How to Transfer Songs From Spotify to Apple Music

Switching music apps can feel like moving apartments: you swear you own fewer things, and thenboomthere are 37 boxes labeled “Vibes (Do Not Lose).”
The good news is you don’t have to rebuild your Spotify library song-by-song in Apple Music anymore. Between Apple’s built-in transfer option (in many regions)
and a lineup of trustworthy third-party tools, you can migrate playlists, saved songs, and even albums with a lot less chaos than you’d expect.

This guide walks you through the best methods to transfer songs from Spotify to Apple Music, what to expect when tracks don’t match perfectly, and how to avoid
the classic “Why is half my playlist missing?” meltdown. We’ll keep it practical, specific, and just funny enough to make the process feel less like paperwork.

Before You Start: What “Transfer” Really Means (and What It Doesn’t)

A transfer tool does not physically move audio files from Spotify to Apple Music. Streaming services don’t share downloads, DRM, or offline files
like that. Instead, transfer tools:

• Read your Spotify library data (playlists, saved tracks, saved albums/artistsdepending on the tool)
• Search Apple Music’s catalog for matching songs
• Create Apple Music playlists and/or add tracks to your Apple Music library
• Flag anything that can’t be matched so you can choose an alternate version (or skip it)

Think of it like translating a recipe: most ingredients carry over, but sometimes “one bunch of cilantro” becomes “one mysterious herb bundle” and you have to
make a judgment call.

Method 1: Use Apple Music’s Built-In “Transfer Music” Tool (Fastest If You Have It)

Apple Music now offers a built-in transfer feature in supported regions. If you see it, this is usually the easiest path because it’s integrated directly into
Apple’s settings and Apple Music on the web.

What you need

• An Apple Music subscription
• Sync Library enabled (so your library changes propagate across devices)
• Access to your Spotify login
• Compatible software (Apple’s iPhone instructions reference iOS 18.4 or later for the feature on iPhone)

Transfer from an iPhone or iPad

1. Open Settings.
2. Go to Apps > Music.
3. Tap Transfer Music from Other Music Services.
4. Select Spotify (if available in your list), then sign in.
5. Choose what you want to transfer (all items or selected items).
6. Tap Add to Library and wait while Apple Music matches songs to its catalog.

Transfer from Apple Music on the web

1. Sign in to Apple Music on the web with the Apple Account tied to your Apple Music subscription.
2. Open your account menu (your photo/monogram), then choose Transfer Music.
3. Select Spotify, sign in, choose what to transfer, and click Add to Library.

What happens when some songs don’t match?

If Apple Music can’t find an exact match, you may see a “Some Music Needs Review” / “Review Alternates” message. You’ll be offered similar versionslike a deluxe
edition track instead of the original, or the studio version instead of the live recording.

Important detail: you generally get a limited window (commonly referenced as 30 days) to review unmatched items and finalize the transfer. Also,
if there’s music waiting for review, you may not be able to start a new transfer on that device until you finish reviewing (or ignore) the pending matches.

When to skip the built-in tool

Use Apple’s built-in option when it’s available and you want a one-and-done move. Consider third-party tools if:

• You don’t see the transfer option in settings (regional rollout and availability can vary).
• You want advanced features like ongoing sync between Spotify and Apple Music playlists.
• You prefer a desktop workflow, batch transfers, or additional export formats.

Method 2: Use a Playlist Transfer App or Website (Most Flexible)

If Apple’s built-in transfer isn’t availableor you want more controlthird-party tools are the standard solution. Most work the same way:
connect Spotify + Apple Music, choose what to migrate, review matches, and transfer.

Quick comparison: popular transfer tools

Note: Pricing and limits can change, and some services restrict “free” usage to one playlist at a time or cap songs per playlist. If you’re moving a massive
library, you may find a paid plan worth it just to avoid spending your weekend manually searching for the “correct” version of a song that exists in 14 timelines.

Option A: Transfer with SongShift (iPhone/iPad)

SongShift is a common choice for Spotify-to-Apple-Music transfers on iOS because it’s built around a clean, review-first process.

1. Install SongShift on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Connect Spotify as the source and sign in.
3. Connect Apple Music as the destination and grant permission.
4. Select a playlist (or multiple playlists if your plan supports batch transfers).
5. Review matches (fix any incorrect picks), then start the transfer.
6. Open Apple Music and confirm the playlist(s) appear in your Library.

Pro tip: If you don’t want Apple Music to automatically add every playlist song into your main library, check your iPhone’s Music settings. Some setups include an
“Add Playlist Songs” toggle that affects whether playlist additions also become library additions.

Option B: Transfer with Soundiiz (Web)

Soundiiz is great if you want a web dashboard, more transfer categories (tracks, albums, artists), and in some cases the ability to keep playlists synced.

1. Open Soundiiz in a browser and log in.
2. Connect Spotify and Apple Music under your connected services.
3. Choose Transfer, pick Spotify as the source and Apple Music as the destination.
4. Select the playlist(s) (or tracks/albums) you want to move.
5. Start the transfer and review any mismatches or missing songs.

If your goal is “I’m switching, but I’ll keep Spotify for a month while I emotionally detach,” look for Soundiiz’s sync-style features (if available under your plan)
so changes in Spotify can mirror to Apple Music during the transition.

Option C: Transfer with TuneMyMusic (Web)

TuneMyMusic is a straightforward web wizard: select source, log in, select destination, transfer. It’s especially handy if you’re on Windows, Chromebook, or you
just don’t want another app on your phone.

1. Open TuneMyMusic in your browser.
2. Select Spotify as the source and log in.
3. Choose the playlists (and other supported items) you want to move.
4. Select Apple Music as the destination and sign in.
5. Run the transfer and review results.

Option D: Transfer with FreeYourMusic (Desktop/Mobile)

FreeYourMusic is popular for bigger migrations. The flow is similar: sign in, choose Spotify as source, Apple Music as destination, then transfer playlists and
other supported items.

1. Install FreeYourMusic on your computer or phone.
2. Sign in to Spotify, then connect Apple Music.
3. Select playlists/albums/liked songs you want to move.
4. Start transfer, then double-check Apple Music for the new playlists and library additions.

Method 3: Manual Transfer (When You Only Have a Few Playlistsor You’re Extremely Stubborn)

Manual transfer is the “I will carry every plate to the new house in one trip” approach. It’s not the fastest, but it can be surprisingly effective for a small
set of playlistsor for music that transfer tools consistently mis-identify.

Manual method: copy your Spotify playlist track list

1. Open Spotify on desktop (Windows or Mac).
2. Open the playlist you want to move.
3. Select all songs (for example, click the first track, then use a select-all shortcut in the list).
4. Copy, then paste into a notes app or spreadsheet to create a checklist (song title + artist is usually enough).
5. Open Apple Music and search each track, adding it to a new playlist as you go.

Manual transfer is also useful for those “version wars” moments, like when Spotify has the original album cut but Apple Music surfaces a remaster first. If you care
about the exact version (and some of us absolutely do), manual control is undefeated.

Common Problems and How to Fix Them (a.k.a. “Why Did My Playlist Shrink?”)

1) Some songs are missing

Missing tracks typically come down to catalog differences or licensing. A song can exist on Spotify but not be available on Apple Music in your region (or vice versa).
Sometimes it’s not missingit’s just wearing a different outfit (deluxe edition, “clean” edit, live version).

Fix: Review alternates and choose the closest match. If no alternate exists, search Apple Music manually using song title + artist. If it still doesn’t show, it may not be available.

2) The wrong version got matched

Transfer tools match based on metadata. That usually works… until it doesn’t. “Radio Edit” vs. album version, live recordings, karaoke versions, remastersmusic is
basically a multiverse.

Fix: Use the tool’s match review screen (or Apple Music’s review flow) to pick a better match. When in doubt, preview before you accept.

3) “Liked Songs” didn’t become “Favorites” in Apple Music

Spotify’s “Liked Songs” is a specific bucket. Apple Music has a library and also offers “Favorite” behavior for tracks, but a transfer may add songs to your library
without marking them as favorites.

Fix: If your transfer tool lets you move “liked tracks,” do it. If not, a workaround is to create a Spotify playlist called something like
“Liked Songs Export,” dump your favorites in there, then transfer that playlist. After the move, you can decide whether to favorite them inside Apple Music.

4) Transfer is stuck, “busy,” or fails

Transfers can fail from temporary server issues, permission glitches, or account linking problems.

• Update Apple Music / iOS / Android app versions
• Log out and back in to both services
• Re-grant permissions when prompted
• Try a smaller batch (one playlist first, then the rest)

5) My Apple Music library is now “too full” of playlist songs

Some users prefer playlists without flooding their entire library. Depending on your Apple Music settings and the method you used, adding playlist songs can also
add them to your library automatically.

Fix: Check Apple Music settings for an “Add Playlist Songs” style toggle and adjust it to match your preference before running big transfers.

Best Practices: How to Switch Without Losing Your Mind

Do a test transfer first

Pick one medium playlistsay 50–150 songsand transfer it before you attempt the full migration. This lets you see:

• Your match rate (how many songs map cleanly)
• How the tool handles alternates
• Whether playlists land where you expect in Apple Music
• How you want your library to behave (playlist-only vs. playlist + library)

Plan for a “review session”

If you have thousands of saved songs, don’t start the transfer five minutes before dinner. Build in time to review mismatchesespecially for niche tracks, local
artists, or older uploads that may have different metadata between services.

Keep Spotify active until you confirm everything

Don’t cancel Spotify until you’ve verified your must-have playlists in Apple Music. Most tools copy rather than delete, so there’s no harm in leaving Spotify alone
while you confirm the move.

FAQ: Spotify to Apple Music Transfers

Can I transfer podcasts from Spotify to Apple Music?

Usually nomusic transfer tools focus on music libraries and playlists. Podcasts are handled differently across platforms, and Apple Podcasts is a separate app from
Apple Music for many users.

Can I transfer Spotify downloads for offline listening?

No. Offline downloads are tied to each service’s DRM and app. After you transfer playlists, you’ll need to download tracks again inside Apple Music.

Will transferring delete anything from Spotify?

Transfer tools generally copy data by recreating playlists and library items in Apple Music. Your Spotify playlists should remain intact unless you manually delete them.

Why do some playlists refuse to transfer?

Some playlist types are generated or curated by the platform (for example, certain auto-mixes or service-curated playlists). Transfer tools often prioritize
user-created playlists, and what’s transferable can vary depending on the service and method used.

Real-World Transfer Experiences (500+ Words of “What It’s Like”)

Here’s the part nobody tells you: transferring from Spotify to Apple Music is rarely “one click and done,” but it’s also not the nightmare people make it out to be.
Most of the experience comes down to how picky you are about versions and how weird your library is (said with lovemy “weird library” friends, unite).

The first time you run a transfer, you’ll probably do the same thing everyone does: pick a playlist you actually care about. Not your “Sleepy Lo-Fi Rainfall Study
Bops” list (respect), but something like “Road Trip Anthems,” “Gym Rage,” or “Songs I Will Absolutely Sing Wrong in Public.” A good transfer tool will show you a
progress screen, a match summary, and then the moment of truth: the review list.

The review list is where reality taps you on the shoulder. Most mainstream songs match instantlybig artists, popular tracks, clean metadata. The mismatches tend to
cluster in three places: (1) live versions, (2) remasters/deluxe editions, and (3) songs that exist under slightly different naming conventions. You’ll see things like
“Track needs review” and think, “It’s fine.” Then you preview the alternate and realize Apple Music matched the acoustic version you never asked for. Suddenly you’re
the producer in the studio: “No, no, nogive me the one where the drums hit like a shopping cart rolling down a hill.”

If you’re transferring a big “Liked Songs” collection, your experience can feel different. On Spotify, that list is one giant bucket. On Apple Music, the line between
“in my library,” “in my playlists,” and “favorited” can feel more layered. What many people end up doing is treating the transfer as a foundation: get the songs into
Apple Music first, then spend a little time curating how you want to organize them. The funny thing is that this “cleanup period” often becomes the moment you realize
how your listening habits have changed. You’ll find old songs you haven’t played in years and think, “Wow. I really was going through something in 2019.”

Another common experience: you’ll notice small catalog differences and audio/version quirks. Maybe Apple Music surfaces an explicit track where Spotify had the clean
one, or vice versa. Or you’ll see a compilation album replace the original album track. Most of the time, this doesn’t ruin the playlist, but if you’re picky (again:
valid), you’ll want to do a quick skim after the transferespecially for playlists meant for parties, workouts, or performances where the exact energy matters.

The best “real life” moment is when the playlist shows up in Apple Music and it actually looks right. You hit play, it flows, and you get that little jolt of
satisfaction that feels like finishing a puzzle. If you’re switching services for a reasonbetter integration with your iPhone, a family plan, or just a change of
scenerythis is the point where the move stops feeling like a chore and starts feeling like, “Okay, I live here now.”

The final experience tip: don’t try to make it perfect on day one. Do a solid transfer, review the obvious mismatches, and then live with Apple Music for a week.
You’ll naturally discover what’s missing when you reach for a playlist and it’s not quite there. Fix those few items, and you’ll end up with a library that feels
intentionalnot just “copied,” but actually yours.

Conclusion

Transferring songs from Spotify to Apple Music doesn’t have to be a tedious rebuild. Start with Apple Music’s built-in transfer option if it’s available on your
device and in your region. If not (or if you want more control), use a trusted third-party tool like SongShift, Soundiiz, TuneMyMusic, or FreeYourMusic to move
playlists and saved tracks efficiently.

The key to a smooth switch is simple: test with one playlist, review mismatches, and don’t cancel Spotify until your Apple Music library looks and plays the way you
want. Once you’re settled, re-download for offline listening and enjoy your new streaming homewith all your favorite songs unpacked and ready to go.