Most people stream music on their phones these days, but sometimes a dedicated music player just makes more sense. Streaming eats up data, downloaded songs take up space, and you're not always in range of Wi-Fi or cellular signals. A simple, portable device like a Sony Walkman can be perfect, and it still fills that role well. Certain high-end models, like the NWZ-ZX2, even support streaming services such as TIDAL.
I've got a ZX-507, and I use Apple Music just like I do with other options such as TIDAL, thanks to Apple Music's Android app. Most of the time, it works without a hitch, but DRM restrictions can still cause complications for older, non-Android models. No matter which Walkman you have, we'll show practical ways to transfer your Apple Music library so you can keep that simple, satisfying listening experience.
Part 1. Sony Walkman Models That Support Apple Music
Not all Walkmans support Apple Music, but the latest Android-based models do. Here are some of the best options with top performance and full Apple Music support. If you don't see your model listed, check the Sony Help Guide on compatible Walkman models to get in touch with Sony.
Sony NW-ZX507
- Storage: 64GB (approx. 48.64GB usable)
- OS: Android 9.0 (Pie)
- Apps: Supports Apple Music via Google Play
- Battery Life: Up to 20 hours (MP3 128kbps)
- Supported Formats: MP3, FLAC, WMA, AAC, WAV, ALAC, DSD
- Connection: USB Type-C
- Other Features: Hi-Res Audio, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi
- Apple Music Support: Yes
Sony NW-A105
- Storage: 16GB (expandable via microSD)
- OS: Android 9.0 (Pie)
- Apps: Supports Apple Music via Google Play
- Battery Life: Up to 26 hours (MP3 128kbps)
- Supported Formats: MP3, FLAC, WMA, AAC, WAV, ALAC
- Connection: USB Type-C
- Other Features: Hi-Res Audio, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi
- Apple Music Support: Yes
Sony NW-A306
- Storage: 32GB (expandable via microSD)
- OS: Android 12
- Apps: Supports Apple Music via Google Play
- Battery Life: Up to 36 hours
- Supported Formats: MP3, FLAC, WMA, AAC, WAV, ALAC
- Connection: USB Type-C
- Other Features: Hi-Res Audio, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi
- Apple Music Support: Yes
Sony NW-ZX707
- Storage: 64GB (expandable via microSD)
- OS: Android 12
- Apps: Supports Apple Music via Google Play
- Battery Life: Up to 24 hours
- Supported Formats: MP3, FLAC, WMA, AAC, WAV, ALAC
- Connection: USB Type-C
- Other Features: Hi-Res Audio, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi
- Apple Music Support: Yes
Part 2. How to Play Apple Music on Android-Based Sony Walkman
If you own a compatible Walkman, you can install the Apple Music app via Google Play. This lets you explore playlists, build your own, and download songs for offline listening. Make sure your firmware is up to date and use Wi-Fi when downloading music for the best experience. Essentially, it's the same Apple Music experience you'd get on an Android phone, but on a Walkman designed entirely for music.
Steps:
- Swipe up from the home screen and go to Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi.
- Select your network, enter the password, and tap Connect to get online.
- From the home screen, tap the Google Play Store icon.
- In the search bar, type "Apple Music" and tap search.
- Tap Install and follow any on-screen instructions. Wait for the app to finish installing.
- Open the Apple Music app and sign in with your Apple ID. If you don't have an account, create one directly in the app.
- Tap Listen Now or Try It Free to subscribe and access the full library.
- Use the Search feature to find artists, albums, or songs. You can also browse For You, Listen Now, or curated playlists.
- Tap Library > Playlists > New Playlist to create and organize your favorite songs.
- To listen offline, tap the Download icon next to an album, playlist, or song.
- Manage Storage: Check your Walkman's storage under Settings > Storage to avoid overloading the device.
- Use Playback Controls: Skip, repeat, shuffle, or adjust volume using on-screen controls. Some Walkman models also support hardware buttons.
- Sync Across Devices: If you use Apple Music on other devices, make sure your Walkman is connected to Wi-Fi to sync playlists and favorites via iCloud.
- Customize Listening Experience: Adjust sound settings like equalizer, crossfade, or enhancements under Settings > Music to optimize audio quality.
- Update the App Regularly: Check Google Play Store periodically for Apple Music updates to improve performance and access new features.
Part 3. Play Apple Music on Non-Android Sony Walkman (Workaround)
Older Walkmans can only play local files, but this still works perfectly for Apple Music conversion. You can turn DRM-protected streaming music into Walkman-friendly audio files like MP3 or FLAC. ViWizard Apple Music Converter lets you download any on-demand content from your Apple Music library and convert it to a compatible format. Just set the output audio format to MP3 in ViWizard before starting. Pick either the Windows or Mac version of ViWizard to get started.
It's not streaming, and playlists won't update automatically, but you can listen offline on nearly any Walkman. Keep in mind that subscription-only features, like lossless or Dolby Atmos tracks, won't transfer.
Key Features of ViWizard Apple Music Converter
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- 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: Convert Apple Music to DRM-Free Format (MP3)
- Download and install ViWizard Apple Music Converter on your Windows or Mac computer.
- Open ViWizard and log in to your Apple Music account through the built-in player.
- Go to Settings and select MP3 as the output format. Optionally, adjust bit rate, sample rate, and audio channels. Enable options to keep album art, lyrics, and metadata.
- Browse your Apple Music library inside ViWizard and click the "+" button to add songs, albums, or playlists to the conversion list.
- Click Convert to save the tracks as DRM-free MP3 files. After conversion, check the History tab or your output folder.
Step 2: Transfer Apple Music to Your Walkman
Option 1: Direct USB Transfer
- Connect your Walkman to your computer via USB.
- Locate the folder containing the converted Apple Music MP3 files.
- Open the Walkman's storage folder on your computer.
- Drag and drop the Apple Music files into the MUSIC folder on Walkman storage.
Option 2: Using Content Transfer
- Connect your Walkman to your computer.
- Launch Content Transfer.
- Open Finder (Mac) or iTunes (Windows) to locate the converted MP3 files.
- Drag and drop the files into Content Transfer or to your Walkman's MUSIC folder.
Option 3: Using Media Go
- Connect your Walkman to your computer with Media Go installed.
- Launch Media Go.
- In the Music Library, select the converted MP3 files you want to transfer.
- Drag and drop the files to your Walkman. Media Go will place them in the appropriate folder called MUSIC folder.
Step 3: Play Apple Music on Your Walkman
- On your Walkman, open Apps > Music player.
- Select a converted Apple Music file to play, or tap Library > Search > Folder to access your full music library.
- Use on-screen playback controls to play/pause, skip forward/back, or adjust volume. Hardware buttons may also be supported on some models.
Part 4. FAQs About Apple Music on Sony Walkman
Can I use Apple Music on my Sony Walkman?
Only on Android Walkman models like the NW-A306, NW-A105, NW-ZX507, and NW-ZX707. You can install the Apple Music app from Google Play and listen online or offline. Non-Android models need Apple Music songs converted to MP3 or FLAC first.
How do I transfer Apple Music to a non-Android Walkman?
Use tools like ViWizard Apple Music Converter to convert Apple Music tracks to MP3 or FLAC, then put them into your Walkman's MUSIC folder.
Can I install Apple Music on my Walkman?
Yes, on Android Walkman only. Non-Android Walkman cannot run the app, so you must use converted files.
Does Apple Music support Hi-Res audio on Walkman?
Hi-Res songs work best in the Walkman's built-in player. On Android models, the Apple Music app may not always give perfect sound, so converting to FLAC can help.
How do I manage offline music?
If offline songs don't show up, format your SD card in the Walkman and organize your music into folders.
Can I use iTunes with my Walkman?
Not directly. You can transfer MP3 or AAC files from your iTunes library into the Walkman's MUSIC folder.
What are the main limits?
DRM stops direct transfer on non-Android Walkman. Only some Walkman models run the Apple Music app. Hi-Res sound may be limited, and offline music might sometimes not appear.
Conclusion
In the end, you will have those DRM-free Apple Music files and even back up them to those iCloud platforms like Google Drive or media server like Plex. Even if you unscribe to this streaming service, you can still keep the music forever. That's it. When everything is done, you can enjoy Apple Music on your Sony Walkman with beautiful natural sound.
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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.
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