Apple Music Expands Playlist Transfer Tool Worldwide

Apple Music has officially eliminated one of the biggest frustrations for music fans: the nightmare of manually rebuilding playlists when switching platforms. The company has expanded its transfer tool worldwide, making it dramatically easier for users to bring their existing music collections, playlists, and libraries from rival services into Apple Music.

For millions of potential subscribers, this is more than just a convenience – it’s a game-changer in how people approach music streaming.

Global rollout of Apple’s music transfer tool

The transfer tool, which first appeared in May as a small test in Australia and New Zealand, was later extended to the United States and a handful of other regions in August. Now, Apple has gone global, deploying the feature in nearly every market where Apple Music is available. The only exceptions are Mainland China, Myanmar, and Russia, due to regional restrictions. In practice, this means that almost anyone with a Spotify, YouTube Music, Deezer, Tidal, or Amazon Music account can move over to Apple Music with their playlists intact.

Why playlist migration matters

For years, one of the biggest hurdles preventing users from trying new music services was the hassle of starting over. Music libraries are deeply personal – people spend years curating playlists that capture specific moods, life moments, or fitness routines. Manually copying hundreds of songs or rebuilding dozens of playlists has long been seen as a dealbreaker. Apple’s new global tool essentially removes that barrier, opening the door for more users to try the service without leaving their music history behind.

How it works on iPhone and iPad

The process of moving your library is straightforward. On iOS devices, users can head to Settings > Apps > Music and select Transfer Music from Other Services. From there, you log into your existing music platform, choose which playlists or albums to bring over, and let Apple Music handle the migration. Importantly, your original library remains untouched – no data is deleted or altered on the competing service, ensuring you can go back anytime if you wish.

Partnership with SongShift

Apple didn’t build this alone. The company partnered with SongShift, a well-known third-party app that has specialized in playlist migration for years. The integration ensures high accuracy in matching songs across platforms. If a track can’t be located in Apple Music’s catalog, it gets flagged as Needs Review, with Apple suggesting alternate versions or covers. While not every track will transfer perfectly – especially rare or region-locked ones – the majority of mainstream songs, albums, and user-created playlists carry over seamlessly.

Limitations and what you can transfer

There are a few caveats to keep in mind. The tool transfers user-created playlists only. Curated playlists generated by other platforms, such as Spotify’s famous algorithm-driven mixes, won’t migrate. Additionally, not every streaming service has an identical catalog, so certain niche or exclusive tracks may be unavailable. Still, for most users, the vast majority of their library will make the jump without issue.

What this means for Apple Music’s future

This expansion is more than a technical update – it’s a strategic move. By lowering the friction of switching, Apple Music is better positioned to lure subscribers from Spotify, which remains the global leader in streaming. Analysts have long noted that one of Spotify’s stickiest features is its playlist ecosystem. By addressing that weakness, Apple is making a strong play for those who might have hesitated to leave Spotify, Deezer, or YouTube Music in the past.

A win for users and competition

For users, the benefit is obvious: no more headaches, no more wasted weekends rebuilding playlists. For Apple, it’s about strengthening its appeal in a crowded market where exclusivity and convenience often tip the balance. In the coming months, it will be interesting to see if this move translates into a noticeable increase in Apple Music’s global subscriber base. Either way, the company has succeeded in turning a once-daunting task into something nearly effortless – and that’s a win for anyone who loves their playlists as much as their favorite songs.