You found your favorite playlist on Spotify. Maybe it's that nostalgic 80s mix or your workout banger collection. Now you're switching to Apple Music and thinking: "How on earth do I move these tracks without rebuilding everything from scratch?" Trust me, I've been there. That panic when you realize your 500-song masterpiece might vanish? Real.
Exporting Spotify playlists to Apple Music isn't as straightforward as clicking a "move" button (I wish!). But it's absolutely doable. I've tested every method out there – the slick tools, the manual grunt work, even some sketchy shortcuts. Some saved me hours, others made me want to throw my laptop. Let's cut through the noise.
Why Bother Transferring Playlists Anyway?
Besides the obvious headache of losing your music library? Here's what I've seen:
- You're ditching Spotify for Apple Music's lossless audio or better integration with Apple devices
- Got a free trial for Apple Music but don't want to abandon your curated playlists
- Sharing playlists with friends who use different platforms (this caused real friction in my friend group last summer!)
- Backing up your precious playlists in case Spotify does something unpredictable
Third-Party Tools: The Fast Lane
When I first needed to export a Spotify playlist to Apple Music, I groaned at manual transfers. Tools automate this by matching songs between platforms. Not perfect though – expect 5-15% mismatch depending on your music taste.
Tool Comparison: Which Gets the Job Done?
| Tool | Free Tier Limits | Cost (Paid) | Match Accuracy | My Experience |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soundiiz | 200 tracks per playlist | $4.50/month | ~90-95% | Most reliable for odd genres. Paid version handled my obscure Japanese city pop mix best. |
| TuneMyMusic | 500 tracks per transfer | $3.99/month | ~85-92% | Free tier is generous. Failed on live versions of songs though. |
| SongShift (iOS only) | 100 tracks per playlist | $4.99/month | ~88% | Super simple app interface. Syncs playlist changes automatically. |
| FreeYourMusic | 100 tracks | One-time $14.99 | ~82% | Desktop app felt clunky. But lifetime payment is nice if you'll transfer often. |
Step-by-Step Walkthrough: Using Soundiiz
Here's exactly how I transferred my "Chill Vibes" playlist last month:
- Create Soundiiz account (email signup takes 20 seconds)
- Connect Spotify: Click "Platforms" > Spotify > Login to your Spotify account when redirected
- Connect Apple Music: Same process but requires enabling "Sync Library" in Apple Music settings first
- Select transfer tool: Click "Transfer" > Choose Spotify as source > Apple Music as destination
- Pick playlist: Select which playlist to export from Spotify to Apple Music
- Review matches (CRITICAL STEP!): Check for grayed-out tracks = unmatched songs. Click to manually match or remove
- Run transfer: Click "Start" and wait 2-15 minutes depending on playlist size
- Verify in Apple Music: Open Apple Music app > Playlists tab > Should appear under "Recently Added"
The Manual Method: When You Want Total Control
Maybe you don't trust third-party apps with your accounts (fair!). Or your playlist is tiny. Manual transfer avoids tool fees and account linking. But let's be real – anything over 50 songs will test your patience.
Exporting Spotify Playlist Data
Spotify doesn't offer a native export button. Workaround time:
- Open Spotify playlist on desktop (mobile won't work)
- Select all tracks: Ctrl+A (Windows) / Cmd+A (Mac)
- Drag selection to desktop folder → Creates .json file with playlist data
- Convert to readable list: Use free sites like Spotify Playlist to Text (spotifyplaylisttotxt.com) or Exportify
Your text file should look like this:
1. Blinding Lights - The Weeknd 2. Watermelon Sugar - Harry Styles 3. Save Your Tears - The Weeknd feat. Ariana Grande ...
Rebuilding in Apple Music
- Open Apple Music > Create new playlist
- Search first song title/artist → Add to playlist
- Repeat endlessly... (pro tip: use Apple Music's search history)
- Bonus: Use iOS Shortcuts app to semi-automate search (requires coding skills)
Why Tracks Go Missing During Export (And How to Fix)
When I exported my indie playlist last year, 22 songs vanished. Here's why:
| Reason | How Common | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Regional licensing issues | Very common | Check if song exists in Apple Music in your country |
| Different song versions (explicit/clean) | Common | Manually search alternate versions post-transfer |
| Unique live/remix versions | Common | Search Spotify version's ISRC code in Apple Music |
| Artist name variations | Occasional | Edit artist name during manual matching |
| Apple Music catalog gaps | Rare | Upload missing MP3s via iTunes Match ($25/year) |
Preserving Your Playlist Mojo: Metadata Tips
Transferring isn't just about songs. Playlists have personality! Here's what carries over (or doesn't):
- Kept: Song order (with automated tools), basic metadata (artist/title/album)
- Lost: Custom cover art, playlist descriptions, added dates, play counts
- Partial: Collaborative status – you'll need to re-share playlist after transfer
FAQs: Your Spotify to Apple Music Transfer Questions Answered
Does exporting Spotify playlists to Apple Music violate terms?
Nope! Both platforms allow playlist exports via third-party tools. You're not breaking DRM – just matching publicly available catalog data.
Can I automate ongoing sync between platforms?
Partial solution: SongShift (iOS) and Soundiiz offer playlist syncing subscriptions. But expect delays and occasional mismatches.
Why is my transferred playlist order reversed?
Most tools add songs chronologically. Fix: In Apple Music, sort playlist by "Recently Added" ascending.
Are free transfer tools safe?
Reputable ones like TuneMyMusic and FreeYourMusic use Spotify/Apple's official APIs. Avoid unknown sites asking for passwords! Proper tools use OAuth login.
Can I transfer Liked Songs?
Yes! In Spotify, create a playlist from "Liked Songs" first. Then export that playlist to Apple Music.
My Personal Horror Story (Learn From My Mistakes)
Last spring, I rushed transferring a 700-song playlist using a free tool I hadn't vetted. Big regrets:
- Lost 68 songs to mismatches because I skipped the preview step
- Tool duplicated 40+ songs (still don't know why)
- Playlist appeared blank on my iPhone until I toggled iCloud Music Library off/on
Total cleanup time: 90 minutes. Lesson? Always test with small playlists first. Now I make a 10-song "test playlist" before big transfers.
Which Method Wins? Quick Decision Guide
| Scenario | Recommended Approach | Time Estimate |
|---|---|---|
| < 50 songs | Manual transfer | 10-30 minutes |
| 50-300 songs | TuneMyMusic (free tier) | 5-15 minutes |
| > 300 songs or frequent transfers | Soundiiz paid plan | 5-20 minutes |
| iOS user wanting ongoing sync | SongShift app | Initial setup: 10 mins |
Beyond the Basics: Pro User Tips
Handling Massive Libraries (1000+ Songs)
When my friend migrated his 1,400-song collection:
- Split into genre-based sub-playlists (rock/hip-hop/electronic)
- Transferred each separately over 3 days
- Used Soundiiz's paid plan for batch processing
- Exported mismatch report to CSV for manual fixes
Dealing With Collaborative Playlists
Shared playlists add complications:
- Clone the collaborative playlist to a private version (Spotify: Playlist menu > Make Private)
- Export your private copy to Apple Music
- Re-share in Apple Music (click ••• > Share Playlist)
- Note: Contributors must rebuild their additions on Apple Music side
When Apple Music Won't Show Transferred Playlists
Infuriating when playlists disappear! Fixes that worked for me:
- Enable iCloud Sync: Settings > Music > Sync Library ON (requires subscription)
- Check hidden purchases: iTunes (PC/Mac) > Account > Hidden Purchases
- Log out/log back into Apple Music on all devices
- Wait 24 hours – Apple's servers can be slow updating
The Verdict: Is It Worth The Effort?
After exporting 12+ playlists between services? Absolutely. Losing your music curation feels like losing a diary. Third-party tools cost less than your coffee run and save hours. Just manage expectations:
- Expect 85-95% automatic match rate (less for niche genres)
- Manual cleanup is inevitable – budget 5 minutes per 100 songs
- Playlist order usually survives if using proper export tools
Final thought? Take screenshots of important Spotify playlists before canceling. Peace of mind is priceless when switching music platforms.
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