The fastest way to save a song on Apple Music
To add a song to your Apple Music library, open the Music app on your device, find the song you want, and tap or click the plus sign next to it. The song moves to your library immediately and stays there until you remove it. You can add songs from search results, playlists, albums, or radio stations — the process is the same everywhere in the app.
On iPhone or iPad, the plus sign appears to the right of the song name. On Mac or Windows, it's usually to the left. If you don't see a plus sign, the song may already be in your library — look for a checkmark or filled heart icon instead.
Key Takeaways
- Tap or click the plus sign next to any song in the Music app to add it to your library instantly.
- Songs you add appear in your Library tab and sync across all your devices signed into the same Apple account.
- You can also add songs by holding down on them and selecting "Add to Library" from the menu that appears.
- Removing a song from your library does not delete it from Apple Music — you can add it back anytime.
- Songs added to your library are different from songs you download for offline listening, which require a separate step.
Adding songs from search results
Open the Music app and tap the Search tab at the bottom of your screen (iPhone or iPad) or click Search in the sidebar (Mac or Windows). Type the song name, artist, or album into the search box. When the results appear, find the song you want and tap or click the plus sign next to it.
The song is now in your library. You'll see a checkmark appear where the plus sign was, confirming the addition. If you search for that song again later, the checkmark will still be there, showing you've already added it.
Adding songs from playlists and albums
When you're listening to a playlist or browsing an album, you can add individual songs without adding the whole collection. Tap or click the plus sign next to the song name. The song goes into your library, but the playlist or album itself is not added unless you separately add those.
If you want to add an entire album or playlist instead, look for a plus sign at the top of the album or playlist page, near the title. Tapping that adds every song in the collection to your library at once.
Using the menu to add songs
On any device, you can hold down (or right-click on Mac or Windows) on a song name to open a menu with more options. Select "Add to Library" from the menu. This method works the same way as tapping the plus sign and is useful if the plus sign is hard to see or if you prefer using menus.
The menu also shows other options like "Add to a Playlist" (which adds the song to a playlist you create or choose) and "Share" (which lets you send the song to someone else). These are separate actions from adding to your library.
Where your added songs appear
Every song you add goes into your Library. To see all your added songs, open the Music app and tap or click the Library tab. Your library shows songs, albums, playlists, artists, and downloads all in one place. You can sort by recently added, most played, or alphabetically.
Your library syncs across all devices signed into your Apple account. If you add a song on your iPhone, it appears in your library on your Mac, iPad, and Apple Watch within a few seconds. This sync happens automatically as long as you're connected to the internet and signed into the same account.
The difference between adding and downloading
Adding a song to your library and downloading it for offline listening are two different things. When you add a song, it stays in your library and you can play it anytime you have an internet connection. When you download a song, it saves to your device's storage so you can play it without internet.
To download a song, find it in your library, hold down on it (or right-click), and select "Download." A cloud icon with a down arrow appears next to the song, showing it's being downloaded. Once the download finishes, the icon changes to a filled cloud, meaning the song is ready to play offline.
Removing songs from your library
If you no longer want a song in your library, hold down on it (or right-click) and select "Remove from Library." The song disappears from your Library tab. This does not delete the song from Apple Music — it just removes it from your personal library. You can add it back anytime by searching for it and tapping the plus sign again.
If you downloaded the song for offline listening, removing it from your library also removes the download from your device. If you want to keep the download but remove the song from your library, download it again after removing it — though this is rarely necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why don't I see a plus sign next to a song?
The song is already in your library. Look for a checkmark or filled heart icon instead. If you want to remove it, hold down on the song and select "Remove from Library," then the plus sign will return.
Can I add songs to Apple Music from other music services?
No. You can only add songs that are already in the Apple Music catalog. If a song isn't available on Apple Music, you won't see it in search results and can't add it. You can check if a song is available by searching for it in the Music app.
Do I need an Apple Music subscription to add songs?
Yes. Adding songs to your library requires an active Apple Music subscription. Without a subscription, you can only listen to music you've purchased or synced from your computer.
How long does it take for added songs to show up on my other devices?
Usually a few seconds to a minute, depending on your internet connection. Make sure all your devices are signed into the same Apple account and connected to the internet. If a song doesn't appear after a few minutes, try closing and reopening the Music app.
Can I add songs to a specific playlist instead of my main library?
Yes. Hold down on a song and select "Add to a Playlist," then choose an existing playlist or create a new one. The song goes into that playlist and also into your main library automatically.