How to Move Music from iTunes to Android

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For years now, iTunes has been the go-to media player and library for millions of people worldwide. Apple devices are incredibly popular and continue to impress with its intuitive approach to media management. However, not everyone has an Apple device, and with the rise in popularity of Android smartphones, many listeners are left wondering how to move their music from iTunes to their non-Apple devices. In this article, we’ll take a look at the process to help you transfer your favorite tunes from your iTunes library to your Android device.

If you have just switched from an iPhone to an Android phone, you would want to keep your iTunes music on your new phone. iTunes is a media player and media library app which helps you manage and play various types of media files such as music, videos, podcasts, audiobooks, and more. While it is designed for Apple devices only, you can still transfer some or all the music stored in your iTunes library to your new Android phone. It is not very difficult, and there are many different ways to do it.

Video Tutorial:

What’s Needed

Before we dive into the various ways to transfer your iTunes music library to your Android device, let’s first talk about what’s needed.

  • A computer or a laptop
  • An Android phone with a USB cable to connect to your computer
  • The latest version of iTunes installed on your computer
  • A music transfer app such as DoubleTwist, iSyncr, or MusicBee

What Requires Your Focus?

When you move your music from iTunes to Android, you need to focus on the following:

  • Compatibility issues
  • File formats
  • Transferring metadata (like artists, albums, and album art)
  • Music quality – Android phones support a variety of music file formats, some of which might not play on iTunes

Different Methods to Move Music from iTunes to Android

There are several ways to transfer your iTunes music to your Android phone, including:

Method 1: Via USB cable

If you want a straightforward transfer process, the traditional way is to connect your Android smartphone to your computer using a USB cable. This method is commonly used, and it’s reliable.

Steps:

  1. Plug your Android phone with your computer using a USB cable.
  2. On your phone, swipe down from the top of the screen, and tap the USB notification.
  3. Tap on the “Transfer files” option.
  4. On your computer, go to “This PC” or “My Computer,” and locate your Android phone’s storage.
  5. Open the “Music” folder (if there is none, create one), and drag and drop the music files from your iTunes library to this folder.

Pros:

  • Easy to use
  • Doesn’t require any additional software

Cons:

  • You can’t transfer metadata such as the artist name, album name, or album art.
  • You have to use an external app to sync the music to your device’s built-in music player.

Method 2: Via Google Play Music Manager

Another way of transferring your iTunes music to your Android device is with the use of Google Play Music Manager. Google Play Music is a streaming service, but it also allows you to transfer the music in your iTunes library to your Android device.

Steps:

  1. Download and install Google Play Music Manager on your computer.
  2. Open and launch the program on your computer. Sign in using your Google account.
  3. Select “Upload songs to Google Play” on the left side of the screen.
  4. Click on the iTunes option, and then select “Next.”
  5. Find and select the music folder in your iTunes library. Click on “Upload” at the bottom right of the screen.
  6. Install the Google Play Music app on your Android smartphone.
  7. Open the app, and the songs should start syncing automatically.

Pros:

  • No need to worry about file formats.
  • Transfers metadata.

Cons:

  • Limitations on the amount of storage space for free accounts
  • Will require upgrading to a paid account to store a large collection of songs

Method 3: Via Dropbox/Google Drive

Another way to get your iTunes music on your Android device is to use cloud storage services such as Dropbox or Google Drive. Once your music is in the cloud, you can access it over the internet on your Android device.

Steps:

  1. Upload your iTunes music to Dropbox or Google Drive from your computer.
  2. Install Dropbox or Google Drive on your Android phone, sign in using your account
  3. Find and navigate to the music folder, and select the songs to import to your Android phone.

Pros:

  • Cloud storage is accessible from any device with an internet connection.
  • No need to worry about file formats.

Cons:

  • Limitations on the amount of storage space available on free accounts.
  • You will need the internet to access your music.

Method 4: Via Third-Party Apps – iSyncr

iSyncr is a popular app that lets you manage your Android device’s music library via iTunes. The app is made explicitly for music and can quickly transfer your iTunes library to your Android device.

Steps:

  1. Download and install iSyncr on your Android device and your PC or Mac.
  2. Open iSyncr on your PC/Mac, and select the iTunes playlists you want to transfer to your Android device.
  3. Connect your Android device with your PC/Mac using a USB cable.
  4. Open iSyncr on your Android device and tap the “Sync” button to start the music transfer.

Pros:

  • Transfers metadata.
  • Transfers playlists and ratings.

Cons:

  • The app requires a paid version to enable Wi-Fi syncing and to access more features.

Method 5: Via Android File Transfer

If you are a Mac user who wants to transfer your iTunes music library to your Android device, Apple provides a software called Android File Transfer.

Steps:

  1. Download the Android File Transfer app and install it on your Mac.
  2. Connect your Android device to your Mac using a USB cable.
  3. Open Android File Transfer, and navigate through the Android file system to the Music folder.
  4. Locate the music files in your iTunes library on your Mac and transfer them to the Music folder on your Android device.

Pros:

  • No need to worry about file formats.
  • Transfers metadata.

Cons:

  • Only compatible with Mac computers.
  • You need to download and install an extra app.

Why Can’t I Move Music from iTunes to Android?

There may be several reasons why you might encounter issues when trying to move your music from iTunes to Android:

  1. The audio file format is not compatible with Android.
  2. The protected/DRM-encrypted files from iTunes can’t be played on Android.
  3. The iTunes files you want to copy are not properly imported into the iTunes library.

To fix these issues, you can try the following:

  1. Convert files to compatible formats such as .mp3.
  2. Remove the DRM protection from the files.
  3. Use third-party apps that can handle file format conversions.

Implications and Recommendations

Now that you know the different ways to transfer your music from iTunes to your Android device, here are some additional tips:

  • Make sure to avoid file formats that are not supported by your Android device.
  • Keep your music library organized, and regularly clean up duplicate files.
  • Backup your music files regularly to avoid losing them.

5 FAQs about Moving Music from iTunes to Android

Q1: Can I get iTunes music on my Android without a computer?

A: Yes, you can transfer your music from iTunes to your Android smartphone using Google Play Music. You will need to download the Google Play Music app on your Android smartphone, sign in using your Google account and upload the music from iTunes on to your Google Play library. The music in your Google Play library will be available on your Android device.

Q2: What is the best app to transfer music from iTunes to Android?

A: There are several apps such as iSyncr, DoubleTwist, or MusicBee that can be used to transfer music from iTunes to Android. However, the best app for you depends on your personal preferences and device compatibility. You should research and read reviews of each app to determine the best option for you.

Q3: How do I locate my music files in iTunes?

A: To locate your music files in iTunes, open iTunes on your computer, click on the “Music” option, and select “Library.” Your music files will be displayed in this section.

Q4: Can I transfer my music wirelessly?

A: Yes, if you are using an app like iSyncr, you can transfer your music wirelessly between your computer and Android device.

Q5: How do I transfer my iTunes playlists to my Android device?

A: To transfer your iTunes playlist to your Android device, you can use an app like iSyncr or DoubleTwist. Both apps allow you to transfer your playlists from iTunes, along with your music files, directly to your Android device.

Final Words

Transferring your music from iTunes to your Android device may seem daunting, but there are several ways to do it. With the right tools and steps, anyone can do it. So feel free to choose the method that works best for you and your device.

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