How to Transfer Music from Mac to iPhone With or Without iTunes
This guide will list four proven ways to transfer music from Mac to iPhone. Read on and learn how to sync music between your Mac and iPhone or iPad within minutes.
To enjoy music freely, you need to transfer music from your computer to a more portable device like your iPhone.
In another article, we have detailed how to transfer music from PC to iPhone. Here I'd like to introduce four other practical ways to sync music from Mac to iPhone or iPad, with which you will be able to sync music to your iPhone from Mac effortlessly.
Part 1. How to Transfer Music from Mac to iPhone Without iTunes
You can transfer music from Mac to iPhone without using iTunes by using alternative methods such as using the built-in AirDrop feature, using a third-party app like AnyTrans, or using a cloud service like Google Drive or iCloud. These methods allow you to transfer music from your Mac to your iPhone without overwriting existing content on your iPhone.
Transferring music from your Mac to your iPhone can be done in various ways without relying on iTunes. There are three convenient methods to consider, allowing you to easily move your favorite tunes to your iPhone without the need for Apple's media management software.
Method 1. Transfer Music from Mac to iPhone Using iPhone Data Transfer Tool
The first option is to transfer music without syncing, which means that you can transfer music from one device to another without having to sync the entire device. This can be useful if you only want to transfer a few songs or albums. The second option is to transfer music quickly and flexibly, which means that you can transfer music in bulk and have more control over the transfer process. This can be useful if you have a large music library or want to transfer music to multiple devices at once.
If you need to transfer data from one iOS device to another, this software - Qiling MobiMover, can serve your purpose. With Qiling MobiMover installed on your Mac or PC, you can transfer files, photos, contacts, and more between your iOS devices.
- Transferring data between an iPhone/iPad and a computer, or between two iOS devices, is a straightforward process.
- Manage your iPhone/iPad files by deleting, adding, or creating new items, making it easy to keep your device organized and clutter-free.
- To back up your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, you can use iCloud, iTunes, or Finder. iCloud automatically backs up your device daily when it's connected to Wi-Fi and plugged into power.
- Transfer WhatsApp messages flexibly and safely.
- You can download online videos from YouTube and other websites directly to your computer or mobile device, such as an iPhone or iPad.
With this tool, you can transfer songs from your Mac to your iPhone, and also perform various iOS data transfer tasks.
To transfer music from Mac to iPhone without iTunes:
Step 1. Connect your iPhone to the Mac with a USB cable and tap "Trust This Computer" on your device if prompted. Then, run Qiling MobiMover for Mac and select "Mac to Phone" on the main screen, followed by clicking "Select Files" to continue.
Step 2. To transfer music files from your Mac to your Android device, select the music files you want to transfer, such as MP3 files, and click "Open" to proceed.
Step 3. Check the selected MP3 files on your Mac, click "Transfer" to start the transfer process, and once it's done, open the Music app on your iPhone or iPad to verify the transferred files.
Qiling MobiMover is a versatile tool that not only supports music transfer but also allows you to transfer photos, videos, contacts, audiobooks, and various file types between your iPhone or iPad and a Mac or PC. Whether you want to transfer photos from your Mac to your iPad or files from your PC to your iPad, this tool has got you covered. It's a safe and quick way to sync music to your iPhone, and you can download it now to get started.
Method 2. How to Copy Music from Mac to iPhone via Finder
Starting with macOS Catalina, Finder replaced iTunes, and now its functionality is built into Finder. With Finder, you can sync various files from your Mac to your iPhone or iPad.
- Albums, songs, playlists, movies, TV shows, podcasts, books, and audiobooks
- Photos and videos
- Contacts and calendars
To sync music from Mac to iPhone with Finder:
Step 1. Connect your iPhone to the Mac with a USB cable, then open the Finder on your Mac.
Step 2. Unlock your iPhone and trust the computer. If asked, enter your iPhone password to continue.
Step 3. To access the Music app on your device, click on the "Locations" section in the Finder window and select the device you want to access. Then, click on the "Music" icon in the Finder window to open the Music app.
Step 4. To sync music onto your iPhone, go to Settings, then Music, and check the option to sync your entire music library or select specific artists, albums, genres, and playlists.
Step 5. To transfer music from your Mac to your iPhone, select the desired songs by clicking on them, and then click on the "Apply" button to initiate the transfer process.
Method 3. How to Transfer Music from Mac to iPhone with Cloud Services
Cloud services like Google Play Music, Dropbox, and Amazon Music allow you to transfer music from Mac to iPhone by syncing, saving iPhone storage by not requiring downloads. Alternatively, you can download music to your iPhone for offline listening.
Dropbox is a cloud storage service that allows users to upload and store files online, and then access them from anywhere with an internet connection. This way, users can access their files on any device with a web browser, without having to physically transport a USB drive or other storage device. Dropbox also offers features such as file sharing, collaboration, and version history, making it a popular choice for both personal and professional use.
Step 1. Download and install Dropbox on your computer and iPhone.
Step 2. To sign in to Dropbox on your devices, you can use the same account credentials across all your devices. This allows you to access your Dropbox files and folders from any device, at any time, as long as you have an internet connection.
Step 3. Upload the songs from the computer to Dropbox.
Step 4. To view the items you've uploaded to Dropbox on your iPhone, open the Dropbox app on your device, and you'll see a list of the files and folders you've uploaded. You can browse through the list to find the specific item you're looking for. Alternatively, you can use the search function to quickly locate a particular file or folder.
Step 5. To transfer music from your Mac to your iPhone, follow these steps: connect your iPhone to your Mac using a USB cable, open the Music app on your Mac and select the songs, albums, or playlists you want to transfer, then click on "Add to Library" to import the selected music into your Mac's Music library, and finally, sync your iPhone with your Mac by opening the Settings app on your iPhone, tapping on "Music", and selecting the option to sync with your Mac's Music library. Alternatively, you can use the "Transfer Purchases" feature in the Music app on your Mac to transfer music you've purchased from the iTunes Store to your iPhone.
Part 2. How to Sync Music from Mac to iPhone via iTunes
iTunes is Apple's tool for backing up and syncing data between a Mac and iPhone/iPad, but it will replace the files on your iPhone with the songs synced from iTunes if you use it.
If you have added the songs to the iTunes library, you can directly sync music to your iPhone. If not, you'll need to add the files to the iTunes library by going to "File" > "Add File to Library" and then you can sync the music to your iPhone.
To download music from Mac to iPhone with iTunes:
Step 1. Connect your iPhone to your Mac, and if iTunes doesn't launch automatically, run it manually.
Step 2. If your iPhone is not showing up in iTunes, you may need to solve the problem before continuing. To connect your iPhone to iTunes, click the device icon in iTunes. If your iPhone can't connect to iTunes, you'll need to troubleshoot the issue first.
Step 3. To sync your music, select "Music" from the left side panel and click the checkbox next to "Sync Music".
Step 4. Choose between copying your entire music library or specific playlists, artists, albums, and genres, and select the desired items to copy.
Step 5. To sync music from your Mac to your iPhone using iTunes, click "Sync" after selecting the songs you want to add, and the process will begin. Once complete, you can verify the added songs in your iPhone's music library.
Other Tips to Put Music on iPhone
You can transfer music from your Mac to your iPhone using the Music app, but there are other ways to put music on your iPhone, such as downloading music directly from the iTunes Store or subscribing to Apple Music. You can also transfer music from one iPhone to another to expand your iPhone music library. For more details, refer to the guide on downloading music onto iPhone.
The Bottom Line
If you have Apple Music, your Mac music library will sync automatically to your iPhone or iPad. Otherwise, you can use one of the common methods to transfer music from your Mac to your iDevice, such as using a cable, AirDrop, or a third-party app, to successfully copy songs to your iPhone.
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