As an iPhone owner, you might be facing a challenge of transferring music from iPhone to Mac without using iTunes. iTunes is a great software, but it has certain limitations that frustrate its users. You cannot transfer files selectively, and iTunes syncs all the data on your iPhone to the computer. What if you don’t want to transfer all the data, but only the music? Do not worry. In this blog, we will guide you through 4 methods that will help you copy music from your iPhone to your Mac without using iTunes.
Video Tutorial:
The Challenge of Copying Music from iPhone to Mac without iTunes
The challenge that users face while copying music from iPhone to Mac without iTunes is that Apple does not provide a default way to transfer files in this way. Apple wants its users to use iTunes to transfer files, but it is not necessary. Moreover, many users report that iTunes deletes their music or mixes up their music files. Also, iTunes is a heavy software that takes up lots of space on their Macs, and sometimes iTunes crashes or freezes while syncing files. These limitations and challenges of iTunes make users look for alternative methods to copy music from their iPhones to their Macs.
Method 1: Use AirDrop to Transfer Music from iPhone to Mac
AirDrop is a built-in feature on iPhones and Macs that enables users to share files wirelessly between Apple devices. Here are the steps to copy music from iPhone to Mac using AirDrop:
Step 1: Enable AirDrop on both your iPhone and Mac by opening the Control Center on iPhone and the AirDrop window on Mac.
Step 2: Make sure both devices are within the range of each other and detectable by AirDrop.
Step 3: On your iPhone, open your Music app and select the songs you want to transfer.
Step 4: Tap on the share icon and select the AirDrop option.
Step 5: Choose your Mac from the list of available devices, click on it, and wait for the transfer to complete.
Pros:
– Easy to use
– Fast transfer speed
– No third-party software required
Cons:
– Both devices must be within range of each other
– Not suitable for transferring large music libraries
Method 2: Use iCloud to Sync Music Between iPhone and Mac
iCloud is a cloud storage service that Apple provides to its users, and it can be used to sync music between an iPhone and a Mac. Here are the steps to copy music from iPhone to Mac using iCloud:
Step 1: On your iPhone, go to Settings > Music > turn on iCloud Music Library.
Step 2: Make sure you are signed in to iCloud on both devices with the same Apple ID.
Step 3: On your Mac, go to System Preferences > iCloud and make sure iCloud Music Library is turned on.
Step 4: Wait for the music to sync between the devices.
Pros:
– Easy to use
– No need to connect devices physically
– Syncs music across all devices linked to the same Apple ID
Cons:
– Requires an internet connection
– Limited to 100,000 songs in the library
– May take longer to sync large music libraries
Method 3: Use Third-Party Software to Transfer Music from iPhone to Mac
Third-party software such as iMazing, AnyTrans, and iExplorer can also be used to transfer music from an iPhone to a Mac. Here are the steps to copy music from iPhone to Mac using iMazing:
Step 1: Download and install iMazing on your Mac.
Step 2: Connect your iPhone to your Mac using a USB cable.
Step 3: Open iMazing and click on Music.
Step 4: Select the songs you want to transfer and click on Export to Mac.
Step 5: Choose the location on your Mac where you want to save the music files and click on Export.
Pros:
– Provides more control over file transfer
– Can transfer files selectively
– No internet connection needed
Cons:
– Some third-party software may not be free
– May not transfer songs with DRM protection
– Some software may not support the latest iOS version
Method 4: Use Dropbox or Google Drive to Transfer Music from iPhone to Mac
Dropbox or Google Drive are cloud storage services that enable users to access their files from any device connected to the internet. Here are the steps to copy music from iPhone to Mac using Dropbox:
Step 1: Download and install Dropbox on your iPhone and Mac.
Step 2: Upload the music files you want to transfer from your iPhone to your Dropbox account.
Step 3: On your Mac, open the Dropbox app and download the music files to your Mac.
Pros:
– Easy to use
– No need to connect devices physically
– Accessible from any device connected to the internet
Cons:
– Limited storage space in the free version
– Requires an internet connection
– May take longer to transfer large music libraries
Why Failed to Copy Music from iPhone to Mac without iTunes
There are several reasons why you may face difficulties copying music from your iPhone to your Mac without using iTunes. Some of these reasons are:
1. The devices are not connected to the same Wi-Fi network or paired via Bluetooth, which is necessary for transferring files via AirDrop.
2. iCloud Music Library is not turned on, which means music is not synced across devices.
3. Third-party software you are using is not updated to support the latest iOS version or has compatibility issues with your Mac’s operating system.
4. The music files have digital rights management (DRM) protection, which prevents them from being transferred or shared via third-party software or cloud storage services.
To fix these issues, make sure both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network, turn on iCloud Music Library, update the third-party software, and check whether the music files have DRM protection.
FAQs
Q1. Can I transfer only selected songs from my iPhone to my Mac using third-party software?
A1. Yes, third-party software such as iMazing allows you to transfer music files selectively, which means you can choose which songs to transfer to your Mac.
Q2. How much storage space do I get with the free versions of Dropbox and Google Drive?
A2. Dropbox provides 2GB of free storage space, while Google Drive provides 15GB of free storage space.
Q3. How long does it take to transfer large music libraries using AirDrop?
A3. The time it takes to transfer large music libraries using AirDrop depends on the size of the library and the speed of the Wi-Fi network. However, AirDrop is generally faster than other methods.
Q4. Is it legal to remove DRM protection from music files?
A4. No, it is illegal to remove DRM protection from music files, and you may face legal consequences for doing so.
Q5. What should I do if my iPhone or Mac is not detecting the other device via AirDrop?
A5. If your iPhone or Mac is not detecting the other device via AirDrop, make sure both devices are within range of each other, AirDrop is turned on, and your devices are supported by AirDrop. If the issue persists, try restarting both devices and turning AirDrop off and on again.
Q6. Can I use Google Drive to transfer music from my iPhone to my Mac?
A6. Yes, you can use Google Drive to transfer music from your iPhone to your Mac. Simply upload the music files to your Google Drive account on your iPhone and download them on your Mac by signing in to Google Drive on your web browser or downloading the Google Drive app.
Conclusion
Copying music from iPhone to Mac without iTunes can be a daunting task, but with these four methods, it becomes a lot easier. AirDrop, iCloud, third-party software, and cloud storage services such as Dropbox and Google Drive all offer viable options for transferring music files from your iPhone to your Mac. However, each method has its pros and cons, and users should choose the method that suits their needs based on their preferences, speed, convenience, and budget.