Apple Music Motion Art
Apple Music Motion Art is an animated album cover that plays on Apple Music for your release. You upload two files together, and LabelGrid delivers them to Apple Music alongside your standard static cover art.
Required formats (both mandatory)
Section titled “Required formats (both mandatory)”| Format | Aspect ratio | Resolution |
|---|---|---|
| Square | 1:1 | 3840 x 3840 px |
| Tall | 3:4 | 2048 x 2732 px |
You must upload both the square and tall files. A release with only one will fail validation with an error noting that motion art is incomplete and requires both the square (1:1) and tall (3:4) files. Your standard static cover art is still required as well.
File specifications
Section titled “File specifications”Upload an .mp4 (H.264 codec) or an animated .gif for each of the two files. The file must not contain an audio track — a file with audio is rejected on upload.
| Specification | Requirement |
|---|---|
| File format | .mp4 (H.264) or animated .gif |
| Audio | None — files with an audio track are rejected |
| Duration | 8 to 35 seconds |
| Max file size | 400 MB |
| Bitrate | 45 to 100 Mbps |
| Frame rate | 23.976, 24, 25, 29.97, or 30 fps |
| Colour | Rec. 709 or sRGB |
Design rules to avoid rejection
Section titled “Design rules to avoid rejection”Motion art is hand-reviewed by Apple before it goes live. Follow these rules so your animation isn’t rejected:
- First frame must match your static cover. The opening frame should be identical to the static album cover artwork for the release.
- Keep the cover in focus the whole time. Hold focus on the cover art for the full duration.
- Fill the entire frame at full resolution. No borders, frames, or letterboxing. Don’t upscale a low-resolution source to meet the dimensions.
- No promotional or marketing text. No tour dates, promo copy, or marketing messaging. Keep any text and key elements inside the safe areas.
- No parental-advisory logo. It isn’t needed and shouldn’t appear in the motion art.
- No flashing or strobing. Rapid flashing can distract or harm viewers and will be rejected.
- No multiple edits or cuts. Don’t cut to other images — keep it a single continuous animation of the cover.
- AI-generated content must look natural. Avoid distorted text, unnatural anatomy (such as impossibly bending limbs), and uncanny or aberrant animation and visual artifacts.
- No drop-frame or hold-frame. Use one of the supported frame rates with smooth, continuous motion.
Safe areas
Section titled “Safe areas”| Format | Safe area guidance |
|---|---|
| Tall (3:4) | Keep essential elements clear of the iPhone notch, on-screen UI text, buttons, and gradients. |
| Square (1:1) | The entire canvas is safe. |
How to add Motion Art
Section titled “How to add Motion Art”In your release’s Cover/Artwork tab, upload the Square (1:1) and Tall (3:4) animated covers together. Your standard static cover art is uploaded separately and is still required.
After approval
Section titled “After approval”Once the release is approved, the motion art fields lock. To change the files after that, contact LabelGrid support. LabelGrid then delivers the motion artwork to Apple Music. Motion art is included in all plans at no extra cost.
Resources
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