Summary
- Apple Music has implemented a new feature that lets users transfer songs and playlists from other music streaming apps.
- The transfer feature is currently only available in Australia and New Zealand. Hopefully it will come to the US soon.
- The feature works on iPhones and iPads with the latest iOS/iPadOS update, and Android devices with the latest Apple Music app update.
If you’re considering a switch to
Apple Music
, then this new feature might finally encourage you to take the plunge.
Apple is currently testing a tool within Apple Music that enables users to import their saved music and playlists from rival streaming services
like Spotify
. Previously, this process required third-party apps, but with Apple introducing first-party support, it has become significantly easier.
Recently, a support document was published by Apple (via MacRumors) explaining how the new transfer feature operates. However, it mentions that this feature is only available in Australia and New Zealand at the moment. Essentially, users can go into their Apple Music settings and select an option that allows them to transfer their music from other platforms.
Given how useful a feature like this is, I would be shocked if Apple doesn’t expand it to the US at some point. There’s no indication of when they might do so, but perhaps they’re testing it in Australia and New Zealand to fine-tune it before a wider rollout to larger markets like the US, Canada, and Europe — but that’s just speculation on my part.
Apple Music
- Price
-
$11
- Free trial
-
Yes
- Ad plans
-
No
Related
I made the jump from Spotify to Apple Music, and you should too
With better quality, an improved algorithm, and separate space for podcast, Apple Music is far superior.
How the new transfer feature works
Apple has reportedly partnered with SongShift for it
Apple / Pocket-lint
To transfer your saved music from other music streaming services, users will need an iPhone or iPad with the latest version of iOS or iPadOS, or an Android device with the latest version of the Apple Music app. Users can also use Apple Music’s website to start the process.
…Apple says you can transfer playlists you’ve created yourself, but not playlists created by another service…
It’s important to note that Apple says “You can transfer your songs, albums, and playlists from other music services to Apple Music, but what you can transfer varies by service.” For example, Apple says you can transfer playlists you’ve created yourself, but not playlists created by another service. So that means if you use Spotify, your Spotify Wrapped playlist unfortunately might get left behind.
To start the music transfer process on your iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > Apps > Music > Transfer Music from Other Music Services. If you’re on Android, open up the Apple Music app, and you’ll find the same option under Settings. Once selected, you can then choose from the list of supported third-party music services to transfer from, including Spotify.
Once you’ve selected the music service you want to transfer from, you’ll first have to log in to it, and then you’ll be given the option to choose what to transfer. Once you’ve selected what to transfer, you can then tap Add to Library, and the transfer will begin. The transfer will end with one of two messages: Transfer Complete or Some Music Needs Review.
Transfer Complete means Apple Music was able to identify matches for the music you had in your playlist from Apple Music’s catalog and add it to your library. Some Music Needs Review means Apple Music couldn’t find an exact match for a song in its available catalog but has alternatives you can consider.
Apple has reportedly partnered with the makers of SongShift to integrate this feature directly into Apple Music.
Based on what Apple has detailed on its support page, the feature seems pretty easy to use and will be helpful to a lot of people looking to make the switch to Apple Music. In all fairness, Apple Music is a dollar cheaper than Spotify a month, costing $11 instead of $12 monthly, and offers better lossless audio quality than Spotify does, so this transfer feature could actually entice people to finally make the switch.
Apple has reportedly partnered with the makers of SongShift to integrate this feature directly into Apple Music. If you are unfamiliar with SongShift, it is a third-party app that transfers playlists across various music streaming platforms. Currently, the new transfer feature is only available in Australia and New Zealand, but hopefully it will arrive in the US soon.
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