You can sync Apple Music across devices without managing your library by hand on each one. The service works on far more than just Apple hardware. Sign in with your Apple Account and you can stream your favorite songs on an Android phone, a Windows PC, or even a smart TV.
After signing in on a new device, though, you may notice that your music library isn’t there. If that’s happened to you, don’t worry. Changing a single setting will prompt Apple Music to sync your music across all your devices.
Turn On Sync Library in Apple Music
First, Check Your Account
The main reason Apple Music might not sync your library across devices is that you’re using different accounts on each device, so check that first. If you’re not sure which account you’re using, open the Apple Music app and tap your profile picture on the Home tab. If the email address on the unsynced device doesn’t match, you’re signed in on a different account. Sign out, then log in using your primary Apple Account.
Enable Sync Library on Each Device
Once you’ve confirmed you’re using the same account everywhere, make sure Sync Library is enabled on your devices:
iPhone or iPad: Open Settings and look for Apps. Then find the Music app in the list and enable Sync Library.
Mac: Open the Music app and click the Music menu at the top of the screen, then go to Settings. Under the General tab, make sure Sync Library is enabled and click OK to save your settings.
Windows: The process is pretty much the same, but you need to click the three-dot button instead to find Settings.
Android: This option is enabled by default, and you don’t need to change anything.
The first sync might take a while, especially if you have a large music library. If you don’t see your songs right away after enabling syncing, leave the Music app open and wait a few minutes.
What to Do When Apple Music Won’t Sync
If your library still isn’t syncing, try forcing an update. In the Mac app, click the File menu, then go to Library and select Update Cloud Library. This will force the app to sync and check for updates in your personal library. The same option is available in the Windows app and can be found in the sidebar. Unfortunately, the Android and iOS apps don’t have that option.
Also make sure your mobile devices are connected to Wi-Fi and not in Low Power Mode, as this may prevent them from syncing your music library.
Quick Fixes to Try
If nothing else has worked, go back to Settings, turn off Sync Library, and then turn it back on. You can also try signing out of your Apple Account and logging back in. These simple resets often clear up a stuck sync.
Syncing a Local Library Without a Subscription
If you don’t subscribe to Apple Music and have an offline library on your Mac or PC, the only way to sync your library is to manually transfer the Music folder to another computer using Apple iTunes or Apple Devices.
While You’re in Settings
Syncing behavior isn’t the only setting you might want to change in Apple Music. While you’re there, it’s worth exploring other toggles, like changing the audio quality options to enable lossless audio. A few minutes in settings can noticeably improve how your music sounds and behaves across devices.
Keep Every Device in Tune
Getting your library to sync Apple Music properly comes down to two things: using the same Apple Account everywhere and enabling Sync Library on each device. From there, most sync problems clear up with a forced update, a Wi-Fi connection, or a quick toggle off and on. Set it up once and your songs follow you from phone to laptop to TV without any manual copying.
