This wikiHow teaches you how to add new music to your iPhone's Music app. You can do this by syncing your device with the iTunes library on your computer, buying new songs from the iTunes store, or subscribing to Apple Music. Alternatively, you can use a free streaming service, such as Spotify or Pandora, to be able to listen to all the music you prefer for free. Remember that services of this type are financed through advertising.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Sync iTunes Library
Step 1. Launch iTunes
It features a multicolored music note icon set against a white background.
Step 2. If necessary, import the new songs into the iTunes media library
In addition to being able to buy new music directly from the store, there are two ways to add new songs to iTunes:
- MP3 files - if iTunes is your computer's default media player, you can double-click an MP3 file icon to add it directly to the program's library. Alternatively, access the menu File iTunes, click on the item Add folder to library, select the directory that contains the music to import to iTunes and click on the button Select folder located in the lower right corner of the dialog box.
- Audio CD - you can import the contents of an audio CD to iTunes by inserting it into your computer drive, clicking on the corresponding icon in the iTunes window and clicking on the button Import CD.
Step 3. Connect the iPhone to the computer
Use the USB cable that came with the iOS device. Connect one end to the communication port on the iPhone and the other to a free USB port on the computer.
Step 4. Click on the iPhone icon
It will appear in the upper left corner of the iTunes window once the program detects the device. The iPhone information detail screen will be displayed.
It will take a few seconds for iTunes to detect the iPhone and display the corresponding icon, so please be patient and don't worry
Step 5. Click the Synchronize button
It is gray in color and located at the bottom right of the iTunes window. The music in the program library will be transferred to the iPhone.
Step 6. Wait for the synchronization process to complete
The time required to complete this step may vary depending on the number of songs to be transferred to the iPhone.
Step 7. Click the Finish button
It is blue in color and located in the lower right corner of the window. The iPhone information screen will close and you will be redirected directly to the iTunes library. At this point, all the music you've imported to iTunes should also be present on the iPhone.
If some of the songs didn't sync properly, restart iTunes and try syncing again
Method 2 of 4: Buy Music on iPhone
Step 1. Launch the iTunes Store app on the iPhone
It features a magenta icon with a white star inside.
Step 2. Select the Search tab
It features a magnifying glass icon and is located in the lower right corner of the screen.
Step 3. Tap the search bar
It is located at the top of the screen. The virtual keyboard of the device will be displayed.
Step 4. Search for the music you want to listen to
Type in the name of the song, artist or album, then press the button Search for located in the lower right corner of the keyboard.
Step 5. Select the music to purchase
Tap the album or artist name you searched for, then locate the content you want to purchase (for example, the entire album or a single song) to be able to download it to your device.
If you searched for a specific song, locate it in the results list that appeared
Step 6. Select the button where the price of the item you want to buy is displayed
It is usually placed to the right of the song or album name you have chosen.
Step 7. Confirm your purchase
When prompted, authenticate with Touch ID or enter your Apple ID credentials. The music you have chosen will be downloaded directly into the iPhone Music app.
Step 8. Wait for the music to download to your device
The time required to complete this step can be several minutes if the internet connection is not very fast or if you have purchased an entire album. Once the download is complete, you will be able to find the music you purchased within the Music app.
If you have purchased an entire album, songs that have already been downloaded and are ready to play are marked with the button Play on the right of the name.
Method 3 of 4: Using Apple Music
Step 1. Launch the iPhone Settings app by tapping the icon
It is characterized by a gray colored gear.
In order to add new music to your iPhone via the Apple Music service you will first need to create an account to access the platform
Step 2. Scroll down the menu and select the Music option
It features the iTunes logo and is located approximately in the middle of the "Settings" menu.
Step 3. Tap the gray "Show Apple Music" slider
It will turn green
. This way you will have access to the Apple Music library.
Step 4. Tap the gray "iCloud Music Library" slider
It will turn green. This way you will have the ability to download music from Apple Music library directly to iTunes.
Step 5. Press the Keep Music button when prompted
You will have the option to keep the original copies of your music tracks directly on the device along with the music you download from Apple Music.
Step 6. Activate the gray "Automatic Downloads" slider
This way you will be sure that all the songs that will be added to the iCloud music library will be automatically downloaded to the iPhone so that you can listen to them even offline.
Step 7. Press the iPhone Home button
The Settings app will be minimized in the background and you will be redirected to your device's Home screen.
Step 8. Launch the Music app
It features a white icon with a multicolored musical note inside.
Step 9. Select the Search tab
It is located in the lower right corner of the screen and features a magnifying glass.
Step 10. Tap the search bar
It is located at the top of the page in the "Search" section.
Step 11. Select the Apple Music tab
It is displayed in the upper left of the page below the search bar. This will allow you to search within the Apple Music platform instead of the device library.
Step 12. Type the name of a song, artist or album
You can choose whether to download a single song or an entire album using the Apple Music service.
Step 13. Press the Search button
It is blue in color and is located on the keyboard of the iPhone. The chosen item will be downloaded from Apple Music.
Step 14. Press the ＋ button on the right of the song
If you have searched for an album, press the button + Add located at the top of the album page. This way the chosen content will be downloaded to the iPhone music library.
- Remember that you can listen to all the content you have downloaded from Apple Music even offline.
- Content downloaded from Apple Music is marked with a cloud icon to the right of the corresponding name.
- Before the download of the chosen song or album begins, you will need to confirm your action.
Method 4 of 4: Using a Streaming Service
Step 1. Connect the iPhone to a Wi-Fi network if possible
Playing streaming content requires the transfer of a large amount of data which could quickly deplete the data traffic included in your rate plan. To avoid this scenario, only stream music when connected to a Wi-Fi network (if possible of course).
Step 2. Access the iPhone App Store by tapping the icon
In addition to being able to transfer music from your computer or be able to purchase it on iTunes, you can take advantage of one of the free streaming services. Normally they subsidize themselves by placing advertisements between the playing of a song and the other.
Step 3. Choose the streaming service you want to use
There are many apps available, below is the list of the most famous ones that allow you to listen to music completely free of charge:
- Spotify;
- Pandora;
- Google Play Music;
- Slacker Radio.
Step 4. Download the app of your choice
Push the button Get located to the right of the name of the streaming service you want to use, then authenticate by entering your Apple ID password or using Touch ID.
Step 5. Launch the app and create an account
In order to access the service, even if it is free, you need to create an account. The procedure to follow to create an account varies depending on the service you have chosen to use, but normally you will need to provide your e-mail address and create a security password.
- Spotify allows you to use your Facebook account to log in.
- Google Play Music allows you to use your Gmail account to login.
Step 6. Find the song or artist you want to listen to
Depending on the app you select, you will have several options to start listening to your music. Normally you will be able to search by artist or song name and then start listening to an automatically created playlist that will offer the content you are looking for.
For example Spotify allows you to listen to the single song you searched for while Pandora will create a playlist based on the artist, on the songs or on the genre you entered
Step 7. Listen to your favorite music
As long as the device is connected to the internet you will be able to stream your favorite music. If you have chosen to use a free account, the playback will be interrupted from time to time by some advertisements.
