Apple Music Expands Music Transfer Tool to More Countries, Making Switching Easier

Apple has rolled out a major update to its music transfer tool behind the scenes, making it accessible to a much broader group. Last week, the feature officially launched to U.S., United Kingdom, Canadian, German, Brazilian, French, Mexican, Australian, and New Zealand users. This is a big move for Apple Music as it continues to battle Spotify, YouTube Music, and other streaming services.

First launched in May 2025, the feature was initially limited to Australia and New Zealand. Apple is now expanding it as a part of the broader release. It will ensure that changing to Apple Music does not result in users losing their current playlists and music libraries.

How Apple Music's Transfer Tool Works

The transfer feature is driven by SongShift, a popular service dedicated to transferring playlists from one streaming app to another. From this integration, Apple Music subscribers can now seamlessly transfer their stored songs, albums, and playlists from competing services into Apple Music without incurring any extra cost.

Users can access the transfer tool in two ways:

• Through iPhone and iPad settings.

• Directly on the web via music.apple.com.

This flexibility makes it easier for both mobile and desktop users to begin the transfer process without relying on third-party apps.

Supported Platforms

Apple Music’s transfer tool currently supports major streaming competitors, including:

• Spotify

• YouTube Music

• TIDAL

• Deezer

• And of course, Apple Music itself (for internal migration needs)

This wide compatibility ensures that users migrating from different ecosystems won’t face major roadblocks when bringing their collections over to Apple Music.

The Transfer Process in Detail

Once a user starts the transfer, Apple Music attempts to match each song to its catalog. If a track cannot be found, the system flags it for manual review, giving users the chance to decide how to handle unmatched content.

But there is one significant limitation to consider here: only user-created playlists can be transferred. That means algorithmic mixes or editorial playlists that other platforms have curated cannot be transferred. Nevertheless, this functionality is tremendously valuable for users with big personal playlists accumulated over time.

Why This Update Matters

One of the largest headache sources for switching music platforms for many years has been the loss of saved music libraries. By expanding its transfer feature, Apple is making the switch to migrate much less daunting for prospective users. This might push more individuals to switch over, particularly in areas where Spotify and YouTube Music hold sway.

In addition, by natively supporting SongShift, Apple Music eliminates the necessity for consumers to rely on third-party apps or paid services for music transfer. The seamless and free integration is a compelling motivation for anyone contemplating the transition.

The rollout of Apple Music's transfer tool is a strategic play in the ongoing war among the music streaming giants. By making it easier for new subscribers to jump on board, Apple Music not only enhances its user experience but also solidifies its competitive advantage against Spotify, YouTube Music, and TIDAL.

For customers who have been wary of jumping ship because of the inconvenience of switching playlists, this release finally offers a straightforward, easy, and free solution. With more areas encompassed, Apple Music is making its ecosystem more inviting than ever.