To listen to Apple Music offline, add the songs, albums, or playlists to your library and download them on the device you plan to use. Complete the download while you have an internet connection; streaming a track does not save it for offline playback.
Download Apple Music on your device
Apple’s general download workflow is to add music to your library first, then download it. Use Apple Music on the device where you want to listen; a download on one device does not create a file you can manually move to another.
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- On iPhone, iPad, Apple Vision Pro, or Android: Open Apple Music and find the song, album, or playlist. Add it to your library. For an individual song, open its More menu and choose Download. For an album or playlist, tap its Download button. Apple’s device instructions cover this workflow.
- On iPhone: Apple’s iPhone guide says to turn on Sync Library at Settings > Apps > Music > Sync Library before downloading Apple Music items. See Apple’s iPhone instructions.
- On Mac or PC: Open Apple Music, add the music to your library, then select its Download control. Apple’s download guide describes the steps.
Wait for the download to finish before you lose connectivity. To check that offline playback works, disconnect from Wi-Fi and cellular data and try playing the downloaded music.
What happens on Windows?
Apple Music downloads on Windows cannot be burned to disc or manually transferred to an iPhone, iPad, or iPod. If you want offline music on another device, download it directly from Apple Music on that device. Apple documents this limit in its Windows download guide.
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Use Wi-Fi to avoid unnecessary cellular data
Downloading over Wi-Fi is a practical way to limit mobile-data use. Apple warns that High Quality, Lossless, and High-Resolution Lossless use significantly more cellular data than High Efficiency and may incur carrier charges. On iPhone, cellular downloads can be managed at Settings > Apps > Music. The available choices may vary by device and region. Apple’s iPhone guide explains the data settings.
Apple Music downloads are not permanent purchases
Downloaded songs from the Apple Music catalog remain tied to an active subscription. When the subscription expires, catalog tracks can no longer be played, catalog-based playlists become unavailable, and Sync Library turns off. Music and playlists that were already on your device before you subscribed remain available, according to Apple’s subscription-expiration guidance and music library guidance.
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- Available in $15 - 500, Card delivered via email or SMS
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| Option | How access works | What happens when Apple Music ends |
|---|---|---|
| Apple Music catalog download | Download catalog music through Apple Music while subscribed. | Catalog tracks cannot be played after the subscription expires. |
| iTunes Store purchase | Buy tracks individually; an Apple Music subscription is not required. Apple says past purchases can be redownloaded to authorized computers and devices. | The purchase is separate from Apple Music catalog access and remains available for redownload under Apple’s guidance. |
Apple describes buying and redownloading music in its Windows music library guide.
If a song or download option is missing
Apple Music features and catalog availability vary by country or region. If the service, a particular song, or a feature is unavailable where you are, check Apple’s regional availability page.
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- Use it for purchases at any Apple Store location, on the Apple Store app, apple.com, the App Store, iTunes, Apple Music, Apple TV, Apple News+, Apple Books, Apple Arcade, iCloud+, Fitness+, Apple One, and other Apple properties in US only
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- For all things Apple - products, accessories, apps, games, music, movies, TV shows, iCloud+, and more.
- Perfect for App Store purchases and subscriptions—get apps, games, music, movies, TV shows, and more.
- The perfect gift to say happy birthday, thank you, congratulations, and more.
- Available in $15 - 500, Card delivered via email or SMS
- Use it for purchases at any Apple Store location, on the Apple Store app, apple.com, the App Store, iTunes, Apple Music, Apple TV, Apple News+, Apple Books, Apple Arcade, iCloud+, Fitness+, Apple One, and other Apple properties in US only
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