How to Download Music from Apple Music: A Comprehensive Guide

Apple Music is a fantastic streaming service that gives you access to millions of songs, albums, and playlists. But what if you want to listen to your favorite tracks offline, without relying on a constant internet connection? That’s where downloading music from Apple Music comes in. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process step-by-step, covering various devices and scenarios. Whether you’re using an iPhone, iPad, Android device, Mac, or Windows PC, you’ll find the instructions you need here.

Understanding Apple Music Downloads

Before we dive into the specifics, let’s clarify a few key points about downloading music from Apple Music:

Subscription Required: You must have an active Apple Music subscription to download songs for offline listening. Free trials may allow downloads, but once the trial ends, you won’t be able to access your downloaded content without subscribing.
Download Restrictions: Downloaded songs are not permanent copies that you own. They are cached files within the Apple Music app and are tied to your subscription. If your subscription lapses, these downloads will become unavailable.
Storage Space: Downloads take up space on your device. Keep this in mind, especially if you have limited storage. You can manage your downloaded content to free up space when needed.
Cross-Device Availability: Downloaded songs are typically available only on the devices you use to download them (unless you enable iCloud Music Library). This means downloading on your iPhone doesn’t automatically make the music available offline on your iPad, for instance.

Downloading Music on iPhone and iPad

The process for downloading music on iPhones and iPads is very similar. Here’s how to do it:

Open the Apple Music App: Locate and tap the Apple Music app icon on your home screen.
Find the Music You Want to Download:
- Browse: Use the ‘Browse’ tab at the bottom of the screen to explore new releases, curated playlists, and more.
- Search: Tap the ‘Search’ tab to look for specific songs, artists, albums, or playlists.
- Library: Go to the ‘Library’ tab to find music you’ve already added to your collection.
Select an Album, Playlist, or Song: Once you’ve found the music you want, tap on the album, playlist, or individual song.
Initiate the Download:
- For an Album or Playlist: Tap the plus (+) symbol next to the album or playlist title. The symbol will change to a download icon (a cloud with a downward arrow), indicating that it’s added to your library. Then tap this new download icon to download the entire album or playlist.
- For an Individual Song: Tap the three dots (…) next to the song title. A menu will appear. Then tap ‘Add to Library’ first, if not already present, then the new downlaod icon next to the song title.
View Download Progress: You’ll see a download progress indicator (a circle filling up) next to the song, album or playlist. Once the download is complete, the download icon will disappear.
Access Downloaded Music: Downloaded music will now be available in your library under ‘Downloaded’ on the ‘Library’ tab.
Download Queue: When you initiate multiple downloads, you’ll see a download queue at the top of the ‘Library’ tab, represented by a cloud with a downward arrow and a number. Tap this to see the download progress of each item.

Downloading Music on Android

The process on Android is similar to iOS:

Open the Apple Music App: Locate and tap the Apple Music app icon on your Android device.
Find the Music You Want to Download: Use the ‘Browse,’ ‘Search,’ or ‘Library’ tabs to find the music you wish to download.
Select an Album, Playlist, or Song: Tap on the desired item to access its page.
Initiate the Download:
- For an Album or Playlist: Tap the plus (+) symbol next to the title to add to your library. The symbol will change to a download icon (a cloud with a downward arrow), then tap this download icon to download the entire album or playlist.
- For an Individual Song: Tap the three dots (…) next to the song title. A menu will appear. Then tap ‘Add to Library’ first, if not already present, then the new downlaod icon next to the song title.
View Download Progress: You’ll see a download progress indicator (a circle filling up) next to the song, album or playlist. Once the download is complete, the download icon will disappear.
Access Downloaded Music: Downloaded music will now be available in your library under ‘Downloaded’ on the ‘Library’ tab.
Download Queue: Similar to iOS, you’ll see a download queue at the top of the ‘Library’ tab, represented by a cloud with a downward arrow and a number, when multiple items are downloading.

Downloading Music on macOS

The Apple Music app on macOS provides a user-friendly way to download content:

Open the Apple Music App: Locate the Music app in your Applications folder or via Spotlight search.
Find the Music You Want to Download: Use the ‘Browse,’ ‘Search,’ or ‘Library’ sections to locate the music you desire.
Select an Album, Playlist, or Song: Click on the item to access its page.
Initiate the Download:
- For an Album or Playlist: Click the plus (+) button next to the album or playlist title to add to library. A download icon (a cloud with a downward arrow) will appear next to it. Click on the download icon to initiate the download.
- For an Individual Song: Click the three dots (…) next to the song title. A menu will appear. Then click ‘Add to Library’ first, if not already present, then click the new downlaod icon next to the song title.
View Download Progress: You will see a download progress circle appearing next to the music being downloaded. The download icon will disappear once the download is complete.
Access Downloaded Music: Downloaded music will now be available in your library under ‘Downloaded’ in the sidebar.
Download Queue: In the sidebar, a cloud icon with a downward arrow is visible if you have items downloading. Click this to access your download queue and check the download progress.

Downloading Music on Windows PC

On Windows, you can download music via the Apple Music app or the Apple Music web interface.

Using the Apple Music App for Windows

Install the Apple Music App: If you haven’t already, download and install the Apple Music app from the Microsoft Store.
Open the Apple Music App: Launch the Apple Music app.
Find the Music You Want to Download: Use the ‘Browse,’ ‘Search,’ or ‘Library’ sections to find your desired tracks, albums, or playlists.
Select an Album, Playlist, or Song: Click on the desired item.
Initiate the Download:
- For an Album or Playlist: Click the plus (+) button next to the title to add to your library. A download icon (a cloud with a downward arrow) will appear next to it. Click on the download icon to initiate the download.
- For an Individual Song: Click the three dots (…) next to the song title. A menu will appear. Then click ‘Add to Library’ first, if not already present, then click the new downlaod icon next to the song title.
View Download Progress: You will see a download progress circle appearing next to the music being downloaded. The download icon will disappear once the download is complete.
Access Downloaded Music: Downloaded music will now be available under ‘Downloaded’ in the sidebar.
Download Queue: In the sidebar, a cloud icon with a downward arrow is visible if you have items downloading. Click this to access your download queue and check the download progress.

Using the Apple Music Web Interface

The web interface has limited functionality compared to the app. It does not fully support offline downloads. You can add songs, albums and playlists to your library, but actual download of music can not be initiated through this platform, requiring the use of the app on a desktop or mobile device instead.

Managing Downloaded Music

Over time, your downloaded music can take up a significant amount of storage space. Here’s how to manage it:

Removing Downloads on iPhone, iPad, and Android

Navigate to Downloaded Music: Go to the ‘Library’ tab and tap ‘Downloaded’.
Remove Downloads:
- For an Album or Playlist: Tap the three dots (…) next to the album or playlist title and select ‘Remove’. Select ‘Remove Downloads’.
- For Individual Songs: Tap the three dots (…) next to the song title, and select ‘Remove’. Select ‘Remove Downloads’.
Confirm Removal: You may be asked to confirm that you want to remove the download. Confirm.

Removing Downloads on macOS and Windows

Navigate to Downloaded Music: Locate the ‘Downloaded’ section in the sidebar of the Music app.
Remove Downloads:
- For an Album or Playlist: Right-click (or control-click) on the album or playlist and choose ‘Remove Download’.
- For Individual Songs: Right-click (or control-click) on the song, and select ‘Remove Download’.
Confirm Removal: You may be asked to confirm that you want to remove the download. Confirm.

Troubleshooting Download Issues

Sometimes, you might encounter issues with downloading music. Here are some common problems and their solutions:

Insufficient Storage: If your device is full, you won’t be able to download more music. Free up space by deleting unwanted files, photos, or apps.
Poor Internet Connection: A weak or unstable internet connection can interrupt downloads. Ensure you have a strong Wi-Fi signal or sufficient cellular data.
Apple Music Server Issues: Sometimes, Apple Music servers might have temporary issues, preventing downloads. Try again later. Check the Apple System Status page to see if Apple’s services are operating correctly.
Outdated Software: Make sure you have the latest version of iOS, iPadOS, Android, macOS, or the Windows Apple Music app installed. Older versions might have bugs that can interfere with downloads.
Restart Your Device: A simple restart can often resolve minor software glitches.
Check Your Subscription: Verify that your Apple Music subscription is active and hasn’t expired.
iCloud Music Library: Ensure that iCloud Music Library is enabled on your devices in order to keep your downloaded music accessible across multiple devices (this will not enable downloads on devices where you haven’t manually downloaded them).

Tips for Optimizing Your Downloads

Download Over Wi-Fi: Downloading music over Wi-Fi will conserve your cellular data and usually provides faster download speeds.
Prioritize Downloads: If you have multiple items in your download queue, pay attention to download progress to ensure your most important items download first.
Manage Download Quality: In your Apple Music settings, you can adjust the download quality settings to balance storage usage with sound quality. Lower quality downloads will use less space.
Use Smart Playlists: Create smart playlists based on your download criteria to organize your offline music.

Conclusion

Downloading music from Apple Music is a straightforward process that lets you enjoy your favorite tunes offline, no matter where you are. By following the detailed steps provided in this guide for your specific device, you can effortlessly manage your offline library and get the most out of your Apple Music subscription. Remember to regularly manage your downloads to optimize your device’s storage and ensure you always have access to the music you love.

By understanding the download process, managing your music library efficiently and using troubleshooting techniques, you can get the most out of your Apple Music experience.