Apple Music
Your music library — and the difference between streaming and owned
Important distinction
Music you purchased on iTunes (pre-streaming era) is DRM-free and fully portable. You own those files. Export them and they're yours on any device. Music you access via Apple Music subscription is licensed streaming — it disappears when you cancel. This is the same as Spotify, Tidal, or any other streaming service.
What it is
Apple Music is a $10.99/month ($16.99/family) streaming service with 100 million songs, lossless and Dolby Atmos audio, radio stations, and deep integration with Apple devices. It also includes iTunes Match, which uploads your personal music library to iCloud and lets you access it anywhere. The key distinction: music you stream through Apple Music is different from music you purchased on iTunes, which is DRM-free.
What you lose
- Apple Music's streaming catalog (same content as Spotify, but better audio quality)
- Dolby Atmos spatial audio (distinctive Apple Music feature)
- iTunes Match (your personal library in iCloud)
- Seamless Siri integration and CarPlay music control
- Apple One bundle pricing if you're combining services
Honest assessment
Apple Music is the easiest Apple service to leave. Every major streaming alternative (Spotify, Tidal, Amazon Music, YouTube Music) has comparable catalogs. The transition is: export your liked songs/playlists, sign up for an alternative, and cancel Apple Music. Tools like SongShift and Soundiiz automate playlist migration.
Data to export first
- Export your iTunes purchased music library (File → Library → Export Library in iTunes/Music app)
- Purchased music files are at ~/Music/Music/Media/Music on Mac — back these up
- Export playlists (File → Library → Export Playlist → M3U format)
- Use SongShift (iOS) or Soundiiz (web) to migrate playlists to Spotify/Tidal
Alternatives
- Spotify $9.99/month individual; $14.99/month family — Largest catalog, best playlist discovery, most cross-platform. Standard quality audio (no lossless). Best for discovery.
- Tidal $10.99/month; $19.99/month HiFi — Lossless and Dolby Atmos audio matching Apple Music quality. Smaller user base. Best for audiophiles.
- Amazon Music Unlimited $8.99/month Prime members; $10.99 otherwise — Full HD and Ultra HD lossless. Good catalog. Integrates with Alexa. Not an exit from Amazon.
- YouTube Music $10.99/month — Best for finding live recordings, covers, and rare tracks. Transitions Google account.
- Plex (self-hosted music) — Host your own music library on your own hardware. Stream to any device. Own your library completely.
Migration steps
- Export your iTunes purchased music files to an external drive (they're DRM-free, you own them)
- Use SongShift (iOS app, free for limited transfers) or Soundiiz (web, $4.50 one-time) to export playlists
- Sign up for Spotify or Tidal and import your playlists
- Verify the transfer is complete
- Cancel Apple Music (Settings → [your name] → Subscriptions → Apple Music → Cancel)
- Import your purchased iTunes music files into your new player of choice