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How to transfer playlists from Apple Music to Spotify and vice versa depends on the direction: Spotify offers a mobile importer powered by TuneMyMusic, while Apple Music provides a built-in transfer tool for iPhone, iPad, Android, and the web. Both methods copy playlist information and match songs to the destination catalog; neither moves downloaded audio files.
Key takeaways
- Apple Music to Spotify transfers start in Spotify’s mobile app at Your Library > Import your music from other apps.
- Spotify to Apple Music transfers start at Transfer Music from Other Music Services on Apple devices, Android, or the Apple Music web player.
- Apple’s native transfer tool supports user-created playlists, but Apple says service-created playlists cannot be transferred through that method.
- Transfers create copies in the destination service, so the original playlists remain available until you delete them.
- Song matching is not guaranteed because catalogs, regions, editions, explicit-content settings, and licensing differ between services.
- Third-party tools are most useful for large batch transfers, missing-track reports, file imports, or automatic synchronization after the initial migration.
What should you use first?
Use the built-in method for the direction in which you are moving. For Apple Music to Spotify, use Spotify’s mobile importer. For Spotify to Apple Music, use Apple Music’s native transfer feature. The official methods are the simplest starting points and avoid paying for a migration service when a modest library can be moved without one.
| Move | Best first method | Where it works | Important limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Music to Spotify | Spotify’s Import your music from other apps | Spotify mobile app | Spotify’s cited instructions do not document the feature for desktop. |
| Spotify to Apple Music | Apple Music’s Transfer Music from Other Music Services | iPhone, iPad, Android, and web | Requires an Apple Music subscription and Sync Library on Apple devices. |
| Either direction, larger library | TuneMyMusic or Soundiiz | Primarily web-based | Free limits and paid features vary. |
| Either direction, iPhone or iPad | SongShift | iPhone and iPad | Free download with in-app purchases; not an Android or desktop-first solution. |
What should you do before transferring playlists?
Before starting, keep both music accounts active and do not cancel the old subscription. Update the relevant apps, confirm the account usernames and passwords, and use a stable internet connection. Keeping the source service available gives you a way to compare playlists and recover songs that cannot be matched.
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A playlist transfer is a metadata migration, not an audio-file transfer. The transfer service reads information such as playlist names, track titles, artists, albums, and sometimes identifiers such as ISRC, then searches the destination catalog for corresponding recordings. Offline downloads are not moved; you must download music again in the destination app.
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How do you transfer Apple Music playlists to Spotify?
Spotify’s mobile app includes an importer called Import your music from other apps. Spotify says the feature is powered by TuneMyMusic and directs users to TuneMyMusic support when an import fails. Follow Spotify’s official mobile importing instructions.
- Open the Spotify app on your phone or tablet.
- Tap Your Library.
- Tap Import your music from other apps.
- Select Apple Music.
- Sign in to Apple Music and authorize access when prompted.
- Select the tracks or playlists to import.
- Tap Transfer to Spotify.
- Authenticate with Spotify if Spotify asks you to do so.
- Open Your Library and check the imported playlists and tracks.
The Spotify help page labels this feature For: Mobile. If you cannot find the importer in the desktop Spotify app, use the mobile route instead. Update the Spotify app, confirm that you are signed into the intended account, and look again under Your Library.
What if Spotify’s importer is missing or fails?
First update Spotify, confirm your internet connection, and verify that you are using the mobile app rather than the desktop app. If the importer is still unavailable or the transfer reports an error, use TuneMyMusic directly as a browser-based fallback. Spotify’s own support page identifies TuneMyMusic as the partner behind its importer and directs users to TuneMyMusic support for import problems.
Do not repeatedly start new transfers before checking whether the first transfer finished. Open Spotify’s Your Library, inspect the destination playlists, and compare the source and destination track counts before retrying.
How do you transfer Spotify playlists to Apple Music?
Apple Music provides a built-in Transfer Music from Other Music Services feature on iPhone, iPad, Android, and the web. Apple published its transfer documentation on March 31, 2026, and says the transfer function is provided by a third party. The process copies songs, albums, and playlists into Apple Music rather than deleting the originals.
Apple requires an active Apple Music subscription, credentials for the source service, a current supported app or browser access to Apple Music on the web, and Sync Library enabled on Apple devices. Availability can vary by country or region; Apple lists China mainland, Myanmar, and Russia as exceptions in its Apple Music transfer requirements and instructions.
On iPhone or iPad
- Open the Apple Music app.
- Tap your profile photo, monogram, or My Account button.
- Tap Transfer Music from Other Music Services.
- Choose Spotify and sign in to Spotify.
- Select the songs, albums, and playlists you want to transfer.
- Tap Add to Library.
- Wait while Apple Music matches the selections to its catalog.
- Review any alternatives that Apple Music could not match exactly.
On Android
- Open Apple Music.
- Tap More.
- Tap Settings.
- Select Transfer Music from Other Music Services.
- Choose Spotify and sign in.
- Select the material to move.
- Tap Add to Library.
On the web
- Open Apple Music on the web and sign in with the Apple Account used for Apple Music.
- Click your profile photo or monogram in the top-right corner.
- Select Transfer Music.
- Choose Spotify and sign in if requested.
- Select the playlists, songs, or albums to transfer.
- Click or tap Add to Library.
- Review the result and resolve any tracks Apple Music marks for review.
What do “Transfer Complete” and “Some Music Needs Review” mean?
Transfer Complete means Apple Music has finished processing the selection. Some Music Needs Review means Apple Music could not find an exact match for at least some material but has suggested alternatives. Apple provides a 30-day review period from the initial transfer. A new transfer cannot be started on that device while music remains awaiting review.
Open the review list and inspect each proposed alternative. Check the album, release, version, featured artists, and explicit-content status before accepting a replacement. If the transfer shows “Something Went Wrong,” Apple recommends checking the internet connection and selecting Try Again.
What transfers between Apple Music and Spotify?
The exact scope depends on the source, destination, region, and transfer method. Apple’s native tool says that available content varies by service, while TuneMyMusic advertises broader support for playlists, liked songs, saved albums, followed artists, file formats, and transfers between supported services.
| Content | Expected result | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| User-created playlists | Usually transferable | Compare song count, order, and versions after import. |
| Service-created playlists | Not transferable through Apple’s native method | Editorial, algorithmic, and personalized lists may require manual recreation or different access through a third-party tool. |
| Liked or loved songs | May transfer, depending on direction and method | Apple places supported liked or loved songs in an Apple Music Favorite Songs playlist. |
| Saved albums | Supported by Apple’s native transfer and some third-party tools | Check whether the complete album and the intended edition were matched. |
| Followed artists | Supported by some third-party tools where the platform permits it | Do not assume artist-follow data transfers through every native route. |
| Offline downloads | Do not transfer as downloads | Download the music again on the destination service. |
| Unavailable tracks | Omitted, flagged, or replaced with an alternative | Look for a review screen or missing-track report. |
| Playlist artwork and every metadata field | Should not be assumed to transfer identically | Verify titles, artwork, descriptions, order, and other details that matter to you. |
Can service-curated playlists transfer?
Apple’s native transfer method transfers only playlists created by the user; Apple explicitly says playlists created by the music service cannot be transferred. That limitation covers the important distinction between a playlist you assembled and a playlist generated or owned by Spotify or Apple Music.
Examples can include editorial, algorithmic, personalized, or other platform-owned playlists. Third-party tools may expose different options, but private, collaborative, generated, and platform-owned playlists can have different access restrictions. No method should promise that every service-generated playlist will transfer.
Why are songs missing or matched to the wrong version?
Missing or incorrect matches happen because Apple Music and Spotify do not have identical catalogs. Regional licensing, removed tracks, album editions, artist-name differences, and recording metadata can all affect the result. A song may also be unavailable in the destination country even though the song exists in the source service.
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Matching can also confuse recordings that share similar metadata. Inspect these details when a transfer selects the wrong song:
- Album title and release year
- “Live,” “Remastered,” “Acoustic,” “Radio Edit,” or “Deluxe” labels
- Explicit versus clean versions
- Featured artists and alternate artist names
- Cover versions
- Soundtrack, compilation, and original-album versions
Apple’s review screen is useful when an alternate version is available. TuneMyMusic says it provides a list of tracks that did not transfer and lets users download a CSV of missing tracks through its missing-track and transfer FAQ.
For a playlist with no exact destination equivalent, search manually using the title, artist, album, and version label. If the recording is not licensed in the destination catalog, no migration tool can create a playable catalog match.
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Check Apple device content restrictions before assuming the transfer failed. Apple says explicit tracks may be grayed out when explicit content is disabled on the device. Enable the appropriate explicit-content setting, then check the transferred playlist again.
Which third-party playlist transfer service is best?
Third-party services are worthwhile when the native importer is unavailable, the library is large, multiple services are involved, or you need reports and recurring synchronization. They require authorization to access relevant account data, so use the official service domain or app, review the permissions, and remove access after the migration if you no longer need the connection.
| Service | Best for | Useful capabilities | Limits and observed pricing |
|---|---|---|---|
| TuneMyMusic | Browser-based fallback, missing-track reporting, files, and sync | Apple Music and Spotify transfers, playlist URLs, TXT, CSV, M3U, M3U8, PLS, WPL, and XSPF/XML-related file workflows; missing-track CSV; automatic sync on premium | Its FAQ listed up to 500 tracks free, then $4.50 monthly or $24 annually when checked on August 16, 2026. Prices and limits can change. |
| Soundiiz | Large libraries, batch operations, and multi-service management | Supports Spotify, Apple Music, and 40-plus services according to its pricing page; batch transfer, collection management, file export/import, and automatic synchronization on paid plans | Free tier: one playlist at a time, up to 200 tracks per playlist. The pricing page displayed Premium at $5 monthly or $39 annually and Creator at $9.50 monthly or $75 annually when checked on August 16, 2026. |
| SongShift | iPhone and iPad users who want match review | Match review, queued transfers, batch setup, and playlist monitoring | The App Store lists a free download with in-app purchases. The cited listing does not give one universal transfer price, and transfers into Apple Music require an active Apple Music subscription. |
When is TuneMyMusic the better choice?
Choose TuneMyMusic when Spotify’s integrated importer fails, when you want a browser workflow, when you need a downloadable missing-track CSV, or when you need file import and export. TuneMyMusic advertises preservation of playlist order, but treat that as a vendor claim and compare long or carefully sequenced playlists after transfer.
TuneMyMusic’s FAQ listed a free allowance of up to 500 tracks and premium pricing of $4.50 monthly or $24 annually when checked on August 16, 2026. The same FAQ says premium includes unlimited transfers and up to 20 automatic sync options. A one-month subscription can be used for a one-time transfer and canceled afterward, but confirm the current terms and price before paying.
When is Soundiiz the better choice?
Choose Soundiiz when you need to process many playlists, albums, artists, favorites, or services in batches, or when you want collection-management and synchronization features. Soundiiz’s pricing page says it supports Spotify, Apple Music, and more than 40 services.
Soundiiz is less attractive for one short playlist because the free tier permits one playlist at a time with up to 200 tracks per playlist, while the more useful batch and synchronization features require a paid plan. Soundiiz says transferred playlists remain after cancellation and that the service copies rather than deletes source data.
When is SongShift the better choice?
Choose SongShift if you primarily use an iPhone or iPad and want a dedicated app with match review, queued transfers, batch setup, or playlist monitoring. The SongShift App Store listing identifies Apple Music and Spotify among its supported services and lists the app as free with in-app purchases.
SongShift is a poor fit for an Android user, a desktop-first workflow, extensive file handling, or broad cross-platform library management. Do not interpret “free download” as meaning every transfer or feature is free.
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A one-time playlist transfer does not create permanent two-way synchronization. Apple Music’s native tool is presented as a migration feature, and Spotify’s cited importer does not promise ongoing synchronization.
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For automatic updates after migration, use a third-party synchronization feature. TuneMyMusic says premium includes automatic sync options, while Soundiiz offers automatic synchronization on paid plans. Synchronization can be useful when you continue using both services, but it adds recurring authorization and may reproduce mismatches or deletions differently from a one-time transfer. Review the sync direction and schedule before enabling it.
How do you recover from a stalled or incomplete transfer?
Use the following recovery sequence rather than immediately launching several overlapping transfers:
- Confirm that the phone, tablet, or computer has a stable internet connection.
- Check that the source and destination accounts are still authorized.
- Close and reopen the relevant app, then install any available update.
- Retry with a small playlist first.
- Disconnect and reconnect the source or destination account if authorization expired.
- Check the destination library and compare track counts before starting again.
- Download a missing-track report when the tool provides one.
- For Spotify’s integrated importer, contact TuneMyMusic support as Spotify recommends.
If Apple Music displays Something Went Wrong, Apple specifically recommends checking the connection and tapping Try Again. If Apple Music has music awaiting review, complete or dismiss that review before attempting another transfer on the same device.
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Do not cancel the old subscription until the new library passes a basic verification check. A transfer is normally a copy operation, so the source playlists should remain available while you inspect the destination.
- Open every important destination playlist.
- Compare the source and destination song counts.
- Review the missing-track list or Apple Music’s Some Music Needs Review screen.
- Check live, remastered, deluxe, acoustic, soundtrack, clean, and explicit versions.
- Play several songs from the beginning, middle, and end of long playlists.
- Confirm that important playlists are visible on the devices where you listen.
- Re-download music for offline use in the new service.
- Save an export or backup for especially valuable playlists when the transfer tool supports exports.
- Keep the original service until you are certain that old-service-only playlists and downloads are no longer needed.
Because the destination creates its own playlist copy, an unwanted result can usually be cleaned up by deleting the newly created destination playlist or library entries. There is no universal one-click undo, so preserving the source until verification is the safer approach.
What is the safest recommendation?
Start with the official importer for your direction of travel: Spotify mobile for Apple Music to Spotify, or Apple Music’s transfer feature for Spotify to Apple Music. Use TuneMyMusic when you need a browser fallback, missing-track CSV, file support, or synchronization; use Soundiiz for batch and multi-service management; and use SongShift for an iPhone or iPad workflow with match review.
Whatever method you choose, expect a copy-and-match process rather than a perfect relocation. User-created playlists usually provide the clearest migration path, while service-generated playlists, unavailable recordings, regional catalog differences, and alternate editions require extra checking or manual rebuilding.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does transferring a playlist delete it from Apple Music or Spotify?
No. A normal transfer creates a copy in the destination service and does not delete the original playlist from the source. Keep the original service active until you verify the new playlists.
Can I transfer Spotify playlists to Apple Music without an Apple Music subscription?
Apple lists an active Apple Music subscription as a requirement for its native transfer feature. Third-party apps may have their own requirements, but SongShift’s cited App Store listing also says transfers into Apple Music require an active Apple Music subscription.
Why did some songs fail to transfer?
Songs can fail because the destination catalog, country or region, album edition, explicit-content setting, or recording metadata differs from the source. Review Apple Music’s suggested alternatives or use TuneMyMusic’s missing-track report, then add unavailable songs manually where possible.
Can I transfer an Apple Music or Spotify editorial playlist?
Apple’s native transfer method supports only playlists created by the user, not playlists created by the music service. Third-party tools may expose different options, but access to editorial, algorithmic, private, or collaborative playlists varies and no universal transfer is guaranteed.
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Not through the native migration tools described here. Automatic synchronization is a separate third-party feature offered by services such as TuneMyMusic and Soundiiz, generally through paid plans.
The Bottom Line
Bottom line: Use Spotify’s mobile importer for Apple Music to Spotify, and Apple Music’s built-in transfer tool for Spotify to Apple Music. Check every important playlist before canceling the old service. Choose TuneMyMusic, Soundiiz, or SongShift only when you need larger batch transfers, reports, file handling, match review, or ongoing synchronization.
