play. Then see which parts they can use comfortably and where they need help.

You do not need to fill the collection first. Start with something they want to hear, and add more together later.

There is a short demo on our homepage if you want to see the player before trying it. Songkrate includes a 14-day trial starting when you create an account, then costs $4.99/month or $39.99/year. Apple Music is required and sold separately. Subscribing early starts the paid subscription immediately.

Try it with your own kids

Songkrate turns the Apple Music you already pay for into a player that only has the songs you approved. Free trial, then $4.99/month.

Download on the App Store