The simplest way: use iCloud Music Library

If you have an Apple Music subscription or iTunes Match, turn on iCloud Music Library in your iPhone settings and your iTunes songs will appear on your phone automatically. Go to Settings > Music > iCloud Music Library and toggle it on. Your entire iTunes library syncs to the cloud, and you can stream or read individual songs to listen offline.

This method works whether your songs came from the iTunes Store, were imported from CDs, or were added from other sources. iCloud Music Library recognizes them all and makes them available on your iPhone without you having to manually move files around.

If you don't have an Apple Music or iTunes Match subscription, this option won't work — you'll need to use one of the other methods below.

Key Takeaways

  • iCloud Music Library is the fastest route if you have an Apple Music or iTunes Match subscription, because songs sync automatically once you turn it on in Settings.
  • If you don't subscribe to either service, you can sync songs through a computer using a USB cable and the Finder app (Mac) or iTunes (Windows).
  • You can also add individual songs to your iPhone by purchasing them from the iTunes Store directly on your phone, or by using AirDrop to send them from a Mac.
  • Imported songs from CDs and songs from other sources work with iCloud Music Library, but may not appear in the iTunes Store if you try to sync them the old way.

Syncing through a computer with a USB cable

If you don't have an Apple Music or iTunes Match subscription, you can connect your iPhone to a Mac or Windows computer and sync songs manually. Plug your iPhone into the computer with a USB cable.

On a Mac running Catalina or later, open the Finder app and click your iPhone in the sidebar. On a Windows computer, open iTunes. In either case, click the Music tab, check the box next to "Sync Music," and choose whether to sync your entire library or only selected playlists. Then click explore or Sync.

This method copies songs from your computer to your phone. The songs stay on your phone even if you disconnect the cable, but if you add new songs to iTunes on your computer later, you'll need to sync again to get them onto your phone.

Buying songs directly on your iPhone

You can purchase individual songs from the iTunes Store directly on your iPhone without needing a computer or subscription. Open the Music app, tap the Search tab at the bottom, find the song you want, and tap the price to buy it. The song downloads to your phone when ready.

This method works well if you only want a few specific songs, but it becomes expensive if you're trying to move a large library. Each song typically costs $1.29, though prices vary by artist and region.

Using AirDrop to send songs from a Mac

If you have songs on a Mac and want to move them to your iPhone without using iCloud or a cable, you can use AirDrop. On your Mac, open Finder, find the song file, right-click it, and select AirDrop. Your iPhone should appear in the list if both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network and Bluetooth is on. Click your iPhone to send the song.

Your iPhone will receive a notification asking whether to accept the song. Tap Accept, and the song is added to your Music app. This method works for one or a few songs at a time, but is slow for moving an entire library.

What to do if songs don't appear after syncing

If you synced songs but they're not showing up on your iPhone, first check that you're looking in the right place. Open the Music app and tap the Library tab at the bottom. If you synced a specific playlist, look for it there rather than in the main Songs view.

If the songs still don't appear, check that syncing actually completed. Go back to Finder (Mac) or iTunes (Windows), click your iPhone, and look at the Music tab to see the sync status. If it shows a sync is in progress, wait for it to finish. If the sync completed but songs are still missing, try disconnecting your iPhone, waiting 30 seconds, and reconnecting to sync again.

For songs imported from CDs or from other sources outside the iTunes Store, make sure they're actually in your iTunes library on the computer before you try to sync. Open iTunes or the Music app on your Mac and search for the song by name to confirm it's there.

Choosing between iCloud and cable syncing

iCloud Music Library is faster and requires no cable, but it only works if you pay for Apple Music or iTunes Match. It also requires a stable internet connection to sync, though once songs are on your phone you can listen to them offline if you've downloaded them.

Cable syncing works without a subscription and doesn't depend on internet speed, but it requires you to physically connect your phone to a computer each time you want to add new songs. It's the right choice if you have a small library that doesn't change often, or if you don't want to pay for a music subscription.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I move songs from iTunes to my iPhone without a computer?

Yes, if you have an Apple Music or iTunes Match subscription. Turn on iCloud Music Library in Settings > Music, and your iTunes songs will sync to your phone over the internet. You can also buy individual songs directly from the iTunes Store on your iPhone.

Do imported songs from CDs work with iCloud Music Library?

Yes. iCloud Music Library recognizes songs you imported from CDs and makes them available on your iPhone the same way it does with iTunes Store purchases. They sync automatically once you turn on iCloud Music Library.

What happens to my songs if I disconnect my iPhone from the computer?

Songs you synced via USB cable stay on your iPhone permanently. Disconnecting the cable doesn't remove them. If you add new songs to iTunes on your computer later, you'll need to sync again to get them onto your phone.

Can I use AirDrop to move my entire iTunes library at once?

AirDrop works best for a few songs at a time. For a large library, use iCloud Music Library (if you have a subscription) or cable syncing, both of which can move hundreds of songs in one operation.

Why do some of my iTunes songs not appear on my iPhone after syncing?

Check that the sync completed by looking at the Music tab in Finder or iTunes. If songs are still missing, make sure they're actually in your iTunes library on the computer by searching for them by name. Try disconnecting and reconnecting your iPhone to sync again.