Apple Music Adds a Feature to Import Playlists From Rivals
If you’ve been stuck with Spotify because of your playlists, Apple now has a way to help you switch without losing your favorite tracks.
It has always been challenging to transition between different music streaming platforms. You’ve spent years curating playlists, liking songs, and saving albums, only to find that moving to a new service might mean starting over.
For many, that’s enough reason to stay put, even if the grass looks greener (or sounds better) on the other side. And Apple, ever the master of ecosystem lock-in, knows this all too well.
So, in classic Apple fashion, the company has introduced a new way to usher people into its walled garden (without offering a way out, as expected). Apple Music now includes a built-in playlist import tool that lets users bring over their playlists, songs, and albums from rival streaming platforms like Spotify. It’s currently rolling out in Australia and New Zealand, with a global launch likely on the way. The goal is clear: make it easier for users to switch.
The tool works through SongShift, a third-party service that’s been helping users transfer music libraries for years. Now, Apple has baked it directly into Apple Music. Whether you’re on iPhone, iPad, Android, or the web, you can sign into your old streaming service, select what to transfer, and let Apple Music do the rest.
If it finds exact matches, you’ll see a “Transfer Complete” message. If not, you’ll get a “Some Music Needs Review” alert and have 30 days to review alternate versions. Only personal playlists are supported—third-party or editorial ones need to be recreated manually.
Despite Spotify's dominance with over 675 million monthly active users compared to Apple Music's estimated 93 million, Apple isn't exactly catching up in all areas. Apple Music offers perks like lossless audio, Dolby Atmos support, and tight integration with the Apple ecosystem, which is a big draw for iPhone users.
Will this be enough to cause a mass migration from Spotify to Apple Music? Probably not. But for users already on the fence—or just looking for a more seamless experience on their Apple devices—this could be the nudge they needed. Whether this move is a smart play to grow Apple Music or just one more reason for regulators to keep an eye on Apple’s “no exits allowed” approach, only time will tell.