iTunes downloads work differently depending on your device and what you own
iTunes is Apple's media player and store. On a Mac or Windows PC, you can buy music through iTunes and download it to your computer's hard drive. On an iPhone or iPad, you use the Apple Music app or iTunes Store app instead — iTunes itself does not run on those devices. If you own the music outright (rather than streaming it), the download process is straightforward, but the steps change based on what you are using.
The key difference: on a computer, you buy and download through one program. On a phone or tablet, you buy through the iTunes Store app, then the music appears in the Apple Music app or Files app depending on what you bought and which iOS version you have.
Key Takeaways
- On a Mac or PC, open iTunes, find the song or album you want, click Buy, and the music downloads to your computer automatically.
- On an iPhone or iPad, use the iTunes Store app to buy music, then find it in the Apple Music app or the Files app under Downloads.
- Music you buy stays on your device even if your subscription ends, but music from Apple Music streaming requires an active subscription to play.
- You can transfer purchased music from a computer to an iPhone or iPad by connecting them with a cable and using Finder (Mac) or iTunes (Windows).
- Downloaded music takes up storage space on your device, so check how much free space you have before downloading large libraries.
Downloading music on a Mac or Windows PC
Open iTunes on your computer. If you do not have it, download it from Apple's website for free. Click the iTunes Store icon in the left sidebar (it looks like a musical note inside a circle). Search for the song, album, or artist you want.
When you find what you are looking for, click the price button next to the song or album. A window will pop up asking you to sign in with your Apple ID. Enter your credentials and confirm the purchase. iTunes will begin downloading the music to your computer immediately. On a Mac, purchased music goes to your Music folder by default. On Windows, it goes to your Music folder as well, inside a subfolder named iTunes.
Once the download finishes, the music appears in your iTunes library under "Purchased" or in your Recently Added playlist. You can play it anytime without an internet connection.
Downloading music on an iPhone or iPad
Open the iTunes Store app on your iPhone or iPad. Tap the Search tab at the bottom of the screen. Find the song or album you want to buy. Tap the price button next to it, then tap Buy. You will be asked to authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID, or your Apple ID password.
After you buy the music, it downloads automatically to your device. Open the Apple Music app and tap the Library tab at the bottom. Your purchased music appears under "Purchased" or "Recently Added." If you do not see it right away, pull down on the screen to refresh.
On newer iOS versions, you can also find your purchased music in the Files app. Open Files, tap Browse, then tap On My iPhone or On My iPad. Look for a folder named Music or Downloads. Purchased songs appear as individual files you can move, copy, or share.
The difference between buying and streaming
When you buy a song or album through the iTunes Store, you own that file. It stays on your device and plays without an internet connection. If your Apple ID is ever compromised or you stop paying for a subscription service, your purchased music still works.
Apple Music is different — it is a subscription service. You pay a monthly fee to stream millions of songs, but you do not own them. If your subscription ends, the music stops playing. You can download songs from Apple Music to your device for offline listening, but only while your subscription is active. Once it expires, those downloads disappear.
If you see a song in Apple Music with a cloud icon next to it, that means you can download it for offline use, but it requires an active subscription. If you see a price tag, that means you can buy it outright through the iTunes Store.
Transferring purchased music between devices
If you bought music on your computer and want it on your iPhone or iPad, connect your device to your computer with a USB cable. On a Mac, open Finder and click your device in the sidebar. Click Files, then drag your purchased music files into the window. On Windows, open iTunes, click your device, go to the Music tab, check "Sync Music," select which songs or playlists you want, and click Apply.
The music will transfer to your device and appear in the Apple Music app. This process works in reverse too — you can move music from your phone to your computer, though you cannot move music you bought on your phone to a different computer unless you authorize that computer with your Apple ID first.
To authorize a computer, open iTunes, click Account in the menu bar, then click Authorize This Computer. Sign in with your Apple ID. You can authorize up to five computers to play music you purchased with that account.
Storage and managing your downloads
Downloaded music takes up storage space on your device. A typical song is about 5 to 10 megabytes. An album might be 50 to 100 megabytes. Before you download a large music library, check how much free space you have. On an iPhone or iPad, go to Settings, tap General, then tap iPhone Storage or iPad Storage. On a Mac, click the Apple menu, select About This Mac, then click Storage. On Windows, open Settings, click System, then click Storage.
If you run out of space, you can delete downloaded music to free it up. On an iPhone or iPad, open Apple Music, find the song or album, swipe left on it, and tap Delete. On a Mac or PC, open iTunes or Finder, right-click the song, and select Delete. The file is removed from your device, but you can always download it again later if you own it.
You can also use iCloud Music Library to store your music in the cloud instead of on your device. This lets you access your library from any device without taking up as much local storage. To turn it on, go to Settings on your iPhone or iPad, tap Music, then toggle on iCloud Music Library. On a Mac, open Music, click Music in the menu bar, then Preferences, then check "Sync Library."
Troubleshooting common download problems
If a download stalls or fails, check your internet connection first. A weak or unstable connection is the most common reason downloads stop. Try moving closer to your router or connecting to a different network. If the download still does not work, restart your device and try again.
If you bought music but cannot find it in your library, make sure you are signed in with the same Apple ID you used to make the purchase. On an iPhone or iPad, go to Settings, tap your name at the top, and check that you are logged in. On a Mac or PC, open iTunes or Music, click Account in the menu bar, and look for your name. If you are signed in with a different account, sign out and sign back in with the correct one.
If iTunes or the Music app says you do not have permission to play a song you bought, your computer or device may not be authorized. Follow the authorization steps in the "Transferring purchased music between devices" section above. If you have already authorized the device and the problem persists, sign out of your Apple ID, restart the device, and sign back in.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I download music from iTunes on a computer I do not own?
Yes, but only if the computer is authorized with your Apple ID. You can authorize up to five computers. If you later want to remove access, go to Account in iTunes, click View My Account, then click Manage Devices. You can deauthorize a computer remotely from any authorized device.
What happens to my downloaded music if I cancel my Apple Music subscription?
Music you bought through the iTunes Store stays on your device forever. Music you downloaded from Apple Music (the streaming service) stops playing when your subscription ends, and those files are removed from your device after 30 days. You can re-download purchased music anytime.
Can I download music from iTunes to an Android phone?
No. iTunes is designed for Apple devices only. If you have music files on your computer, you can transfer them to an Android phone using a USB cable and a file manager app, but you cannot use iTunes to do it. You would need to use a third-party tool or manually copy the files.
How long does it take to download a song from iTunes?
Most songs download in seconds to a minute on a fast internet connection. An entire album might take a few minutes. Speed depends on your internet connection and the file size. If a download takes longer than expected, check your connection speed or try again later.
Do I need an internet connection to play music I downloaded from iTunes?
No. Once a song is downloaded to your device, it plays without internet. However, you need internet to initially buy and download the music. If you are using Apple Music streaming, you need internet to play those songs unless you specifically downloaded them for offline use.