How to Transfer Music from iTunes to Android

3 Top Ways to Copy iTunes Music to Android

Last Updated :  |  Author: Dev Team

How to transfer music from iTunes to Android

If you use iTunes to manage your music library, moving it to an Android device can seem impossible if you don't know where to start.

Unlike iPhones, Android devices don't sync directly with iTunes — but there are still a few easy ways to transfer your music.

In this guide, we'll show you the most effective methods, whether you want to copy files directly, sync your library, or access your music from the cloud.

Not a fan of iTunes?

Find out how to transfer music from computer to Android without iTunes

Method 1: Droid Transfer

First up is an all-in-one tool that covers most Android management needs - Droid Transfer. It lets you copy Music, Messages, Contacts, Photos and more from Android to PC. You can even sync music directly from iTunes to your Android (and vice versa). Unlike other methods, Droid Transfer will let you know exactly what music is in iTunes and what is on your Android, so you don't have to worry about losing or duplicating tracks. Here's how it's done:

  1. Launch Droid Transfer on your PC.
  2. Open the free Transfer Companion app on your Android.
  3. Connect your Android to Droid Transfer using Wi-Fi or USB.
  4. Click the Music section of Droid Transfer.
  5. Hit "Sync iTunes".
  6. Click "Sync tracks to Android".
Sync iTunes with Android phone

The free trial of Droid Transfer allows you to transfer 100 tracks FREE.

More info on Droid Transfer Download Droid Transfer

When you click "Sync iTunes", Droid Transfer will scan your iTunes library and let you know what tracks are in iTunes but not on your Android, and what tracks are on your Android but not in iTunes. You can use this information to copy only the tracks you are missing from device to device.

If you want even more control over exactly which tracks are copied, you can use the "Manual Selection". Now you can tick each track you'd like to copy and where to. Copy all songs, selected songs, selected artists or selected albums - the choice is yours!

Sync iTunes with Android phone - Advanced Mode

You can transfer files with Droid Transfer using a USB connection, or even wireless with Wi-Fi!

Watch the video to see how you can sync Music from iTunes to Android:

Method 2: Manual music management

Our second method doesn't have the intuitive user interface and robustness of the Droid Transfer app, however, if you don't mind rolling up your sleeves a little, this method can be great!

You don't need any third-party apps for this method - only your Windows File Explorer. Here's how to manually transfer music from iTunes to Android:

  1. Connect your Android phone to your PC.
  2. Choose to use your device in Transfer Mode (may be called MTP). Set Android to transfer files to computer
  3. Open File Explorer and go to your Android device's music folder. Access music on Android with Windows File Explorer
  4. Open another File Explorer window and locate your iTunes music folder.
    By default, this is in: This PC > Music > iTunes > iTunes Media > Music.
  5. Drag and drop tracks from iTunes to your Android! Copy music from iTunes to Android with Windows File Explorer

You can drag and drop artist folders or single tracks from one window to another (iTunes to your Android device); or you can select all the music you wish to copy from iTunes, right-click > Copy, then select your Windows File Explorer window showing your Android music and right-click > Paste.

Method 3: YouTube Music

YouTube Music is ideal if you want to access your music across multiple devices or save space on your Android phone. It lets you upload up to 100,000 tracks for free and access them on Android, iOS, or the web when signed in.

This means you don't need to store music files on your device, saving storage space. However, you'll need an internet connection to stream your music, which could use mobile data.

If you'd prefer to listen offline, you can download tracks from your YouTube Music library to your Android device.

Learn how to upload music to YouTube Music with these simple steps:

  1. Go to music.youtube.com in your web browser.
  2. Sign In using your Google account details or create a new account if you don't have one.
  3. Open File Explorer on your PC and select the music you want to upload.
    By default, iTunes music files can be located at: your username (or This PC) > Music > iTunes > iTunes Media > Music.
  4. Drag and drop your music files from your computer into the YouTube Music browser window.
    You'll receive a popup to let you know that your tracks are being uploaded.
    Upload music from PC to YouTube Music
  5. You can access your uploaded music in Library > Songs > Uploads.

Once uploaded, you can enjoy your music on any device with your YouTube Music account. Simply open the YouTube Music app on your device and find your uploaded songs in Library > Songs > Uploads.

You can get YouTube Music from the Google Play Store if you don't have it already.

Access uploaded music in YouTube Music app

If you'd like to have your music available to listen to when you are not connected to the internet, you can download it to your device.

To do this, when viewing your Uploads in YouTube Music, tap the 3-dot icon next to a track to open the menu, then tap Download.

Did you know?

Unlike for music which you have not uploaded, you can listen to your uploaded music ad-free and in the background (while YouTube Music is not the active app on your device) even if you do not subscribe to the Premium service.

Comparison & Summary

So, we have covered 3 different methods you can use to transfer music from iTunes to your Android mobile device. Each method has its strengths, so different methods may better suit different people's requirements. Let's take a look at the comparison to help you decide which method may be best for you.

Features Droid Transfer Manual Management YouTube Music
Best for Quick, controlled transfers in both directions Free manual file transfer Accessing music across devices
Transfer music from iTunes to Android
Local transfer
Wireless transfer
Detect music on each device for efficient syncing
Easy to use interface
Where music is stored On your Android On your Android In the cloud
Extras
Transfer other files Messages, Photos, Calendars, Contacts, Call Logs, Files. Photos, Files.
Stream new music
Cost $30.00 / one-time payment Free $10.99 / per month, or free limited tier

All benefits and limitations considered; we can recommend certain methods for certain requirements.

  • If you are looking for an all-in-one tool for managing all files between Android devices and your computer, you can't go wrong with the Droid Transfer app. It's rich in features, easy to use and offers both USB and WiFi transfers. Droid Transfer knows exactly which music you need to sync to update your music libraries.
  • For basic music transfers; say you want to transfer a specific song from iTunes to Android, or batch transfer all iTunes music to your Android, you can quickly use Windows File Explorer.
  • If you're in a position where you are running out of space on your Android, you may want to consider moving your music library to the cloud. In this case, you can upload your music to a service like YouTube Music. There are different levels of subscription here, so check out the different plans to see what suits your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you use iTunes on Android?

No, there isn't an iTunes app available for Android devices. However, you can still access your music by transferring files manually, using a transfer tool, or syncing your library through services like Apple Music or YouTube Music.

Can I move music from Apple Music to Android?

If you use an Apple Music subscription, you can install the Apple Music app on Android and sign in to access your library. If your music is stored locally in iTunes, you'll need to transfer the files manually or use a transfer tool to copy them to your device.

Why isn't my Android showing up on my PC?

This is usually because your device is not set to file transfer mode. When you connect your Android to your PC, unlock the device and select File Transfer (MTP) from the USB options. If it still doesn't appear, try a different USB cable or port, and make sure any required drivers are installed.

To find out how to connect your Android with Droid Transfer via Wi-Fi or USB, check out our full Droid Transfer connection guide.