Switching music apps used to suck. You’d open the new one all excited, then immediately realise everything was gone. No playlists. No late-night mixes. Just an empty library staring back at you like, good luck rebuilding this. Mild heartbreak is putting it lightly. That’s not how it works anymore.
If you’re moving from Spotify to Apple Music, you don’t have to start from zero or from scratch or whatever. Your playlists can come with you, and the whole process now takes minutes, not hours. Apple has finally added a built-in transfer tool, and if you want more control, there are reliable third-party options that do the job just as well.
Apple’s support article that explains how to transfer music from other services into Apple Music using the built-in tool is available on the Apple Support page.
What You Need Before Transferring
Before you begin, make sure these fundamentals are satisfied:
- An active Apple Music subscription
- Your Spotify login details
- Stable internet access
- The newest iOS, iPadOS, or with access to Apple Music via web
If any of these is missing, the option to transfer will not appear.
Apple Music’s Built-In Playlist Transfer
Apple Music now finally includes a built in or native tool that lets you import playlists directly from Spotify. It’s the super duper easiest option and doesn’t require third-party apps.
On iPhone or iPad
- Open Settings
- Scroll down and tap Music
- Select Transfer Music from Other Services
- Choose Spotify from the list
- Log in to your Spotify account
- Select the playlists you want to transfer
- Tap Add to Library
- Wait for Apple Music to match and import the songs
Once completed, Apple Music will show which tracks were added successfully and which ones couldn’t be matched.
Details about subscription requirements and platform compatibility for the service can be found on the main Apple Music website.
On the Apple Music Website
This option is useful if you’re on a PC or prefer doing things on a browser.
- Visit music.apple.com
- Sign in with your Apple ID
- Click your profile icon
- Open Account Settings
- Find Transfer Music from Other Services
- Select Spotify and sign in
- Choose your playlists
- Confirm the transfer
Your playlists should instantly at that moment sync across all Apple Music devices as long as Sync Library is enabled.
Common Limitations You Should Know About
The inherent transfer function works fine, but it's not foolproof.
- Some tracks may not be available because of licensing and geographic restrictions
- Live, remix, or hard-to-find.trackVersion
- All tracks. Live versions, remixes,
- The order in which the songs appear on the playlist
- Transfers might be a bit lengthy when dealing with very big playlists
The unmatched tracks will be listed for correction by Apple later on.
Using Third-Party Playlist Transfer Tools
If you want even more flexibility or the Apple tool isn’t really exactly available in your region, third-party services are a solid alternative.
Popular options include:
- SongShift (iOS)
- Soundiiz
- TuneMyMusic
How These Tools Usually Work
- Connect your Spotify account
- Connect your Apple Music account
- Select the playlists you want to move
- Let the service match songs across platforms
- Review unmatched tracks
- Complete the transfer
Most free versions handle basic transfers. Advanced features usually require payment.
Pros and Cons of Third-Party Tools
Pros
- More control over specific playlists
- Support for multiple streaming platforms
- Better handling of large libraries
Cons
- Premium plans often require
- You must grant account access
- Privacy depends on the provider
Always check privacy policies before linking accounts.
Things to Do Before You Transfer
A little teenie weensie prep saves a lot of cleanup later.
- Remove duplicate tracks from Spotify playlists
- Rename messy playlists
- Delete songs you no longer listen to
- Update both Spotify and Apple Music apps
Clean playlists transfer faster and more accurately.
What to Do After the Transfer
Once your playlists land in Apple Music:
- Review unmatched songs and add replacements
- Fix playlist order if needed
- Download playlists for offline listening
- Explore Apple Music exclusives like lossless audio and Spatial Audio
Apple Music’s sound quality alone makes the switch worth it, at least in my humble opinion, you know.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Do you need an Apple Music subscription?
Yes. The transfer option only appears with an active Apple Music subscription.
- Will album art and song metadata transfer?
Most songs transfer with correct metadata, but rare or region-locked tracks may not match perfectly.
- Are third-party transfer apps safe?
Many are widely used and reliable, but premium features often require payment. Always review permissions and privacy terms.
- I have a few random, super-old songs on a playlist. Will they get lost in the transfer chaos?
This is the fear, right? Luckily, no! This can be avoided by using an Apple-related tool that will provide a list of songs that are not paired, and in that way, you know which songs are missing. And in case that third-party app is used, those ones almost always offer a review of songs that didn’t make it through. They won’t disappear in a silent void.
Bringing Your Music With You
Changing from Spotify to Apple Music in the year 2026 does not have the same meaning as wiping your complete music history. Regardless of whether you choose the built-in transfer option by Apple or go for a third-party option, the transfer process has become fast and stress-free.
If you’re starting from scratch or just want premium features while comparing platforms, some users choose to buy Spotify accounts from U7BUY. A verified account honestly makes bouncing between platforms a lot less annoying while you figure out where you want to stay.
