Apple Music can show an animated version of an album cover, called motion artwork. It is delivered with the release, and Apple reviews it against its own published rules. Most rejections come from a handful of them.
Apple's motion artwork rules
| Rule | What Apple requires |
|---|---|
| Accuracy | Motion art must be based on the album cover |
| Motion | It must actually move; no static images or stills, unless part of an animation technique |
| Start frame | It must begin on the album cover |
| Text and key element | The title text and the key art element or artist must sit inside the safe area |
| Drop or hold frames | None allowed |
| Frame edge | No frame or border around the motion |
| Flashing | No frenetic flashing or flickering motion |
| Pixels | Pixel aspect ratio 1:1 (square pixels) |
| Edits | No multiple edits |
| 3:4 version | Full frame; not the square artwork scaled down inside the safe area |
| AI processing | Must not introduce distorted text, unnatural anatomy, aberrant animation or other visual damage |
The static cover rules still apply
- No website addresses, logos, QR codes or release dates on the art.
- No references to the audio format, such as Dolby Atmos or spatial audio.
- No references to physical packaging, digital products or retailers.
- Deliver the album's original cover art, not a generic template.
Making it pass first time
- Design the motion from the final cover file, not a draft.
- Open and close on the cover so the animation feels like the artwork coming to life.
- Keep text and faces well inside the safe area of both the square and the 3:4 versions.
- Use slow, continuous movement; avoid cuts and strobing.
- If you use AI tools, check every frame for warped lettering and faces.
With Mazufa
Releasing with Mazufa is free: no upload fee, no subscription and no per-release fee, with the revenue share set out in your written agreement. Motion artwork depends on the release and the delivery route, so ask us whether it is available for yours before you commission it. Apply at mazufa.com/apply
Sources
- Apple Music Style Guide, sections 7.1–7.20 (Artwork and Motion Album Artwork) — https://help.apple.com/itc/musicstyleguide/en.lproj/static.html
On the limits of this guide. These are Apple's published style rules on the date of this guide. Apple decides every delivery and can change its rules.