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If you're currently using Spotify but are thinking about switching to Apple Music, there's a new feature that will make the transition much easier. Apple Music has introduced a tool that lets you transfer your saved music and playlists directly from other music services. What's particularly useful is that the whole process is integrated directly into Apple Music – no additional apps or complicated workarounds required.
Apple is currently testing the new transfer tool in Australia and New Zealand. The feature is based on a collaboration with SongShift, an app that has been helping transfer playlists between different streaming services for years. With the official integration into Apple Music, the service now becomes significantly more attractive for anyone who has large music collections stored on other providers.
How the new transfer tool works on Apple Music
The transfer tool is part of the Apple Music app and works on iPhone, iPad, and Android devices. Users in Australia and New Zealand can transfer their music from services like Spotify—provided the content is available in the Apple Music catalog. To begin the process, go to Settings on your iPhone or iPad, find the "Apps" section, select "Apple Music," and then find the new "Transfer Music from Other Music Services" option. After selecting your current streaming service, Apple Music will show you which content can be transferred.
What can be transferred?
Songs, albums, and playlists that you have created yourself can be transferred. Playlists created by other users or by the music service itself are excluded. This means that editorial Spotify playlists or automatically generated mixes, for example, cannot be transferred. Apple Music searches its own catalog for suitable tracks and then automatically adds them to your library. If a specific song is not found, Apple marks it as "needs work" and suggests alternative versions. This way, you can decide for yourself which version you want to transfer. It is also important to know that your existing music library with the old provider will not be deleted. This means you can use both services in parallel if you want.
Availability and outlook
Officially, the tool is currently only available in Australia and New Zealand. However, the first indications of this were already in February 2024, when an Android user discovered the option in a beta version of Apple Music. It is currently unclear when the feature will be available in other countries. However, it is very likely that Apple will soon roll out the feature worldwide – especially because the tool makes switching from Spotify to Apple Music significantly more attractive. Apple is relying on close integration with SongShift, which suggests that the technical basis is stable and can be expanded to many music services. However, the exact content that can be transferred depends on the respective provider.
Why the tool is important for Apple Music
With the new transfer feature, Apple Music closes a gap that has prevented many from switching: the loss of their own music library. Users who have maintained playlists for years are often hesitant to switch services. Apple is now making this step easier, specifically targeting Spotify users who are considering taking a closer look at Apple Music. The integration into the app is a clear advantage—you no longer need third-party apps; everything works directly through Apple Music. This shows that Apple isn't just focusing on content and sound quality, but is also working on user-friendliness.
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Apple Music makes switching easier than ever
With the new transfer tool, Apple Music becomes noticeably more attractive for anyone looking to switch from Spotify or another streaming service. The process is straightforward, integrated directly into the app, and even takes special cases like missing songs or alternative versions into account. Even though the feature is initially only available in Australia and New Zealand, the direction is clear: Apple Music wants to make the switch as easy as possible – and this is likely to be the deciding factor for many to take the plunge in the future. So, if you've been hesitant to try Apple Music, this new tool could be just the argument you've been missing. (Image: Shutterstock / sdx15)
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