Jada Jones/ZDNET
Follow ZDNET:
Add us as a preferred information source on Google.

ZDNET’s Key Insights and Takeaways:
A recently enhanced Apple Music capability now allows users to transition their entire music libraries between platforms with remarkable ease and precision. This powerful feature is not limited to iOS users alone—it is equally accessible to subscribers using Android devices who maintain active Apple Music accounts. However, it is important to note that only those with an ongoing Apple Music subscription may take advantage of this functionality.

Nearly two years have passed since I personally made the switch from Spotify Premium to Apple Music, a transition driven by several motivations. At that time, I was particularly drawn to Apple’s implementation of lossless audio, which provides higher fidelity sound for wired listening, and its growing Dolby Atmos collection that enhances spatial sound experiences. Beyond these technical features, I must confess to a strong affinity for Apple’s meticulously designed user interface, whose simplicity and sophistication make everyday interactions especially pleasant. Rebuilding eight years’ worth of playlists, saved tracks, and favorite albums from Spotify’s vast catalog within Apple Music seemed, at the outset, a monumental challenge—one that was not only daunting but also immensely time-consuming.

After thoroughly exploring online resources and engaging with user communities on platforms like Reddit in search of the most efficient solution, I discovered SongShift. This specialized application was created expressly to facilitate seamless transfers of personal music collections between major streaming services. While its free version came with limitations—specifically, allowing migration of only playlists containing fewer than 200 songs—a paid subscription provided full library transfer functionality, unlocking the app’s true potential.

With the introduction of iOS 26, Apple officially formed a partnership with SongShift, embedding its technology directly into the Apple Music ecosystem after more than a year of internal testing. This strategic integration now gives users the ability to import their entire music collections—including playlists, albums, and saved songs—from competing services such as Spotify, Deezer, Tidal, Amazon Music, and YouTube Music, all directly from the settings menu of their iOS devices. Before this update appeared on my iPhone, approximately 80% of the collection I had built on Spotify remained inaccessible within Apple Music. Now, with an active Apple Music subscription, this extended synchronization service becomes entirely free and incredibly efficient.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Import Your Music Library into Apple Music
To begin, ensure you have the necessary equipment and credentials at hand. You will need either an iPhone or iPad updated to the latest iOS version, an Android device running the most recent Apple Music app, or a computer capable of accessing Apple Music through a supported web browser. Equally essential are your login credentials for the streaming service from which you intend to transfer your library.

On iOS: Navigate to the Settings app and search for the section labeled “Music.” Confirm that the “Sync Library” option is toggled on. Then select “Transfer Music from Other Services.” This will prompt a guided process allowing you to choose between transferring your entire library or selecting individual playlists for migration. Note, however, that playlists curated and published by your previous streaming service—such as Spotify’s “Wrapped” compilations summarizing your listening habits over a year—cannot be brought over to Apple Music.

Once the transfer begins, Apple Music will systematically import your songs. Any titles unavailable within its catalog will be flagged for review, allowing you to either locate replacement versions or accept Apple’s suggested equivalents. This attention to detail ensures your listening continuity with minimal disruption.

For Android users: Open the Apple Music app, tap the three vertical dots or “More” icon to access settings, and locate the same option titled “Transfer Music from Other Music Services.” Follow the identical sequence as described for iOS—select your desired playlists or full library and authorize the migration.

For users preferring Apple Music’s web interface: Sign in to your Apple Music account through a browser and click your profile icon at the top-right corner. Choose the streaming service from which you want to move your music, then specify the desired songs or playlists and follow the same subsequent steps.

It comes as little surprise that certain niche or exclusive Spotify tracks, such as Live Sessions, do not appear within Apple Music’s database. Similarly, songs that originated in film soundtracks or contained proprietary licensing agreements occasionally may surface under alternate albums rather than in their original format. Certain EPs, limited singles, or special edition versions might also be absent—an expected outcome when transitioning between different digital ecosystems due to licensing constraints and catalog discrepancies.

Although only a handful of my loved tracks were entirely lost to availability issues, their absence remains a reminder of the impermanence of digital media libraries. For listeners determined to maintain lifelong access to their favorite music without dependency on licensing agreements or shifting service terms, acquiring physical formats such as vinyl, CDs, or cassettes remains the most reliable long-term approach. Nonetheless, for those who find themselves dissatisfied with their current streaming service and are contemplating a shift to Apple Music, this integrated transfer mechanism significantly simplifies what was once a cumbersome and intimidating process, turning it into a straightforward and nearly effortless endeavor.

Sourse: https://www.zdnet.com/article/transfer-spotify-playlists-to-apple-music/