Affiliate links on Android Authority may earn us a commission. Learn more.
How to download music on iPhone devices
Streaming music through an internet connection is convenient, but it’s not always the best option. You can be left tuneless if you find yourself without an internet connection or a limited data allowance. This is why it’s important to know how to download music on iPhone devices. Having your favorite songs locally stored will ensure you always have something to listen to.
Read more: The best iPhone 14 alternatives
QUICK ANSWER
Most music streaming services allow you to download music on iPhone devices, given that you're a subscriber. If you prefer keeping your songs stored locally, you can also download the files straight into your phone using iTunes on Windows or Apple Music on a Mac.
JUMP TO KEY SECTIONS
How to download music from streaming services onto your iPhone
You can download music on iPhone devices even if you’re a streaming service user. Services like Apple Music, YouTube Music, and Spotify allow subscribers to download songs and playlists for offline use. Of course, you’ll need to be a paid subscriber to enjoy this benefit. Additionally, services often check your subscription status from time to time, so you can only go offline for so long. The window is usually pretty long, though. For example, Apple Music allows you to play offline songs for about a month.
Are you trying to download music on iPhone handsets using streaming services? We’ll show you how to do it using some of the most popular ones.
Apple Music
- Launch Apple Music.
- Go into your Library and find the song you want to download.
- Tap on the three-dot menu button next to the song.
- Select Download.
YouTube Music
- Launch YouTube Music.
- Go into your Library and find the song you want to download.
- Tap on the three-dot menu button next to the song.
- Select Download.
Spotify
- Launch Spotify.
- Find and go into the playlist or album you want to download. You can’t download individual songs.
- Tap on the Download button, which looks like an arrow pointing down.
Amazon Music
- Launch Amazon Music.
- Go into your Library and find the song, playlist, or album you want to download.
- Tap on the three-dot menu button next to it.
- Select Download or Download in.
TIDAL
- Launch TIDAL.
- Find the album or playlist you want to download for offline listening. Go into it.
- Tap on the Download button.
How to download music onto your iPhone as a local file
Of course, you don’t need a secondary music streaming service to download music to iPhone devices. Those cost money, after all, and your iPhone probably has plenty of storage. If you already have songs downloaded locally, you can easily transfer them to your iPhone using any computer.
Using a Windows PC
- Connect your iPhone to your computer via a USB cable.
- Launch iTunes on your PC.
- Simply search through your songs, then drag and drop your music to your iPhone, under Devices.
- You can also opt to sync your whole library.
- Open your device settings by clicking on the iPhone icon.
- Under Settings, click on Music.
- Checkmark the Sync Music option.
- Hit Apply and Done.
Using a Mac computer
- Connect your iPhone to your computer via a USB cable.
- Go to your Finder and select the iPhone you want to transfer music to.
- Go into Music.
- Hit Sync music onto [device name].
- Set your preferences.
- When done, select Apply.
FAQs
Most music streaming services allow you to download songs, playlists, or albums. This is usually a premium feature only reserved for paid subscribers, though.
Locally stored songs can be played whenever you wish. If you downloaded a song from a music streaming service, though, there is usually a limit on how many days you can play it offline. For example, Apple Music will let you play a downloaded song for about 30 days after you go offline. Of course, this number will reset whenever your iPhone connects to the internet.
Of course! You can use iTunes on Windows or Apple Music on Mac computers.
Yes. All iPhones come with the iTunes Store, where you can easily purchase music from.