Transfer a Spotify Playlist to Apple Music: Steps and Limits

Switching music apps shouldn't mean losing the playlists you've spent years building. That matters even more if a playlist is part of your work, such as a studio warm-up mix, a shop soundtrack or a set you share with clients.

The short version is that Apple has a transfer tool, and it's the Apple side that starts the move. I've followed Apple's own Apple Music guide for the steps, plus Spotify's help pages for what Spotify says about moving music. If a screen looks different, trust the screen and Apple's current guide.

Can you transfer a Spotify playlist to Apple Music?

Yes, with conditions. Apple's guide says that if you have an Apple Music membership, you can add music you've saved and playlists you've created in third-party music services to your Apple Music library. It also says two things worth knowing up front:

• The transfer is provided by a third party.
• Apple Music, and transferring music from other services, aren't available in all countries or regions.

Spotify's help pages, meanwhile, describe importing into Spotify. They don't offer a button for sending your playlists out, so I wouldn't go looking for one.

What to set up before you transfer Spotify playlists

Apple lists two things to check:

1. You're signed in to your Apple Account.
2. Sync Library is turned on in the Music settings.

Apple says you can check Sync Library by clicking the link in the bottom-left corner of the window to open the Music app on your computer or device. It also points to a separate Apple article on using Sync Library.

Before you start, it's worth tidying the Spotify side. If you haven't made the playlist yet, see my guide to making a playlist on Spotify. Rename any playlists with unclear names and remove duplicates, so you know exactly what you're moving.

Moving a Spotify playlist to Apple Music on the web

These are the steps in Apple's guide:

1. Go to music.apple.com.
2. Click the profile button in the bottom-left corner, then choose Transfer Music. If you don't see it, sign in with your Apple Account.
3. Select a music service, then sign in to that service.
4. Select what you want to transfer (all or selected items).
5. Click Add to Library.

Apple notes that, depending on the service, you might be able to move everything or only certain items, for example only the playlists you created.

What the Apple Music transfer message means

When it finishes, Apple says you'll see one of two messages in the bottom-left corner:

• Transfer Complete: it worked, and you see a summary of the music added to your library. Click OK.
• Some Music Needs Review: it finished, but some music wasn't transferred. You can review it and choose alternative versions if there are any.

Reviewing songs that didn't match on Apple Music

Apple explains that during the transfer, your music is matched with the same music in the Apple Music catalog. Sometimes there's no match for a song, music video or album. For example, a live version might not be in the catalog, but a deluxe version is.

To review, go to music.apple.com and either click Review Now in the Review Your Transfer message on the Home page, or click the profile button and choose Review Current Transfer. You can pick from the alternatives Apple offers or ignore the suggestions.

It's worth ten minutes here. A transferred playlist can quietly swap a version of a track, and that matters if the playlist is for a class, event or a client's brand.

Will transferring remove anything from Spotify?

Apple's guide says nothing is removed from the other music service. So your Spotify playlists stay put, which makes this a low-risk move. You'd only end up with two copies, and you can keep Spotify going alongside Apple Music for a while.

If you're still deciding which service suits you, my overview of Spotify alternatives is a good place to compare.

Keeping a copy of your Spotify data before you switch

If you're leaving Spotify entirely, Spotify's help says its Download your data tool, in the Account Privacy section of your account page, gives you a ZIP file with a copy of your personal data in a machine-readable form. It's the same data you'd use to port your information to another provider. Spotify says it includes your playlists and Your Library in the account data package.

Don't close your Spotify account until you've checked the transfer. My notes above on reviewing songs will help you spot what's missing.

Planning which Spotify playlists are worth moving

You don't have to move everything. Apple says that depending on the service, you may be able to transfer all your music or only certain items. If you have years of old playlists, start with the ones you use for work or daily listening, check how they come across, then decide whether the rest are worth the trouble.

It also helps to keep a short note of playlists you rely on, such as your morning mix or a class playlist, so that after the transfer you can check each one against the original in a few minutes.

If the Transfer Music option is missing or won't work

• Check you're signed in to your Apple Account at music.apple.com.
• Check that Sync Library is on.
• Check that Apple Music is available in your country or region, since Apple says transfers aren't available everywhere.
• If a song is missing, use the review step rather than starting again.
• If the problem is with the transfer service itself, contact Apple Support or the transfer provider.

Frequently asked questions

Can I transfer a Spotify playlist to Apple Music?

Yes, Apple's guide says you can add playlists and saved music from third-party services to your Apple Music library, if the feature is available in your country or region.

Where is Transfer Music in Apple Music?

Go to music.apple.com, click the profile button in the bottom-left corner and choose Transfer Music.

Will my playlist be deleted from Spotify?

No. Apple says nothing is removed from the other music service.

Why were some songs not transferred?

Apple matches songs with its catalog, and sometimes no match exists. If you see Some Music Needs Review, you can pick alternatives or ignore them.

Is Apple's transfer tool run by Apple?

Apple says transferring music to Apple Music is provided by a third party.