Sort Apple Music albums with ease on Mac and mobile

How-to
By published
Apple Music 2022 Mac
Apple Music 2022 Mac (Image credit: Bryan M. Wolfe / iMore)
Jump to:

Successful artists have a large body of work, as seen in the Music app across your devices. Ideally, it would help to sort Apple Music albums chronologically, although this isn't automatic. No worries, as sorting is simple on both Mac and mobile devices.

How to sort Apple Music albums on the Mac

To sort all the Apple Music albums on your computer by artist and year:

  1. Open the Music app from the Mac dock.
  2. Click Albums under Library on the left side of the screen.

To sort albums on your Mac, open the Music app from the Mac dock, then click Albums under Library. (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Click View on the Music toolbar.
  2. Select Show View Options.
  3. Choose Artist next to Sort by under View Options.
  4. Select Year next to Then under View Options.
  5. Close the View Options window.

To sort albums on your Mac, click view on the Music app toolbar, then select Show View Options. Choose Artist next to Sort, and select Year next to Then. Close the View Options window. (Image credit: iMore)

You can also drill down and sort artist content (that's in your library only) by year:

  1. Open the Music app from the Mac dock.
  2. Search for the artist in the search box at the top left.
  3. Click Artists under Library on the left side of the screen.

To sort artist content by year, open the Music app, then search for the article. Click Albums under Library. (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Click View on the Music toolbar.
  2. Select Show View Options.
  3. Choose Year next to Sort Albums by.
  4. Close the View Options window.

To sort artist content by year,, click View on the Music toolbar, then select Show View Options, Choose Year next to Sort Albums by, then close the View Options window. (Image credit: iMore)

How to sort Apple Music albums on iPhone and iPad

On your best iPhone or iPad, you can also sort albums by artist, then the year. To do so:

  1. Tap on the Music app on your Home screen.
  2. Choose Library.
  3. Select Artists.

To sort albums on mobile. tap on the Music app, then choose Library. Next, select Artists. (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Find your artist.
  2. Tap Sort at the top right.
  3. Choose Newest First or Oldest First, depending on your preference.

To sort albums on mobile, find your artist, then tap Sort. Choose Newest First or Oldest First. (Image credit: iMore)

Easy, no?

That's it! You've sorted your albums in chronological order! Use the solutions above on all your Apple devices, then continue listening to your music.

Updated May 2022: Minor updates made.

Bryan M Wolfe
Bryan M Wolfe
Staff Writer

Bryan M. Wolfe has written about technology for over a decade on various websites, including TechRadar, AppAdvice, and many more. Before this, he worked in the technology field across different industries, including healthcare and education. He’s currently iMore’s lead on all things Mac and macOS, although he also loves covering iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch. Bryan enjoys watching his favorite sports teams, traveling, and driving around his teenage daughter to her latest stage show, audition, or school event in his spare time. He also keeps busy walking his black and white cocker spaniel, Izzy, and trying new coffees and liquid grapes.