The fastest way to transfer playlists

The simplest route is to use a third-party tool like Soundiiz, TuneMyMusic, or Playlisty, which can copy your Spotify playlists directly into Apple Music. You connect both accounts, select which playlists you want to move, and the tool adds those songs to new playlists in Apple Music. The process usually takes a few minutes to an hour depending on playlist size.

If you prefer not to use a third-party service, you can also transfer playlists manually through Apple Music's built-in Spotify import feature, though this only works if you are moving your entire music library at once, not individual playlists. For smaller playlists, manual recreation by searching for songs one by one is also possible but time-consuming.

Key Takeaways

  • Third-party tools like Soundiiz and TuneMyMusic connect to both your Spotify and Apple Music accounts and move playlists automatically in minutes.
  • Apple Music has a built-in Spotify import tool, but it transfers your entire library and listening history, not individual playlists.
  • Most third-party tools are free for small playlists but charge a one-time or subscription fee for larger libraries or frequent transfers.
  • The tool creates new playlists in Apple Music with the same songs; it does not delete anything from Spotify.
  • Some songs may not transfer if they are not available on Apple Music, so check your transferred playlists for gaps.

Using a third-party transfer tool

Third-party tools work by reading your Spotify playlists and searching for each song in Apple Music's catalog. The most widely used options are Soundiiz, TuneMyMusic, and Playlisty. To use one, you visit the tool's website, click the button to connect your Spotify account, then connect your Apple Music account. The tool asks for permission to read your playlists and create new ones in Apple Music.

Once both accounts are connected, you select which playlists you want to transfer. The tool then searches for each song in your Apple Music library and adds matching tracks to a new playlist with the same name. If a song is not available on Apple Music, the tool either skips it or notes it in a report so you know what did not transfer. The whole process is usually complete within an hour, even for playlists with hundreds of songs.

Most of these tools are free for playlists under a certain size—usually around 500 songs. Larger transfers or premium features like automatic syncing (keeping playlists updated as you add songs to Spotify) typically cost between $3 and $10 one-time, or a monthly subscription of $2 to $5. Check the tool's pricing page before you start, since costs vary.

Using Apple Music's built-in Spotify import

Apple Music has a feature that imports your entire Spotify library directly, including playlists, liked songs, and listening history. This is useful if you are switching completely from Spotify to Apple Music, but it does not let you pick individual playlists—it is all or nothing.

To use it, open Apple Music on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, go to Settings, and look for "Import Playlists" or "Transfer from Spotify." Tap it and sign in with your Spotify account. Apple Music then reads your entire library and creates matching playlists and a "Liked Songs" playlist in Apple Music. The import can take several hours if your library is large, and you will see a notification when it is complete.

One important note: this import is one-time only. If you add new songs to Spotify after the import, they will not automatically appear in Apple Music. You would need to import again, which creates duplicate playlists.

Manually recreating playlists

If you only have a few small playlists or prefer not to connect third-party tools to your accounts, you can recreate playlists by hand. Open your Spotify playlist, note the song titles and artists, then search for each one in Apple Music and add it to a new playlist.

This method takes the longest—a 50-song playlist might take 20 to 30 minutes—but it gives you full control and requires no account permissions. It is practical only for playlists with fewer than 20 or 30 songs. For anything larger, a third-party tool saves significant time.

What happens to songs that do not transfer

Not every song on Spotify is available on Apple Music. Licensing agreements vary by region and artist, so some tracks may exist on one service but not the other. When you transfer a playlist, songs that are not in Apple Music's catalog will not appear in your new playlist.

Most third-party tools show you a report listing songs that could not be found. You can then search for those songs manually in Apple Music—sometimes a different version or remix is available—or note which ones you are missing. If you use Apple Music's built-in import, check your transferred playlists for gaps and search for missing songs yourself.

Keeping your Spotify account active

Transferring your playlists to Apple Music does not delete anything from Spotify. Your Spotify account, playlists, and saved songs remain exactly as they are. You can keep both accounts active, use Apple Music as your primary service, and return to Spotify whenever you want.

If you eventually decide to close your Spotify account, do that after confirming your Apple Music playlists are complete and contain all the songs you wanted. Once Spotify is deleted, you cannot access those playlists to verify or re-transfer anything.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will the transfer delete my Spotify playlists?

No. Transferring to Apple Music does not affect your Spotify account at all. Your playlists, liked songs, and listening history stay in Spotify. You can keep both accounts active or delete Spotify later if you choose.

Can I transfer playlists that other people made and shared with me?

Most third-party tools can transfer shared playlists, but you will create a new copy in Apple Music rather than subscribing to the original. If the playlist owner updates their Spotify version, your Apple Music copy will not update automatically unless you use a tool with sync features.

What if a song is not available on Apple Music?

The transfer tool will skip it or list it in a report. You can then search for the song manually in Apple Music—sometimes a live version, remix, or alternate release is available. If it is truly not on Apple Music, you will have to note it or find a similar song.

How long does the transfer take?

Third-party tools usually complete transfers within an hour, even for large playlists. Apple Music's built-in import can take several hours for very large libraries. Manual recreation depends on playlist size but typically takes 20 to 30 minutes per 50 songs.

Do I need to pay to use a transfer tool?

Most tools are free for playlists under 500 songs. Larger transfers or premium features like automatic syncing cost between $3 and $10 one-time, or $2 to $5 per month. Check the tool's pricing before you start.