This wikiHow teaches you how to download songs and albums using Apple's internet storage platform and Apple's subscription service. If you don't subscribe to an Apple Music or iTunes Match service, iCloud downloads won't be available. You will need to sync your device to your desktop computer or purchase music from iTunes to download it to your device.
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Method 1 of 4: Setting Up Music on iPhone or iPad
Step 1. Open the settings menu (“Settings”)
This menu is indicated by a gray gear icon (⚙️) and is usually displayed on the home screen.
Make sure you're signed in to your device using the Apple ID associated with your Apple Music or iTunes Match membership, as well as a desktop computer that contains your personal iTunes music library
Step 2. Swipe the screen and touch Music
It's in the middle of the menu.
Step 3. Slide the "Show Apple Music" switch to the on or "On" position
The switch is at the top of the screen and will turn green.
Step 4. Slide the "iCloud Music Library" switch to the on or "On" position
The switch is in the middle of the menu.
- Slide switch" Cellular Data ” to the “On” (green) or “Off” (white) position to enable or disable downloading content from iCloud using the cellular data network.
- Swipe screen and move switch” Automatic Downloads ” to the “On” (green) or “Off” (white) position to enable or disable the automatic download of new music purchased to all devices connected to your iCloud account.
- When downloading media, it's a good idea to connect your device to a WiFi network to save on mobile data usage.
Method 2 of 4: Downloading Music from iCloud Using an iTunes Match Subscription on iPhone or iPad
Step 1. Open Music
This app is marked by a white icon with colorful musical notes.
Step 2. Touch Library
It's in the lower-left corner of the screen.
Step 3. Touch Songs
It's in the list at the top of the screen.
Step 4. Swipe the screen to the desired song
The songs are listed alphabetically by the name of the musician.
Alternatively, touch the “ Search ” in the lower right corner of the screen, touch the " Search " field at the top of the screen, select the tab “ Your Library ” below the column, and type in the desired artist name or song title.
Step 5. Touch the “Download” button
This button looks like a cloud with a down arrow next to the song you want.
The button appears next to all the songs that are stored in your music library but are not yet available on your device
Method 3 of 4: Downloading Songs from iCloud Using an Apple Music Membership on iPhone or iPad
Step 1. Open Music
This app is marked by a white icon with colorful musical notes.
Step 2. Touch Search
It's in the lower-right corner of the screen.
Step 3. Touch the “Search” field
This column is at the top of the screen.
If the " Apple Music " tab under the column isn't already red, tap it
Step 4. Type in a song title, artist name, or album title
The search results will be displayed below the search field.
Step 5. Touch the desired result
After that, you will be taken to a page with all the available results. The search results are grouped into several categories, such as "Top Results", "Albums", "Songs", "Playlists", and others.
- Swipe and tap the search results until you find the music you want to download.
- Touch " See All ” in the top right corner of each category to display all results for that category.
Step 6. Touch the song or album
Select the music you want to download to your device.
Step 7. Touch +
This button is to the right of the song or album you want to download. Now, the selected music has been added to the iCloud music library and is available on any connected device with the appropriate Apple ID.
Step 8. Touch the “Download” button
This button looks like a cloud with a down arrow next to the song you want. Now, you have successfully downloaded the selected song to your device.
The button appears next to all the songs that are stored in your music library but are not yet available on your device
Method 4 of 4: Using a Computer
Step 1. Open iTunes on the computer
iTunes is included by default on Mac computers. Windows users can download it for free from Apple's website.
Step 2. Click Accounts
It's in the menu bar at the top of the screen.
- If you see your own name at the top of the menu, you're already signed in to your Apple account.
- If not, click " Sign In… ” at the top of the menu, then type in your Apple ID and password.
Step 3. Click the drop-down menu in the upper-left corner of the iTunes window
Step 4. Click Music
Your music library will be displayed.
Step 5. Click View
It's in the menu bar at the top of the screen.
Step 6. Click All Music
After that, all the songs and albums that have been added to iTunes, as well as content stored in the iCloud music library will be displayed.
Step 7. Click Songs
This option is under the drop-down menu. All songs stored in your music library will be displayed, including your iCloud music library.
Step 8. Swipe to the song you want to download
Use the scroll bar on the right side of the window or the directional keys on the keyboard to scroll through the screen.
- Click the search field in the upper-right corner of the iTunes window and type in a song title or album name to quickly find the music you want in your library.
- Apple Music members can use this field to search for available songs in the Apple Music library.
Step 9. Click the “Download” button
This button looks like a cloud with a down arrow, and appears next to the song or album title. The selected music is now downloaded to the iTunes library on the computer.
- A download button appears next to any song or album that's stored in your iCloud music library, but isn't yet available on your device.
- You don't need to download music from your iCloud music library if you want to listen to it. You can stream songs stored in your library. If you subscribe to the Apple Music service, you can even stream any song available in your Apple Music library.
