Apple Music lets you stream songs, download eligible tracks for offline listening, and organize your personal library. A USB drive stores audio files and lets you transfer them between compatible devices. If you want to listen to Apple Music in your car, on a smart TV, or through another USB media player, you may wonder, "Can I transfer Apple Music to my USB drive?"
The practical answer is yes for compatible, transferable audio files, but Apple Music subscription downloads cannot be transferred directly through Apple's standard workflow. To prepare eligible Apple Music tracks for use on a USB drive, you can use ViWizard Apple Music Converter to convert them into formats such as MP3, WAV, or FLAC. Then transfer the converted files to your USB drive and play them on compatible devices.
In this guide, we'll show you how to prepare the files, transfer them, and check that your device can play them.
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Part 1. Can You Transfer Apple Music to a USB Drive?
Yes, but transferring music to a USB drive depends on how it was obtained and its file format.
Compatible local audio files, such as MP3 files, can be copied to a USB drive and played on supported devices. iTunes Store purchases can be downloaded to authorized devices, subject to Apple's terms. Purchased songs are commonly available as AAC files in M4A format at 256 kbps; if a car stereo supports MP3 but not AAC, MP3 may be a better choice.
Apple Music subscription downloads are different. Apple supports downloading songs for offline listening within its app, but not exporting them directly as ordinary audio files. Third-party tools such as ViWizard Apple Music Converter advertise conversion of selected tracks into local formats, including MP3, WAV, and FLAC, which users can then transfer to a USB drive. However, this is not an Apple-supported method, and conversion may be subject to Apple's terms and applicable local law. Creating a local file does not grant the right to share, publish, or commercially use the recording.
Part 2. How to Transfer Apple Music Songs to a USB Drive
To transfer music to a USB drive, you need compatible audio files and enough storage space. Personal audio files can be copied directly, while Apple Music subscription downloads require a different approach.
What You Need:
- Apple Music Account: An active subscription to access and download songs.
- ViWizard Apple Music Converter: A tool to convert Apple Music tracks to formats like MP3.
- USB Drive: Enough space to store your music files.
- Computer: Enough storage to download and convert songs before transferring them.
- Internet Connection: A stable connection to download songs and convert them with ViWizard.
2.1Use ViWizard to Convert Eligible Apple Music Tracks to Local Audio Files
ViWizard Apple Music Converter is a desktop app that supports conversion of selected Apple Music tracks to formats such as MP3, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, M4A, and M4B. Check that your device supports the audio format you choose, such as MP3 instead of FLAC. Open the app, access Apple Music, and select the tracks you want to convert. You can convert multiple tracks at once, but start with a small batch to check your settings.
Next, choose an output format and folder in the settings. You can also set how files are named and organized, such as by playlist, artist, or album. Click Convert and wait for the process to finish, then check the output folder. ViWizard also preserves song details, such as artist and album information.
Key Features of ViWizard Apple Music Converter
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- Convert Apple Music songs, playlists, albums, and artists
- Export Apple Music in 6 formats for different devices and players
- Preserve metadata and lyrics when creating music collections
- Organize converted music by artist and album
- Batch download large Apple Music collections
01Open ViWizard Apple Music Converter on your Windows or Mac computer and sign in through the built-in Apple Music player.
02Browse your library and open the song, album, or playlist you want to convert.
03Click Add Music in the bottom-right corner, select your tracks, and click Add to List.
04Open the top-right menu and select Preferences.
05Choose an output format, such as MP3, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, or M4A. Adjust the audio settings if needed, then click OK.
06Click Convert and wait for the process to finish.
07Open History and click the Open Folder icon to find your converted files. Play a few tracks to check that they work.
2.2Organize Music Files for Your Devices
Organize files by artist, album, or playlist. Create folders on the USB drive and use clear file names. If ViWizard organizes files automatically, check the folder structure before transferring them.
01Open the folder containing your converted music files.
02Sort your songs into folders by artist, album, or playlist.
03Give files clear names and make sure your device supports their formats.
04Play a few tracks on your computer before transferring them to the USB drive.
2.3Transfer Music Files to a USB Drive
Connect the USB drive and copy the files using Finder on Mac or File Explorer on Windows. Wait for the transfer to finish before safely ejecting the drive. Large transfers may take several minutes.
01Plug in your USB drive and open File Explorer on Windows or Finder on Mac.
02Check that the drive has enough free space.
03If your device can't read the drive, check its USB and file-system requirements. Back up your files before reformatting, as this erases the drive.
04Open your music folder, select the songs or folders you want, and copy them to the USB drive.
05Wait for the transfer to finish.
06Safely eject the drive before unplugging it. On Windows, select Safely Remove Hardware and Eject Media in the taskbar. On Mac, click the eject icon next to the drive in Finder.
Part 3. How to Play Music from a USB Drive
You can play music from a USB drive if your device supports USB audio and the file formats. Check the device's instructions for setup steps and requirements.
3.1How to Play Music from a USB Drive in Your Car
If your car stereo supports USB music playback, insert the drive into the appropriate port. Select USB or Media on the display, then choose a track or folder. Menu names vary by vehicle. If the drive is not recognized, check the stereo's supported formats and USB requirements.
Connecting an iPhone to a car's USB port differs from inserting a USB drive with music files. Depending on the vehicle, you can also listen through Bluetooth, CarPlay, or built-in Apple Music.
3.2How to Play Music from a USB Drive on Compatible Speakers and Media Players
The steps vary by device. A speaker may play music as soon as you connect the drive, while a media player may require you to select the USB source first. If playback fails, check the supported audio formats and USB requirements. Some devices have USB ports but do not support music playback from USB drives.
For Smart TVs
When you plug a USB drive into a smart TV, you may need to open its media player to find your songs. Browse folders by album or playlist and select a track. MP3 is commonly supported, but available formats vary by TV model.
For DJ Controllers
When preparing music for a DJ controller, check which audio formats and USB settings it supports before copying your tracks. WAV and high-bitrate MP3 may be suitable, depending on the model. Use the controller's browse or library controls to find and load songs for mixing.
For Windows and Mac Computers
On a Windows PC or Mac, you can copy music folders from the USB drive to your computer or play the files directly from the drive. MP3 and WAV files work with many media players, including VLC and the built-in Music app on Mac. Local audio files can be played offline.
For Other USB Media Players
If you're using a standalone USB media player, MP3 is often a good format to try first, though support varies by model. Organize tracks into clearly named folders and include artist, album, and title information. Connect the drive, open the player's browse menu, and select a song.
Part 4. Conclusion
Using Apple Music with a USB drive depends on your music files and playback device. Personal audio files can be copied directly, but Apple Music subscription downloads are for offline listening in the app and can't be exported as regular audio files through Apple's standard workflow.
Before transferring music, check your file formats and device compatibility. If your files are compatible, copy them to your USB drive. To prepare eligible Apple Music tracks for USB playback, try ViWizard Apple Music Converter, a desktop tool that converts selected tracks to common audio formats. Check its features and applicable terms, then convert your tracks and transfer the resulting files to a compatible USB drive.
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Adam Gorden is always looking for new ways to explore music and videos. He likes trying different media tools and learning how to manage audio and video files with ease.
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