iTunes used to be the first choice for transferring music from laptop to iPhone because it was free and integrated perfectly with Apple's ecosystem. But times have changed. In recent years, more and more users have turned to third-party tools for data transfer between iPhone and laptop. There are two main reasons:
So, whether you continue to use iTunes or explore other alternatives, here's how to transfer songs from laptop to iPhone with or without iTunes.
Professional data transfer software is the most effective solution to seamlessly transfer music between computer and iPhone. Tools like iPhone Data Transfer simplify the process, allowing you to transfer music from laptop to iPhone in just a few clicks. Not only music, it also supports cross-device transfer of photos, videos, contacts, and more.
Key Features of iPhone Data Transfer:
How do I transfer music from laptop to iPhone using iPhone Data Transfer?
01 Download and install this iPhone Music Transfer on your computer. Launch it and connect your iPhone to the computer via a USB cable.
02 iPhone Data Transfer will detect your iPhone and show its information on the primary interface. All the manageable file types are displayed on the left panel.
03 Click "Music" from the left window of the main interface, select a subfolder in the right side and tap the "+" button on the top to import music from the laptop to your iPhone.
While iTunes provides a basic method for transferring music from PC to iPhone, it has two key limitations: only one iTunes library can be transferred at a time, and there is a risk of data overwriting, which means that syncing new content may delete existing music, playlists, or ringtones. For a safer transfer and to avoid data loss, it is recommended to use a third-party transfer tool (Method 1).
Before you transfer music from PC to iPhone using iTunes, make sure iTunes is installed on your Windows PC. Get a USB cable ready to connect your iPhone.
1. Connect your iPhone to PC using a USB cable and open the iTunes app on your computer.
2. At the top of iTunes, click "File" in the menu bar, select "Add File to Library" from the drop-down menu, and then select the music files you want to transfer.
3. On the left side of iTunes, click "Music" and check the "Sync Music" checkbox. Select
"Entire Music Library" (to copy all songs) or "Selected Playlists" (to select specific playlists).
4. Click "Apply" to start transferring music to iTunes.
5. On your iPhone, open the "Music" app, go to "Library", and tap "Songs" to see all the transferred music. (How to Transfer Songs from iTunes to iPhone?)
Cloud storage makes it easy to transfer music from your computer to your iPhone, without iTunes. Services like Dropbox and Google Drive let you store songs online for free, keeping your files safe and easily accessible.
Here's how to import music from your laptop to your iPhone using Dropbox:
1. Download and install the Dropbox app on your computer and iPhone. Sign in to your account (or create one if you don't already have one).
2. Open Dropbox on your computer. Drag and drop your music files (MP3, M4A, etc.) to Dropbox, or tap "Upload" to select manually.
3. Open the Dropbox app on your iPhone. Sign in to the account you use on your computer. Find the music files you uploaded—they'll be in your Dropbox folder.
4. Tap the three dots next to the song and select "Set for offline" (or "Download," depending on your app version).
Once the download is complete, you can play your music anytime, even when you don't have an internet connection. If you are interested, see here to know more about how to transfer files from computer to iPhone via Dropbox.
Good news! New iPhones and Windows PCs allow you to transfer music directly using a USB cable, no iTunes and extra software required. Here's how:
1. Connect your iPhone to your PC using a USB cable. When prompted by your iPhone, tap "Trust This Computer".
2. Open File Explorer on your Windows PC. Look for "Apple iPhone" in the sidebar (under "This PC").
3. Open the folder where you want to store your music, drag and drop the MP3/M4A files from your PC into it. (How to Transfer MP3 to iPhone from Computer or Other iPhone?)
4. Open the Files app on your iPhone, go to the folder where you saved your music, and your songs will now play.
If you have an Apple Music subscription, you can easily sync your music collection from computer to iPhone without cables. Here's how to set it up:
1. Make sure you have the Apple Music app installed on your Windows PC. Open it and sign in with your Apple ID - this needs to be the same account you use on your iPhone.
2. Add your music to the Apple Music library on your PC. You can do this by clicking "File" in the top menu, then choosing either "Add File to Library" for individual songs or "Add Folder to Library" for entire collections. Select the music you want to transfer.
3. Go to "Music" in the menu bar, select "Preferences," then click the "General" tab. Look for "Sync Library" and check this option. This tells Apple Music to share your collection across devices.
4. On your iPhone, open "Settings" and scroll down to "Music". Make sure you're signed in with the same Apple ID, then turn on "Sync Library." Open the Music app and wait a few minutes. Your songs should start appearing automatically.
If you use a streaming music service like Apple Music, Spotify, or Google Play Music, you can easily access the music on your computer on your iPhone. Here's how to do it with Apple Music (since it's built into iOS):
1. First, install the Apple Music app on your Windows PC and sign in with your Apple ID (Can't Sign Into Apple ID?). Make sure you're using the same account on your computer and iPhone.
2. Create a new playlist by tapping "Playlists" in the menu, then select "New Playlist." Give it a name so you can remember what's in it. Now you can add songs by tapping the "+" button and selecting music files from your computer's folders.
3. Once all the songs have been added, you can add a description if you want (this is optional), then tap "Done" to save it. The playlist will automatically sync to Apple's servers.
4. On your iPhone, just open the Apple Music app - your new playlist will appear there in no time. All the songs you added on your computer will be playable as long as you have an internet connection.
As you can see, transferring music from your computer to your iPhone is easier than ever, and there are a variety of options to choose from. Whether you prefer to use iTunes, a cloud service, a streaming app, or a direct transfer tool, we've got you covered with simple step-by-step instructions.
While all of these solutions work well, we especially recommend iPhone Data Transfer because it offers one-click operation, supports all music file types, has fast transfer speeds, and has other useful features beyond music transfer. This all-in-one tool is easy to use for both beginners and tech-savvy users.
Related Articles:
How to Transfer Music from iPhone to Computer Effectively? (4 Tips)
4 Ways to Transfer Music from iTunes to Android
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