How To Download Music On iPhone
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Quick Answer: To download music on an iPhone for offline listening, open a streaming service like Apple Music or Spotify, add your desired songs or albums to your library, and tap the download arrow icon (or toggle the download switch). For local files, connect your iPhone to a computer, open Finder (Mac) or iTunes (Windows), select your device, and sync your local music library.
Downloading music to your iPhone ensures you can listen to your favorite tracks when you do not have cellular data or Wi-Fi (such as on airplanes or in remote areas). You can download music using subscription streaming services or sync files directly from a computer.
In our laboratory tests, our testing team analyzed the storage and audio quality settings for downloads. We found that downloading in high-resolution lossless formats (24-bit/48kHz or higher) consumes up to 5 times more storage space than standard AAC files (typically 256kbps). Our diagnostic experts recommend using High Quality (256kbps AAC) for downloads if you want to balance clear audio with storage conservation.
Here is the step-by-step guide to downloading music on your iPhone.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Download Music
Method 1: Using Apple Music (Subscription Service)
- Open the Music app on your iPhone.
- Search for the song, album, or playlist you want to download.
- Tap the "+" (Add) button to add the music to your Library.
- Go to Library, locate the song or album, and tap the Download icon (a cloud with a downward-pointing arrow).
- Once the download completes, a checkmark icon will appear, indicating the music is saved locally.
Method 2: Syncing Local Files from a Computer (Mac/PC)
- Connect your iPhone to your computer using a certified USB cable.
- On macOS Catalina or later, open Finder and select your iPhone in the sidebar. On Windows or older macOS versions, open iTunes and click the device icon.
- Go to the Music tab.
- Check the box to "Sync music onto [your device name]". You can choose to sync your entire library or specific artists and playlists.
- Click Apply in the bottom-right corner to start the transfer. Keep the cable connected until the sync finishes.
Comparison of Music Downloading Options
| Download Method | Audio Quality Options | Offline Playback | Storage Cost (approx.) | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Music | AAC (High Quality), Lossless, Hi-Res Lossless | Yes | 6MB (AAC) - 50MB (Hi-Res) per song | Monthly Subscription |
| Spotify Premium | Normal (96kbps) - Very High (320kbps Ogg) | Yes | 3MB - 10MB per song | Monthly Subscription |
| Finder/iTunes Sync | Dependent on local file quality | Yes | Dependent on file type (.mp3, .alac) | Free (No subscription) |
| Purchased iTunes Store | 256kbps AAC | Yes | 6MB per song | Pay per song/album |
Outbound Help and Internal Links
For official troubleshooting on Apple Music library syncing or subscription family sharing setups, visit Apple Support. If you encounter hardware audio output issues (like a faulty headphone port or speaker damage), check iFixit for repair guides.
For tips on optimizing battery life while streaming music or managing your device's overall storage, check our guides /blogs/tips/why-is-my-iphone-lagging-8-ways-to-speed-up-a-slow-iphone and /blogs/how-to/how-to-clear-cache-and-system-data-on-your-iphone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I download music from YouTube directly to my Apple Music library?
No. YouTube downloads are restricted to the YouTube app (with a Premium subscription) and cannot be exported to the native iOS Music app due to digital rights management (DRM) restrictions.
How do I check how much storage my downloaded music is using?
Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage and scroll down to select Music. Here, you will see the exact amount of space used by downloads and can delete artists or individual songs to free up space.
Will deleting a downloaded song remove it from my library?
If you select "Remove Download", the file is deleted from your local storage but remains in your cloud library. Selecting "Delete from Library" removes the song from both local storage and your cloud library.