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Transfer Music from iPhone to Mac

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How to Transfer Music from iPhone to Mac?

Daisy Raines

Jul 12, 2024 • Filed to: Manage Device Data • Proven solutions

Just like transferring photos and videos, you can also transfer music from iPhone to Mac. The process for transferring music between Apple devices differs from that of Android, thanks to the seamless integration within the Apple ecosystem. The transfer of files between iPhones and Macs should be a straightforward task.

Now, if you want to move the songs to your Mac, this guide is here to help. We'll walk you through the steps to make sure moving your music between your iPhone and Mac is as smooth as your favorite song. Let's get into it!

Part 1. Transfer Music From iPhone to MacBook With iTunes
Part 2. Transfer Music From iPhone to Mac With Finder
Part 3. Sync Apple Music From iPhone to Mac
Part 4. Transfer Music From iPhone to Mac Using Google Drive
Part 5. Transfer Music from iPhone to Mac via Airdrop
Part 6. How To Transfer Music From iPhone to Mac With Easy Software-Dr.Fone
Conclusion

Part 1. How To Transfer Music From iPhone to MacBook With iTunes

With iTunes, you can easily transfer your music library while keeping everything organized, including your songs or even playlists. However, there are also pros and cons to using iTunes for this purpose.

Pros	Cons
1. iTunes sync ensures your MacBook mirrors your iPhone's music library. 2. Playlists and metadata are preserved during the transfer. 3. iTunes can serve as a backup method, safeguarding your music collection.	1. Some users might find iTunes difficult, with a steeper learning curve. 2. iTunes syncs in both directions, potentially impacting content on your MacBook. 3. You need to purchase the songs from iTunes first.

Pros

Cons

1. iTunes sync ensures your MacBook mirrors your iPhone's music library.

2. Playlists and metadata are preserved during the transfer.

3. iTunes can serve as a backup method, safeguarding your music collection.

1. Some users might find iTunes difficult, with a steeper learning curve.

2. iTunes syncs in both directions, potentially impacting content on your MacBook.

3. You need to purchase the songs from iTunes first.

Transferring music from iPhone to MacBook with iTunes involves synchronizing your devices. If you've purchased music from the iTunes Store, you can sync it to an authorized Mac. You only need to make sure that the Apple ID used for iTunes matches the one for purchasing music.

Here's the step-by-step guide for transferring songs from iPhone to Mac using iTunes:

Step 1. Make a connection on your iPhone to the Mac.

Make a connection by plugging your iPhone into your Mac with the USB cable.

Step 2. Open iTunes on your Mac and ensure it's updated.

Launch iTunes on your Mac, and check for updates to ensure it's using the latest version.

Step 3. Authorize your Mac in iTunes.

Navigate to the "Account" menu, select "Authorizations," then "Authorize This Computer," and click "Authorize."

Step 4. Sign in with the same Apple ID.

Confirm that your iPhone is signed in with the same Apple ID used for iTunes purchases.

Step 5. Transfer Purchases from your iPhone to your Mac.

In the top-left of iTunes on your Mac, go to "File," then "Devices," and choose "Transfer Purchases from [your iPhone's name]."

Step 6. Wait for the transfer to finish.

Give it some time for the music files to transfer from your iPhone to your Mac. Once the transfer is done, find and enjoy your synced music in iTunes on your Mac.

How to transfer music via iTunes.

Note:

This method is for music purchased from the iTunes Store.
It is not applicable for macOS Catalina or later versions; consider alternatives like Finder or the Apple Music app for newer macOS versions.

Part 2. How To Transfer Music From iPhone to Mac With Finder

Alternatively, you can also copy music from iPhone to Mac using Finder. Introduced on macOS Catalina as a replacement for iTunes, Finder is an alternative application for syncing music between your iPhone and a recently updated Mac.

Finder allows you to manage your music library efficiently and directly transfers your music files without additional software. But there are some things to consider:

Pros	Cons
1. Finder enables a direct connection between your iPhone and Mac, simplifying the transfer process. 2. Since Finder is a built-in tool on Mac, you don't need to download a third-party app.	1. Finder offers basic music transfer functionality. But it doesn’t have all the fancy features some other apps do. 2. You can only copy from iPhone to Mac. Any changes made on your Mac won't reflect on your iPhone.

Pros

Cons

1. Finder enables a direct connection between your iPhone and Mac, simplifying the transfer process.

2. Since Finder is a built-in tool on Mac, you don't need to download a third-party app.

1. Finder offers basic music transfer functionality. But it doesn’t have all the fancy features some other apps do.

2. You can only copy from iPhone to Mac. Any changes made on your Mac won't reflect on your iPhone.

Now that you know the pros and cons, here's the step-by-step guide on how to move songs from iPhone to Mac:

Step 1. Connect iPhone to Mac.

You can make a connection with a USB cable or Wi-Fi connection.

Step 2. Open Finder.

Launch Finder on your Mac. In the Finder sidebar, locate and click on your iPhone under "Locations."

Step 3. Access Music Tab.

Click on the "Music" tab in the top menu to view your music library.

Step 4. Choose Songs to Transfer.

Tick the "Sync music onto [device name]" checkbox to start syncing your music. You have the option to sync the entire music library or only the selected ones. Then, click “Apply.”

How to transfer music via Finder.

Now, you should find your songs in the music folder of your Finder. Before disconnecting your device from your Mac, remember to Eject your device by clicking the "Eject" button in the Finder sidebar.

Part 3. Sync Apple Music From iPhone to Mac

Other than Finder and iTunes, you can use Apple Music to copy music from iPhone to Macbook. But unlike Finder and iTunes, Apple Music focuses exclusively on music files. However, remember that subscribing to Apple Music is necessary for this syncing method.

Here are the advantages and disadvantages of copying songs from iPhone to Mac using Apple Music:

Pros	Cons
1. Maintains a consistent music library across devices. 2. Simplifies the process for users who prefer an all-inclusive sync.	1. Limited flexibility; you can't selectively choose individual songs. 2. May consume more storage on your Mac.

Pros

Cons

1. Maintains a consistent music library across devices.

2. Simplifies the process for users who prefer an all-inclusive sync.

1. Limited flexibility; you can't selectively choose individual songs.

2. May consume more storage on your Mac.

Now, follow these steps to copy music from your iPhone to your Mac using Apple Music:

Step 1. Subscribe to Apple Music.

Open the Music app on your iPhone and click "For You" > "Try it Now," and choose a subscription plan. Sign in with your Apple ID and confirm the billing details.

Step 2. Sign in with your Apple ID used for the Apple Music subscription.

Open the Apple Music app or iTunes. Choose "Account" and enter your Apple ID credentials to sign in.

Step 3. Turn on iCloud Music Library or Sync Library on your devices.

On the iPhone, go to "Settings" > "Music" > toggle on "iCloud Music Library" or "Sync Library."

On your Mac, open the Apple Music app and go to "Music"> "Settings." Then go to "General" and select "iCloud Music Library" for earlier macOS or iOS or "Sync Library" and click "OK."

Steps 4. Wait for sync.

To check the status, click Updating Cloud Library at the bottom of the sidebar.

How to sync Apple Music to Mac.

Part 4. Transfer Music From iPhone to Mac Using Google Drive

google drive logo on phone

Transferring music from your iPhone to your Mac is super easy using Google Drive - even for us non tech-savvy people!

Step 1: First up, open the Google Drive app on your iPhone and log into your Google account, like your Gmail account. This allows access to your cloud storage.

Step 2: Next, tap the Add button (it looks like a little plus icon) and select the Upload option from the menu. This preps Google Drive to receive files.

Step 3: Now, find and tap the specific music files, songs, albums or playlists you want to move from your iPhone to your Mac. Select them and tap upload.

Step 4: Once uploaded from your phone, go to drive.google.com on your Mac's web browser and sign into the same Google account. This lets you access those files from your computer.

Step 5: In the My Drive tab, right click on the music you uploaded from your iPhone and select "Download." The tunes will save right onto your Mac!

And that's it! Just those five easy steps to use Google Drive for transferring music. One word of caution though - Google Drive space is limited unless you upgrade. So keep an eye on how much free space you have left as you're shifting those music libraries around!

Part 5. How to Transfer Music from iPhone to Mac via Airdrop

With AirDrop, you can wirelessly send your music from iPhone to Mac. AirDrop transfers information using Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, so both must be turned on.

Pros	Cons
1. No need for physical connections to keep things tidy. 2. AirDrop swiftly moves your music, efficiently saving you time. 3. Whether you're in an area without a Wi-Fi connection or want to save on data, AirDrop operates seamlessly without requiring an internet connection.	1. AirDrop only performs optimally when your iPhone and Mac are nearby. 2. Verify that your iPhone and Mac support AirDrop, as some older devices may not have this feature.

Pros

Cons

1. No need for physical connections to keep things tidy.

2. AirDrop swiftly moves your music, efficiently saving you time.

3. Whether you're in an area without a Wi-Fi connection or want to save on data, AirDrop operates seamlessly without requiring an internet connection.

1. AirDrop only performs optimally when your iPhone and Mac are nearby.

2. Verify that your iPhone and Mac support AirDrop, as some older devices may not have this feature.

To transfer music from your iPhone to Mac using AirDrop, follow the step-by-step below:

Step 1. Enable AirDrop.

Access the Control Center of your iPhone by swiping down from the top-right corner. Then, tap "AirDrop" and choose between "Everyone" or "Contacts Only" based on your preference.

Step 2. Open Finder on Mac.

Launch the Finder window on your Mac to initiate the file-sharing process.

Step 3. Select AirDrop in Finder.

Within the Finder window, locate and click "AirDrop" in the left sidebar for quick access to nearby devices.

Step 4. Adjust AirDrop Settings on Mac.

Below your Mac's icon, configure AirDrop settings to either "Everyone" or "Contacts Only" to facilitate a secure transfer.

Step 5. Transfer Music.

Go to the "Music" app on your iPhone. Then identify the desired songs, tap the three dots, select "Share," and pick your Mac from the AirDrop options.

Step 6. Accept on Mac.

Respond to the notification on your Mac to accept the incoming music transfer.

How to transfer music via Airdrop.

Part 6. How To Transfer Music From iPhone to Mac With Easy Software-Dr.Fone

If you find all these steps for moving music from iPhone to Macbook a headache, let me offer up one last bonus tip that could make your life much easier: Wondershare Dr.Fone.

Dr.Fone is a versatile third-party software designed to simplify transferring music from your iPhone to your Mac. It's user-friendly interface and efficient features make it an excellent choice for managing your music library.

Dr.Fone - Phone Manager (iOS)

Transfer Music From iPhone to Mac without iTunes

Transfer, manage, export/import your music, photos, videos, contacts, SMS, Apps, etc.
Back up your music, photos, videos, contacts, SMS, Apps, etc., to the computer and restore them easily.
Transfer music, photos, videos, contacts, messages, etc., from one smartphone to another.
Transfer media files between iOS devices and iTunes.
Fully compatible with the newest iOS system.

Available on: Windows Mac

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Dr. Fone's Export All Data feature offers some great functionalities, including:

Simple and easy for everyone to understand.
It supports the latest model of iPhones and Mac OS, so it's likely to work for you.
Does more than music. It allows you to transfer music and other data like photos, videos, contacts, and more.
Keep your data safe by offering backup and restore functionalities for an extra layer of data security.

So, here is a quick tutorial on how to transfer music from iPhone to Mac using Dr.Fone:

Step 1: Open Dr.Fone and establish connections.

After installing Dr.Fone, start the program and select "Export all data." Then, establish connections between your iPhone and your Mac using a USB cable.

Launch Dr.Fone’s Export All Data feature.

Step 2: Select the file types for export

Once a new window appears, select “Music” as the file type you wish to transfer. Click on "Export" to start the process and choose where you want to save the exported music files on your Mac.

Choose file types for export.

Step 3: Generate a password for the backup file

Following this, you'll be prompted to create an encrypted password for safety reasons. Create a password, verify it, and click "Done" to initiate the procedure.

Make a password for the backup file.

Step 4: Watch the progress

Now, your iPhone should be in the process of exporting its data to the computer using Dr.Fone. Feel free to observe and keep an eye on the progress directly on the screen.

Monitor the data transfer progress.

Step 5: Successfully transfer music to Mac

Once the data export process is successful, click "Open" to see the exported music in the specified folder.

Successfully transfer iPhone music to Mac.

Conclusion

In conclusion, transferring music from your iPhone to your Mac can be done through various methods, each with advantages and disadvantages. For example, iTunes offers a unified library and backup functionality, but it has complexities and a two-way sync. Dr.Fone Basic stands out as a versatile third-party software for a user-friendly and efficient solution, only it requires installment on your Mac.

Regardless of your preferences, you can find different working methods that cater to different scenarios. Choose the one that best fits your conditions for transferring music between your iPhone and Mac.

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