If you've spent years relying on iTunes, you know how comforting it is to have all your music, playlists, and albums in one place. iTunes made organizing music simple and syncing it with your iPhone effortless. But times have changed. Apple Music now handles streaming, offering huge libraries, playlists, and access across all your devices. It can feel different for users who grew up with iTunes' familiar interface.
Even with Apple Music taking the lead, iTunes is still useful. For those using iTunes on Windows or Mac, it is more reliable than the Apple Music Web Player for managing music, backing up files, and listening offline. This raises a common question: can Apple Music really sync with iTunes? If you add a playlist or favorite a song in Apple Music, will it appear in your iTunes library?
The answer is both yes and no. Before we explore ways to move your Apple Music library to iTunes, it helps to understand the basics of how Apple Music and iTunes work together.
Wanna transfer your iTunes library to the Apple Music app? Here we offer 4 ways for you.
Part 1. Does Apple Music Sync with iTunes?
iTunes may not be the main focus anymore since Apple Music handles most streaming, but it is still useful for managing, backing up, and playing your music. All songs you've bought, ripped, or added to your library remain safe. The main change is that streaming music now lives in Apple Music, while iTunes manages your local files and device syncing.
Option 1: Sync Streaming Music (Apple Music Subscribers)
Streaming tracks automatically sync with iCloud Music Library or Sync Library. Any song or playlist you add appears on all devices where the feature is enabled, so you don't have to move files manually.
Option 2: Sync Local Music Files (CDs or Downloads)
Local files, like ripped CDs or downloaded media, can be uploaded to iCloud using iTunes Match. Apple Music subscribers already have this included, keeping personal tracks and streaming music together in one library.
Option 3: Sync Entire Apple Music Library
Syncing both streaming and local files can sometimes cause errors if album versions, metadata, or file formats do not match. Checking and correcting track information usually solves most issues. Tools like ViWizard Apple Music Converter can convert your Apple Music library into standard formats for smoother syncing.
Keep Apple Music songs forever by saving them in formats like MP3 to play anywhere.
Key Takeaway:
Syncing Apple Music with iTunes works, but the method depends on your music. Streaming songs use iCloud Music Library, local files use iTunes Match, and combined libraries may benefit from ViWizard Apple Music Converter to avoid errors. Understanding these methods helps keep all your music organized, backed up, and easy to access across devices.
Part 2. How to Download and Transfer Apple Music Library to iTunes Manually (as Your Own Files)
Manual downloading is best if you want full control over your music files. If you have tried to download Apple Music playlists or albums using the Apple Music app, you may have noticed they are protected in M4P files. If you switch to iTunes, you might need to download them again instead of carrying them over directly. These files cannot be used like regular MP3s because of DRM protection. If your goal is offline access, personal backups, or using music for custom purposes like alarms or ringtones, converting your Apple Music library is the way to move it freely.
ViWizard Apple Music Converter helps Apple Music subscribers convert tracks, playlists, albums, artists, or even an entire library into local files such as MP3, M4A, M4B, WAV, AIFF, and FLAC. It preserves lossless audio, keeping details like title, artist, genre, album art, and lyrics. For better organization, it can sort your files by artist, album, or playlist according to your output settings. After conversion, you can add the files to iTunes without an Apple Music subscription or play them directly without iTunes.
Key Features of ViWizard Apple Music Converter
Free Trial Free Trial* Security verified. 5, 481,347 people have downloaded it.
- Convert Apple Music songs, albums, playlists, and artists into MP3 for easy access
- Preserve lossless audio, high-resolution lossless, and Dolby Atmos quality
- Strip DRM from Apple Music for unrestricted offline listening
- Save converted audio files while retaining full ID3 tag details
Step 1 Download and install an Apple Music converter on your Windows PC or Mac, then open the program. If a login prompt appears, sign in with your Apple ID that is linked to your Apple Music library.
Step 2 Browse your library inside the converter. When you find an album, playlist, or song you want to convert, click the + button or use the drag-and-drop option to load all tracks for conversion. You can select multiple playlists if the program allows.
Step 3 Go to the Preferences menu → Conversion. Set the format to MP3. If you want higher quality, change the bit rate to 256 kbps or 320 kbps.
Step 4 Click Convert. Wait while the program removes DRM and saves the songs as MP3 files. This may take some time if your library is large.
Step 5 When conversion finishes, open the output folder from within the converter. Your MP3 files are ready to play, and most converters preserve song info and album artwork automatically.
Step 6 Open iTunes (Windows) or the Music app (Mac). From the top menu, select File > Add File to Library or Add Folder to Library. Navigate to the folder where your MP3s are saved, select the files or folder, and click Open.
Step 7 Check that the songs appear correctly in iTunes with proper titles, artists, and album artwork. If needed, right-click a track and select Get Info to fix any details.
Step 8 Connect your iPhone, iPad, or other device to iTunes. Select your device, go to the Music tab, check the songs or playlists you want to sync, and start syncing.
Step 9 Once syncing finishes, open the Music app on your device to make sure the songs play correctly. Now your Apple Music library is available as standard MP3 files on any device.
Part 3. How to Sync Your Apple Music Library to iTunes Automatically
Automatic syncing is the easiest way to have Apple Music appear in iTunes without handling each track manually. The key is iCloud Music Library in iTunes, or Sync Library in newer versions of the Apple Music app across Mac, iPhone, iPad, and other devices. These features update songs, albums, and playlists across devices automatically. This method works best if you mainly stream music and want everything reflected in iTunes as you add or favorite songs.
1. Sync Apple Music to iTunes on Windows PC
Make sure iTunes is installed and up to date. Sign in with your Apple ID and enable iCloud Music Library in preferences. Playlists and favorited songs from your phone or tablet will appear automatically. Syncing requires an active internet connection and the same Apple ID across devices.
Step 1 On your iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > Apps > Music, then turn on Sync Library. If you don't see it, check that your Apple Music subscription is active.
Step 2 Open iTunes on your PC. If it asks to update, do so to avoid problems while syncing.
Step 3 Click Account > Sign In, then enter the Apple ID you use on your device. Skip this step if you are already signed in.
Step 4 From the top menu, select Account > Authorizations > Authorize This Computer. Enter your Apple ID and password, then click Authorize. If your computer is already authorized, you can continue.
Step 5 Go to Edit > Preferences, and in the General tab, check iCloud Music Library. Click OK to confirm. If the option is not there, make sure you have Apple Music or iTunes Match active.
Step 6 Connect your PC and iPhone or iPad to the same Wi-Fi network. Open the Music app on your device and wait a few minutes. Songs being uploaded will show a cloud icon next to them.
2. Sync Apple Music to iTunes / Music App on Mac
On Mac, use the Music app if you are on a newer macOS. Sign in with your Apple ID and enable Sync Library. Your Apple Music library, including playlists and downloaded songs, will sync automatically, keeping your music experience consistent across Mac and iPhone.
Step 7 Open the Music app on your Mac and go to Music > Preferences. In the General tab, check Sync Library and click OK. If it is greyed out, make sure you are signed in with an Apple Music subscription.
Step 8 Click Account > Authorizations > Authorize This Computer, then sign in with your Apple ID. If your Mac is already authorized, just continue.
Step 9 Make sure your Mac is connected to a Wi-Fi network. You may see a spinning icon in the sidebar while songs sync.
Part 4. How to Transfer Your Apple Music Library to iTunes Automatically
Automatic transfer tools are useful when you want to move playlists or an entire library into iTunes efficiently. As far as we know, only Soundiiz works with both iTunes and Apple Music, treating them as separate platforms. While it is not the same as iCloud syncing, it can achieve a similar result by moving your chosen music into iTunes with minimal effort. Try free transfers first to see if it works for you. For full access to actual audio files, ViWizard Apple Music Converter ensures your Apple Music songs can be used freely.
Step 1 Go to Soundiiz.com and create an account, then log in. If a pop-up about premium features appears, you can ignore it for library transfers.
Step 2 Click Connect next to Apple Music and follow the steps to give permission. Make sure you allow full access to playlists so all songs transfer.
Step 3 Click Connect next to iTunes / Music app. If you exported your library manually, you can upload a CSV file instead.
Step 4 In Soundiiz, click Platform to Platform and select Apple Music as the source. Pick the playlists, albums, or your full library that you want to transfer.
Step 5 Choose iTunes / Music app as the destination, then click Start Transfer. If a warning appears about missing tracks, it usually means they are not available on the other platform.
Step 6 Open iTunes or the Music app to check your playlists. Songs without a cloud icon may need to be downloaded manually, but the rest should be ready to play.
Extra Tip: Key Notes for Transferring Apple Music to iTunes Safely
Keep these points in mind when transferring Apple Music to iTunes to avoid potential issues.
Tip 1: Turn On Sync Library
Some songs or playlists may not appear on all devices if Sync Library is off. Go to iTunes on Windows or the Music app on Mac, open Preferences, and check Sync Library to keep your music the same across all devices.
Tip 2: Back Up Your Local Files
Songs from CDs or other sources can lose ratings, play counts, or metadata when syncing. Make a backup of your iTunes library before turning on Sync Library to avoid losing your information.
Tip 3: Fix Greyed Out or Not Synced Songs
Tracks may look greyed out or show as not synced across devices. This usually happens if iTunes does not recognize the file. Try adding the missing songs again or use File > Library > Organize Library to consolidate your library.
Tip 4: Check Playlists After Syncing
Playlist order can change or some playlists may not appear after syncing. Make sure all playlists are fully uploaded to iCloud Music Library and refresh the library on your devices after any changes.
Tip 5: Be Patient with Large Libraries
Syncing a large library can take hours. Keep iTunes or the Music app open and make sure your internet connection is stable until the process is complete.
Tip 6: Convert DRM-Protected Songs if Needed
Downloaded Apple Music tracks are DRM-protected and may not work as expected in iTunes for manual management. Using ViWizard Apple Music Converter lets you convert these songs to MP3 for offline use, backup, or easier library transfers.
Pro Tip: How to Revert Back to iTunes from Apple Music
If you want to switch back to iTunes on Windows, start by uninstalling Apple Music and related apps, then restart your PC. Open or reinstall standard iTunes, which should automatically recognize your library. You may need to select "Music" from the media dropdown to view your content or recreate playlists, but your main library files usually remain intact.
Uninstall Apple Music: On your Windows PC, open Settings > Apps. Scroll through the list to find Apple Music and any related apps, then click Uninstall. If a confirmation prompt appears, click Yes or Uninstall. Some leftover notifications may pop up - just close them.
Restart PC and iTunes: Restart your PC to clear any remaining Apple Music processes and make sure iTunes can detect your library properly. After restarting, open iTunes. If it is not installed, go to the Apple website, download the installer, and run it. Follow the prompts to complete the installation.
Check Your Library: When iTunes opens, it should automatically recognize your existing library. If you do not see your songs, click the Media Type dropdown at the top left corner and select Music. You may need to wait a minute for iTunes to scan your library, especially if it is large.
Verify Playlists: Browse your library to make sure songs and albums are listed correctly. Most of your main library files remain intact, but if some playlists are missing, you can recreate them manually. Select the tracks, go to File > New Playlist, give it a name, and save.
Sync Your Library (Optional): Connect your iPhone, iPad, or iPod to your PC. Click your device icon in iTunes, then go to the Music tab. Make sure your library or selected playlists are checked for syncing, then transfer your content back to your device. Once syncing finishes, open the Music app on your device to confirm that all songs play correctly. Your library should now be fully accessible through iTunes, just like before switching to Apple Music.
Conclusion:
Each method of moving Apple Music to iTunes has trade-offs. Automatic syncing is convenient but requires the same Apple ID on all devices. Transfer tools like Soundiiz are fast but may have platform or subscription limits. Manual downloading using ViWizard Apple music Conveter gives full control but takes extra steps to organize and convert files. With the right approach, you can move your Apple Music library to iTunes smoothly.
You May Be Interested
Adam Gorden, the digital media specialist at ViWizard, is dedicated to providing the best solutions for digital media management, including audio and video conversion, file optimization, and media workflow enhancements.
Leave a Comment (0)