There's nothing worse than finding the perfect remix or a hidden gem track on SoundCloud, only to lose it when you hit a dead zone or need to save mobile data. That's why learning how to download SoundCloud songs on iPhone is the best solution. But you might be wondering: can you download songs from SoundCloud on iPhone for offline listening?
The good news is yes, you can. The exact method depends on the track and the tools you choose. In this ultimate guide, we'll explain everything you need to know about how to download music from SoundCloud on iPhone, including the official option and other practical ways. Whether you just want to save a single song or download entire playlists to your iPhone, we've got you covered.
Part 1. Can You Download Songs from SoundCloud on iPhone?
Yes, you can download songs from SoundCloud to your iPhone, but it's important to know that the mobile app's download feature does not give you a permanent music file. Downloads are limited to offline playback and require a SoundCloud Go or Go+ subscription.
SoundCloud does allow you to download a song as an MP3 and keep it permanently, but only if the artist has enabled the Download option, and this only works on the web version. So, if you are looking for ways to download SoundCloud songs on iPhone, make sure you are a subscriber and understand that downloads in the app are only for offline listening.
If you are new to SoundCloud, you can sign up for a 30-day free trial of SoundCloud Go+. Otherwise, check Part 3 and Part 4 for free methods to download songs from SoundCloud on iPhone without a subscription.
Read More : How to Get SoundCloud Free Trial and Cancel It Easily
Part 2. Download SoundCloud Songs on iPhone Using SoundCloud Go+
The most straightforward method to download SoundCloud songs to iPhone is with a SoundCloud Go+ subscription. This is the official feature built right into the app.
Go+ vs. Go: What's the Difference?
SoundCloud offers two plans for offline listening:
- SoundCloud Go ($4.99/month): This plan lets you download songs, but only from a limited selection of music. Its library is smaller.
- SoundCloud Go+ ($10.99/month): This plan gives you full access to download over 150 million tracks for offline listening. This includes all the remixes, DJ sets, and underground artists that make SoundCloud unique. For most users who want the full experience, Go+ is the recommended choice.
How to Download SoundCloud Tracks on iPhone with Go+
- Get a Go+ subscription through the SoundCloud website. It's often cheaper than using the App Store.
- Open the SoundCloud app on your iPhone.
- Find the track you want to save. Tap the three dots (•••) to Add to playlist or tap the heart icon to like the track.
- Go to the Library tab. Open the playlist you added the track to or Liked Tracks if you used the heart icon.
- Tap the downward arrow icon at the top of the screen. A progress bar will appear showing the download status.
The app gives you a few options to manage your downloads efficiently:
- Automatic Downloads: Go to Settings > Downloads and turn on "Save automatically" to save new liked tracks or additions to your playlists instantly.
- Save via Wi-Fi only: To avoid using up your mobile data, enable "Only save via Wi-Fi" in the same settings menu.
- Find Your Saved Music: All your offline content is stored in one easy-to-find spot: your "Library" under the "Downloads" section. This is the simplest way to find all your downloaded music from SoundCloud to iPhone.
- Pros
- Official and safe
- Offline listening
- Full catalog access (Go+)
- Cons
- You need SoundCloud Go or Go+
- No permanent files
- Limited catalog for Go
- You lose all downloaded songs if you cancel your subscription
Part 3. Download a Song from SoundCloud on iPhone Using Siri Shortcut
For a free method to get a permanent audio file, a Siri Shortcut is an effective workaround. This technique uses a custom automation to process a SoundCloud link and save the track as an MP3 file directly to your iPhone's "Files" app. It's a popular choice for users who want to download a SoundCloud song on iPhone without a subscription.
Disclaimer: Shortcuts are created by third-party developers, so their reliability and functionality can change. Always get shortcuts from trusted sources like Reddit forums or well-known shortcut galleries.
Step 1Get the Shortcut
First, you need to add the shortcut to your iPhone's Shortcuts app.
- Open Safari on your iPhone and go to a reputable shortcut gallery website (like RoutineHub).
- Forums like r/shortcuts on Reddit are a good place to find a working shortcut.
- Search for a "SoundCloud Downloader" shortcut.
- Tap the link to get the shortcut. It will open in the Shortcuts app.
- Tap "Add Shortcut" to save it to your library.
Step 2How to Use the Shortcut to Download a SoundCloud Song
- In the SoundCloud app, find the song you want. Tap the Share button and then tap Copy Link.
- Now, you can run the shortcut in two ways:
- From the Shortcuts App: Open the app and tap the shortcut you just installed. It will automatically use the link from your clipboard.
- From the Share Sheet: Tap on three dots (•••) and then choose your downloaded shortcut from the list.
- The shortcut will process the link and download the audio. A pop-up will ask you where to save the MP3 file. Tap Save to Files and choose a folder, such as "Downloads."
Step 3Access Your Downloaded SoundCloud Song
To find your new MP3 file, simply open the Files app on your iPhone. Navigate to the folder where you saved it (e.g., "Downloads"). From there, you can play the SoundCloud songs offline, move it to another location, or share it with other apps. This method is an excellent way to get a permanent SoundCloud MP3 to iPhone.
- Check track availability: Some tracks may be private or restricted and cannot be downloaded.
- Stay organized: Save downloaded tracks in a dedicated folder in the Files app for easy access.
- Keep the Shortcut updated: Developers often release updates to fix bugs or improve performance, so check periodically.
- Pros
- No subscription is needed
- Tracks can be saved as MP3 files in the Files app for offline listening
- Cons
- Requires installing and configuring the Shortcut correctly
- Shortcuts may stop working after Apple or SoundCloud updates
- Some Shortcuts may not maintain the highest audio quality
- Potential safety risks if the Shortcut source is untrusted
Part 4. Download Music from SoundCloud on iPhone Using a Desktop Downloader
If you don't want to upgrade to a SoundCloud Go or Go+ membership or do not trust Siri shortcuts, using a dedicated SoundCloud downloader is an excellent option. Among them, ViWizard SoundCloud Music Downloader stands out for its high quality and batch download capabilities, making it a powerful tool to download music from SoundCloud to iPhone.
Unlike the SoundCloud app or shortcuts, this solution works for all SoundCloud users and does not require a subscription. It allows you to batch download your entire Liked playlists and songs to MP3, FLAC, WAV, AIFF, M4A, and M4B in high quality. Each downloaded track comes with full ID3 tags, including artwork, title, artist, and album information. This makes your SoundCloud library look well-organized and easy to manage. After downloading SoundCloud music, you can easily transfer the files to iTunes or Apple Music and sync them with your iPhone for seamless playback.
Download songs, playlists, albums from SoundCloud as MP3, FLAC, WAV, AIFF, M4A, and M4B foramts with original audio quality and full metadata information.
- Pros
- Supports MP3, FLAC, AIFF, WAV, M4A, M4B formats with up to 320kbps audio quality
- Batch downloading
- No subscription required
- Easy to use
- Cons
- Limited free trial
- Desktop only
How to Download Music from SoundCloud to iPhone Using ViWizard
Step 1Adjust the Output Settings
Launch ViWizard SoundCloud Music Downloader on your computer. Open the menu and go to Preferences, then select Conversion. From here, choose an output format such as MP3, FLAC, WAV, or M4A. For the best compatibility with iTunes and Apple Music, it is recommended to convert songs from SoundCloud to M4A. You may also fine-tune the audio quality by setting the bitrate and sample rate. When everything is ready, confirm by clicking OK.
Step 2Access SoundCloud within ViWizard
Return to the main interface and click the SoundCloud icon. This will open the built-in web player where you can log into your SoundCloud account. Browse through your library and select the songs or playlists you would like to download.
Step 3Import Music from SoundCloud
Once you open a track or playlist, click the plus icon to let ViWizard automatically detect the available songs. In the pop-up window, mark the tracks you want to keep and confirm by selecting Add to List. These songs will then be queued for conversion.
Step 4 Begin the Download Process
Click the Convert button to start downloading your chosen songs. ViWizard processes the files at a high speed of up to 65X while preserving excellent audio quality. When the process is complete, you can find all of your finished files in the History tab, ready to be transferred to iTunes or Apple Music for playback on your iPhone.
Step 5 Transfer Downloaded SoundCloud Music to iPhone
Once you have your downloaded tracks saved on your computer, the final step is to transfer them to your iPhone. The process is slightly different depending on whether you're using a Windows PC or a Mac.
From a Windows PC to iPhone
First, make sure you have the latest version of iTunes installed on your Windows PC.
- Open iTunes and go to File > Add Folder to Library or Add File to Library. Navigate to the folder where you saved your SoundCloud music and select the files you want to transfer.
- Plug your iPhone into your computer using a USB cable. iTunes should automatically detect your device. If prompted, tap "Trust This Computer" on your iPhone.
- In iTunes, click the small iPhone icon near the top left corner. Go to the "Music" section in the left sidebar, check "Sync Music," and then select either your entire music library or specific playlists.
- Click Apply or Sync in the bottom right corner to start the transfer.
From a Mac to iPhone
Macs running macOS Catalina (10.15) or newer use the Finder app for syncing, not iTunes.
- Open the Apple Music app on your Mac. Drag and drop your downloaded SoundCloud songs directly into the Apple Music window to add them to your library.
- Connect your iPhone to your Mac with a USB cable. The Finder app will show your device in the sidebar.
- Click on your iPhone's name in the Finder sidebar. Go to the "Music" tab at the top.
- Check "Sync music onto [Your iPhone's Name]" and select the playlists or artists you wish to sync.
- Click Apply to begin the transfer.
How to Listen on Your iPhone
Once the sync is complete, you can easily find your new music on your iPhone.
- Open the Apple Music app.
- Go to the Library tab at the bottom.
- Your newly transferred SoundCloud to iPhone files will be available under "Songs," "Artists," or "Albums." You can play them offline freely without the SoundCloud app and your SoundCloud account.
If you prefer, the downloaded SoundCloud music can also be synced to your Apple Watch for listening on the go. For detailed instructions, please check the guide below.
How to get music from Soundcloud on Apple Watch? This post introduces the available way to download and add Soundcloud songs to Apple Watch for free.
Part 5. FAQs about SoundCloud iPhone Download
Q1.Can you transfer SoundCloud downloads to Apple Music on an iPhone?
A1.Yes, you can transfer songs you've downloaded from SoundCloud to your Apple Music library. First, you need to convert the SoundCloud songs into DRM-free formats such as MP3 using a tool like ViWizard SoundCloud Music Converter. After that, add the converted tracks to your iTunes or Apple Music library on your Mac or PC, and then sync your iPhone with the computer. Once the sync is complete, the files will appear in your iPhone's Apple Music library.
Q2.Is it possible to download SoundCloud tracks to an iPhone for free?
A2.You can download SoundCloud tracks to your computer for free if the artist has enabled the "Download file" button. If there is no direct download option, you can use third-party SoundCloud downloaders to get the music files for free and then transfer them to your iPhone.
Q3.Why can't I see the download button on a SoundCloud song?
A3.The reason you don't see a download button on a SoundCloud song is because the artist or creator has disabled it. SoundCloud gives creators the option to enable or disable downloads for their tracks. If the artist wants to encourage streaming or simply doesn't want their work to be freely distributed, they will turn the download option off. In this case, your only options are to subscribe to SoundCloud Go+ for offline listening or use a third-party tool as a workaround.
Conclusion
After exploring these various methods, it is clear that there is a solution for every need. If you only want to download SoundCloud music for offline playback, a SoundCloud Go or Go+ subscription may be the simplest and most direct option. If you want more than just offline listening and want to keep the actual music files permanently without a subscription, using a Siri Shortcut or ViWizard SoundCloud Music Downloader are the most cost-effective solutions. With ViWizard in particular, you can download SoundCloud music to your iPhone in high quality and create a personal music library in Apple Music, allowing you to enjoy your SoundCloud collection on your iPhone seamlessly.
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Dave Henry, a multimedia technologist at ViWizard, focuses on delivering the best solutions for digital media challenges, including audio and video conversion, media optimization, and troubleshooting.
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