Apple Music app customers woke up to a new feature last week, although not many know it exists yet. Apple Music subscribers can now grab songs or playlists from other music platforms, notably Spotify, and bring them to Apple. The ability to transfer music from other music services is buried in the Music App settings.
Initially tested in Australia and New Zealand last year, this transfer option has now been rolled out to the US, UK, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany and several other countries. It’s powered by the SongShift service, which will need access to the library that you’re transferring music from.
When SongShift completes the transfer, Apple Music will attempt to whip up a replica playlist or song choice based on its library. It will ask users to double-check certain matches, and not every song may have a replacement version on Apple Music.
The feature is available, but it seems a little buggy right now. When I tried the Transfer Music button on my Apple device, it was grayed out and said, “Once the current transfer is complete, you can start another.” The problem was that I hadn’t started transferring any songs yet.
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When I tried on my computer browser, I could transfer from my Tidal account. Still, Spotify said “Currently busy, try again later,” an equally mysterious message that kept me from trying any Spotify transfers.
A representative for Apple did not respond to a request for comment.
While it looks like SongShift has knots to work out, if it works, Spotify users should be able to transfer their playlists and maybe their entire subscriptions to Apple.
Why is this useful?
This new transfer option could open up several opportunities for listeners. Families using two music services, like Spotify and Apple Music, can now more easily coordinate music.
CNET writer Aaron Pruner, who’s created hundreds of streaming-music playlists on Spotify and Apple Music, mentioned this could solve several of his problems.
“I have an Android that doesn’t work with my HomePod. My wife has an iPhone,” Pruner said. “Making certain playlists accessible and playable on both our phones through one streaming platform would be something we’d probably need.”
He also touched on the limitations of his current setup. “Being on a Spotify family plan is cool until I try to listen to Kendrick Lamar in the car, only to find out it has been transported to my daughter’s bedroom since she is also listening to Spotify at the same time,” Pruner said.
Apple’s transfer feature also makes it easier to ditch Spotify altogether and move to Apple Music, which may be a goal for some customers. Spotify made news last month for letting AI mimic existing artists (something multiple music services have struggled with). Numerous indie artists like King Gizzard and Deerhoof are leaving Spotify over its CEO’s AI military investments.
Apple’s latest rollout is a timely opportunity for anyone worried about these developments to make the switch. But the results will depend on the overlap between their musical picks on other platforms and what Apple Music already offers. I suggest holding off on canceling any other service until you’ve completed your transfers and checked to see what Apple’s service can replace.
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