The three ways to get songs onto your phone or computer

You can download songs through a music streaming service (like Spotify or Apple Music), buy individual songs from a digital store (like iTunes or Amazon Music), or use a download tool to capture audio from YouTube or other video sites. Which one works depends on what you own, what you want to listen to, and whether you want to pay.

The streaming services are easiest if you already subscribe — you tap a button and the song is ready offline. Buying songs gives you permanent copies you can move between devices. Download tools work for almost anything online but require more steps and carry legal risks if you use them for copyrighted material you don't own.

Key Takeaways

  • Streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music let you download songs to your phone for offline listening if you pay for a subscription.
  • Digital stores like iTunes and Amazon Music sell individual songs or albums that you own permanently and can download to multiple devices.
  • YouTube download tools and audio converters can capture songs from video sites, but downloading copyrighted material you don't own is illegal.
  • Downloaded files take up storage space on your device, so check how much room you have before downloading large music libraries.
  • Different services store files in different formats and locations, so know where your downloads go and what device can play them.

Downloading from Spotify, Apple Music, or other streaming services

If you already pay for a streaming service, downloading songs is usually one tap. Open the app, find the song or album, and look for a download button — it's often a downward arrow or a cloud icon. The song saves to your phone or tablet and plays without using data when you're offline.

The catch: you can only listen to downloaded songs while your subscription is active. If you cancel, the downloads stop working. Also, most services limit how many devices you can download to at once, and some cap the total number of downloads per account. Check your service's rules before you download your entire music library.

On a computer, the process is similar but varies by service. Spotify's desktop app has a download toggle in the song menu. Apple Music on a Mac uses the Music app — right-click the song and choose "Download." Amazon Music's desktop app has a download icon next to each track. YouTube Music (if you subscribe to YouTube Premium) downloads the same way as the mobile app.

Buying and downloading songs from iTunes, Amazon, or Bandcamp

Digital music stores sell individual songs or whole albums that you own permanently. iTunes (now part of Apple Music on Mac, but still available on Windows), Amazon Music, and Bandcamp are the most common. You pay once per song — usually $0.99 to $1.29 — and the file downloads to your computer or phone.

Once you own the file, you can move it to other devices, burn it to a CD, or keep it forever even if the store shuts down. The files are usually in MP3 or AAC format, which play on almost any device. This is the only way to truly own a digital song rather than rent access to it.

On iTunes or Apple Music for Windows, search for the song, click the price button, and confirm the purchase. The file downloads automatically to your Music folder. On Amazon Music, click the three dots next to a song and select "Download." On Bandcamp, artists often let you download files directly after purchase — check your email for a download link.

Using YouTube download tools and audio converters

If a song is on YouTube but not on a streaming service or for sale, you can use a download tool to capture the audio. Sites like 4K Video Downloader, yt-dlp (a command-line tool), or online converters like Convert2MP3 let you paste a YouTube link and download the audio as an MP3 file.

The process is straightforward: copy the YouTube video URL, paste it into the tool, choose MP3 format, and download. The file saves to your computer's Downloads folder and plays on any device that supports MP3. However, this method only works legally for videos you have permission to download — covers, live performances, or music the artist posted themselves. Downloading copyrighted songs you don't own is illegal, even if the tool makes it easy.

Be cautious with online converter sites. Many display ads or ask for personal information. Desktop tools like 4K Video Downloader are safer because they run on your computer rather than a website. If you download frequently, a desktop tool is worth the one-time cost.

Where downloaded files go and how to find them

Downloaded songs end up in different places depending on what service you used. Spotify and Apple Music store downloads in their own app folders, which you can't access directly — the app manages them. If you delete the app, the downloads disappear.

Songs you buy from iTunes or Amazon Music download to your Music folder (on Mac) or Music library (on Windows). You can see the actual files, move them, or copy them to other devices. YouTube downloads go to your Downloads folder unless you change the destination in the tool's settings.

On phones, streaming apps store downloads in their own space, and you see them only inside the app. You can't move them to another app or access them through your file manager. This is by design — the service controls the files to enforce subscription rules.

Checking storage space before downloading

A single song is usually 3 to 10 MB, but an album can be 50 to 100 MB, and a full discography can use several gigabytes. Before you download a large collection, check how much free space your device has. On an iPhone, go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage. On Android, open Settings > Storage. On a Mac, click the Apple menu > About This Mac > Storage. On Windows, right-click your C: drive and select Properties.

If you're running low on space, delete old photos, videos, or apps first. Streaming services let you download selectively — download only the albums you listen to regularly and delete them when you're done. This keeps your device responsive and leaves room for other things.

Moving downloads between devices

Songs you own (from iTunes, Amazon, or Bandcamp) can move to other devices. Copy the MP3 files to a USB drive, email them to yourself, or use cloud storage like Google Drive or Dropbox. Plug the USB drive into another computer, download the files from email, or sync from cloud storage.

Streaming service downloads don't move. If you download a song on Spotify on your phone, you can't transfer it to your computer — you have to download it again in the Spotify app on that device. This is a limitation of the subscription model.

If you want the same songs on multiple devices without re-downloading, buy them instead of streaming them. The one-time cost is higher, but you own the files and can use them anywhere.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I download songs from YouTube legally?

You can download audio from YouTube videos you have permission to use — covers, live performances, or music the artist posted themselves. Downloading copyrighted songs you don't own is illegal. If you're unsure whether a video is authorized, check the channel or contact the artist.

What format should I download songs in?

MP3 is the safest choice because it plays on almost every device and app. AAC (used by Apple) and FLAC (high quality but larger files) are also common. Stick with MP3 unless you have a specific reason to use another format.

Do I lose downloaded songs if I change phones?

Streaming service downloads disappear if you switch phones — you have to download them again in the app on your new device. Songs you own (from iTunes or Amazon) can move with you if you transfer your account or copy the files to your new phone.

Is it cheaper to buy songs or subscribe to a streaming service?

Streaming services cost $10 to $15 per month for unlimited access to millions of songs. Buying songs costs $0.99 to $1.29 each. If you listen to more than 10 to 15 different songs per month, streaming is cheaper. If you listen to the same songs repeatedly, buying them eventually costs less.

Can I download songs to my car's system?

Most modern cars with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto can play downloaded songs from your phone through the car's speakers. Older cars with USB ports can play MP3 files if you copy them to a USB drive. Check your car's manual to see what formats and connections it supports.