Apple Music just got an official boost that convinced a long-time Spotify user to switch for good—and the change sticks. Here’s how the iOS 26 upgrade makes migrating simpler and why this could reshape how you think about your music library.
But first, the core takeaway: a native feature in Apple Music now lets you import your entire music catalog from other services, including Spotify, Deezer, Tidal, Amazon Music, and YouTube Music, directly from your iPhone, iPad, Android device, or even via the web. This is a game-changer for anyone who’s ever burned out on transferring music manually or faced the daunting task of rebuilding years of playlists.
Key points from ZDNET
- Apple Music’s new import feature streamlines moving libraries across services.
- The capability is available to Android users who subscribe to Apple Music as well.
- An active Apple Music subscription is required to access this transfer feature.
Background: my switch from Spotify Premium to Apple Music happened nearly two years ago. I chased Apple’s lossless audio for wired listening and its Dolby Atmos catalog, plus I’m inherently drawn to Apple’s polished interface. Re-creating eight years of saved Spotify tracks in Apple Music felt overwhelming and time-intensive at first.
The turning point came after digging through Reddit for a reliable solution. I discovered SongShift, an app designed to transfer music libraries between services. On SongShift’s free tier, I could move only playlists under 200 songs; a full library transfer required a paid plan.
With iOS 26, Apple announced an official partnership with SongShift, embedding its transfer technology right inside the Apple Music app. This collaboration, tested for over a year, enables users to import entire catalogs from Spotify, Deezer, Tidal, Amazon Music, or YouTube Music straight from the iPhone’s settings.
What this means in practice: if you have an active Apple Music subscription, you can import most of your prior Spotify library at no extra cost. Here’s a step-by-step guide to doing it.
How to import your music library into Apple Music
What you’ll need
- An iPhone or iPad with the latest iOS version, or an Android device with the latest Apple Music app, or access to Apple Music on the web.
- The login credentials for your previous streaming service.
1) On iPhone or iPad
- Open Settings, find Music, and enable Sync Library.
- Tap Transfer Music from Other Services.
- Choose whether to move your entire library or select specific playlists. Note that playlists created by the previous service (for example, Spotify Wrapped compilations) may not transfer.
- Apple Music will complete the transfer and offer alternatives for any songs not available in Apple Music.
2) On Android or web
- Android: In Apple Music, open the menu (three vertical dots) to access settings, then select Transfer Music from Other Music Services and follow the same steps.
- Web: Sign in to Apple Music, click your profile icon in the top-right, select the source you'd like to transfer from, and proceed as above.
Limitations and expectations
- Live sessions from Spotify will not appear in Apple Music.
- Some tracks—particularly movie soundtrack pieces or rare EPs and alternate versions—may not have exact equivalents in Apple Music and could be listed under different albums or not appear at all.
- A small portion of favorite tracks may be permanently unavailable across services. As with any digital catalog switch, some favorites may not survive the migration.
Bottom line: for most users, this feature dramatically reduces the friction involved in moving to Apple Music. If you’re unhappy with your current streaming service and considering a switch, this built-in import tool makes the leap far easier. If you’re seeking the absolute, complete archive of your audio history, you might still consider physical formats or archiving backups—but for streaming, this Apple Music improvement addresses one of the biggest pain points in migrating libraries.
So, what do you think? Will this official import capability push you toward Apple Music, or do you prefer sticking with your current service and using third-party transfer tools? Share your experiences and any tips you’ve discovered in the comments.
