Spotify has become the go-to music streaming service for many, thanks to its vast library, user-friendly interface, and innovative features. However, the lack of hi-res audio quality might leave some users yearning for a richer listening experience. Apple Music, with its lossless hi-res tracks, spatial audio, and Dolby Atmos Music, offers a compelling alternative. But the thought of leaving behind your meticulously curated Spotify playlists and favorite songs can be daunting. This guide aims to ease your transition by outlining the best methods for transferring your Spotify playlists to Apple Music, minimizing any loss of your hard-earned musical effort.
The Dilemma: Superior Sound vs. Lost Effort
The decision to switch from Spotify to Apple Music comes down to a crucial trade-off: superior audio quality versus potentially losing all the time you’ve invested in building your perfect music experience on Spotify. While Apple Music offers a richer sound, leaving Spotify might feel like abandoning your curated playlists and favorite tracks. Fortunately, various tools, both free and paid, can help you transfer your music with minimal disruption.
Getting Started: Prepping for the Switch
The good news is that whether you’ve been using Spotify for free or as a Premium subscriber, you can still transfer your playlists. Even free Spotify users can create and curate their own playlists, offering a solid foundation for the transfer process. Here’s a quick checklist before you begin:
1.
Spotify Account:
You’ll need a Spotify account with the playlists you want to transfer. This includes playlists you created yourself and any user-generated playlists you’ve followed. Remember that Spotify-curated playlists like Discover Weekly might not always transfer.2.
Apple Music Subscription:
You’ll need an active Apple Music subscription, which requires a fee. Don’t worry, a trial period works just fine. Keep in mind that not every song available on Spotify is available on Apple Music, so you might lose some tracks or albums in the process.Using SongShift: A Free App for Seamless Transfers
SongShift is our top pick for transferring playlists on iOS devices. You can try it as a guest, but the free version offers limited features. To maximize its capabilities, consider upgrading to a Pro account for faster transfers and additional benefits.
1.
Account Connections:
Sign into your Spotify and Apple Music accounts within SongShift.2.
Select Your Source:
Choose your Spotify playlists, albums, or individual songs you want to transfer. SongShift will display matching tracks and highlight any that don’t match. You can re-match or ignore them to avoid transferring the wrong songs.3.
Set Your Destination:
Simply choose Apple Music as your destination. Once you’ve reviewed the song matches, SongShift will start the transfer process. Remember, free tier transfers take longer than Pro subscriptions, so consider performing them on a desktop to avoid draining your device’s battery.Alternative App: Switcheroo Transfer for a Simpler Approach
If you prefer a streamlined approach, Switcheroo Transfer is another free iOS option, although it offers a more limited range of supported services and only transfers playlists, not albums or individual songs. Sign in to your Spotify account, select the playlists you want to transfer, and move them over to your Apple Music account. As with SongShift, you’ll need an active Apple Music subscription for this to work.
Paid Transfer Services: Powering Up Your Transfer Options
Several paid transfer services have emerged, offering improved features and easier-than-ever playlist migrations. These services can be accessed through a web browser, mobile app, or desktop app for Windows, macOS, and Linux. Free tiers often limit you to transferring one playlist at a time, while paid plans allow you to move entire music libraries. Here are some popular options:
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Free Your Music:
This service offers a one-time fee of $20 for unlimited song, playlist, and album transfers. Upgrade to a premium or lifetime subscription for additional features like cloud storage, syncing across services, and sharing options.*
Soundiiz:
The free tier allows you to transfer playlists you created but restricts transfers to one playlist at a time, with a limit of 200 songs per playlist. A monthly subscription of $4.50 or an annual subscription of $36 removes these limitations.*
Tune My Music:
The free tier caps you at 1,000 tracks and doesn’t offer syncing options. Upgrade to a paid plan for $4.50 per month or $24 per year to unlock unlimited conversions and up to 20 automatic syncs.Canceling Your Spotify Subscription
Once your playlist transfers are complete, it’s time to say goodbye to your Spotify subscription (especially if you were a paid subscriber).
1.
Visit Your Spotify Account Overview:
Navigate to Spotify’s account overview webpage.2.
Change Your Plan:
Locate the ‘Your Plan’ section and click the ‘Change Plan’ button.3.
Cancel Premium:
Scroll down to the ‘Cancel Spotify’ section and choose ‘Cancel Premium.’ Confirm your cancellation.4.
Verify Your Email:
Check your email for a confirmation message. This confirmation is crucial to ensure your account has been canceled.5.
Close Your Account (Optional):
Spotify now allows you to fully close your account after canceling Premium. Visit the account closure page and follow the instructions. You’ll have seven days to reactivate before your account is permanently deleted. Remember that closing your account will also remove access to audiobooks and playlists, so only do this after all transfers are complete.With these steps, you’ll be well on your way to enjoying the superior sound quality of Apple Music without losing your precious playlists. Happy listening!
