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How to get music from PC to iPhone without iTunes [Full guide]
Eager to find the easiest ways to transfer your music from PC to iPhone without iTunes? Solutions like cloud storage, streaming service and file sharing software can help!
Get your music transferred from PC to iPhone without iTunes in multiple efficient ways.
Any music saved on your computer can be transferred to your iPhone. Many users may like to use the iTunes, which is the official way provided by Apple for music collection management and media file organization. However, the truth is that quite a few people prefer to transfer music from PC to iPhone without iTunes to prevent the hassle of iTunes erasing all current music on iPhone every time the music transfer is complete.
Fortunately, iTunes is not your only option. There are a variety of ways that can help you with music transfer on PC to iPhone without iTunes. Whether the local music files on your PC, or the non-copyright songs you want to enjoy on your iPhone, here we'll show you how to transfer music from PC to iPhone without iTunes quickly and safely, feel free to pick the best one for your needs.
Without iTunes, the music on PC can be transferred to iPhone via file transferring software like AppGeeker iPhone Data Transfer which supports multiple files types and music formats, making it extremely fast to get music from PC to iPhone not using iTunes.
How to transfer music from PC to iPhone when using iTunes
Before we dive into the alternatives to iTunes to transfer your music from PC to iPhone, it's worth noting that iTunes is still a reliable option for managing and transferring music from PC to iPhone, including your playlists, albums, genres and artists. But be aware that iTunes transfers music to your iPhone from PC with syncing, so the existing songs on your iPhone will be totally erased and replaced by the synced music from your iTunes library on PC.
If it's acceptable, here are the preparations you need before music transfer from your computer:
The process requires a wired connection and the latest version of iTunes.
Add your music files from PC to iTunes music library by heading to File > Add File to Library in the iTunes window, or drag and drop the tracks to your iTunes library instead.
Now, follow the steps on how to use iTunes to sync your music from PC to iPhone, whether the purchased songs in iTunes store, or the non-purchased music files you added in iTunes library:
1. Launch iTunes on your PC.
2. Connect your iPhone to computer using a USB cable. Unlock your iPhone and trust your computer; you may be asked to input your screen passcode for confirmation.
3. Click your iPhone icon from the upper-left corner.
4. From the left side, select Music in the Settings section.
5. Select Sync Music option, and choose the music files you want to get on your iPhone.
Enable Entire music library option, it will sync all iTunes music on PC with your iPhone.
Enable Selected playlists, artists, albums, and genres, you can choose specific music content to transfer from the expanded categories.
6. Start the sync process by clicking on Apply button.
7. Once done, check the transferred songs on your iPhone in Music app, where you can play, share your songs or playlists, or remove what you don't want.
However, keep in mind that all your previous music on iPhone will be swiped out, which may cause some data loss. Anyone who doesn't like this, feel free to try the following ways to transfer music on PC to iPhone with iTunes alternatives:
How to transfer music from PC to iPhone without iTunes (Local songs)
For local music files saved in your PC's folder, using cloud services is a great way to transfer music files from computer to iPhone not with iTunes. Also, you may prefer a wired way to perform a straightforward music transfer without iTunes from PC to iPhone directly.
Use iCloud Storage
Cloud services like iCloud Storage connect your computer and phone without cables, enabling you to wirelessly transfer music from your PC to iPhone without the need for iTunes. iCloud is powerful and easy to use, allowing you to store your media data and personal files on its servers, so you can access the content from any of your device or drive with an internet connection.
Before exploring how to transfer music from computer to iPhone without iTunes, you will need your Apple ID and the password to use the service for music upload and download. For each Apple account, iCloud offers 5 GB of free cloud storage shared across devices, which may be enough to make small-amount music transfer from your PC to iPhone without using iTunes.
Note: To avoid unplayable music transferred to your iPhone, make sure your songs and tracks are all in iOS-compatible audio formats, including MP3, FLAC, M4A, AAC, WAV, etc.
Step 1. Open the iCloud web on your Windows browser, and log in to your iCloud account using the correct Apple ID and password. Then you will be taken to the iCloud dashboard.
Tip: iCloud will verify your account with two-factor authentication, so make sure to sign in with the same Apple ID that is used on your iPhone.
Step 2. Simply click on the iCloud Drive icon shown on the welcome screen. Afterward, all the files stored in your iCloud Drive are accessible now.
Step 3. Click Browser from left sidebar. All files saved in your iCloud Drive are accessible here. You can sort them by date, kind, name and size.
Step 4. Hit the Upload icon at the top. This will open a local folder on your PC for you to select any music file you want to transfer to your iPhone, no need iTunes. Additionally, iCloud Drive also allows you to create a new folder to hold all your music files if you click the folder icon at the top.
Step 5. Add music files from your PC. They will be uploaded to iCloud Drive within a few minutes.
Step 6. On your iPhone, open Files app > Browse > iCloud Drive, where you're able to select and download the newly synced music files to your iPhone with taps.
Note:
If iCloud Drive isn't enabled on your iPhone, tap the Turn On iCloud Drive button that appears on the Files screen, and toggle it on. Alternatively, go to your iPhone Settings, tap your device name > iCloud, and turn on iCloud Drive to activate automatic syncing.
If your iCloud storage is full, your music files may not be transferred properly unless you upgrade to iCloud + to get more space.
Use iPhone Data Transfer
While iCloud syncs your music from PC to iPhone without iTunes, its limited cloud storage space and slow transfer speed come with drawbacks, especially if you have a huge music collection to transfer. In that case, using a highly functional data transfer tool may be the best solution.
Compatible with all Windows PCs, iPhone Data Transfer gives you instant access to your iOS device, enabling you to back up and transfer all kinds of music files from PC to iPhone without iTunes or vice versa, including your non-copyright songs, tracks, audio recordings, and more.
Since it features iTunes-like file management, it's capable of organizing the music files and removing the unwanted tracks on your device, as well as adding songs to your iPhone from PC without having to use iTunes. You'll love its one-click transfer of batch files and folders and the automatic conversion of incompatible music formats.
Seamless and lossless transfer between PC and iPhone
Auto detect and convert improper music formats during transferring
Support various file types, including photos, videos, music, contacts, messages and more
Available for latest versions of iOS, iPadOS
Support wide ranges of PCs: Acer, Lenovo, Dell, HP, Microsoft, Asus, Rezer, and others
Built-in Ringtone Maker
Add iTunes library or local music folder to iPhone without data erasing
Step 1: Install and run iPhone Data Transfer on your Windows PC.
The tool will recognize your iPhone and scan the existing music files after connection.
Step 2: Attach your iPhone to your PC via a USB cable. Your device needs to trust your computer before they can really communicate, so tap Trust and enter your screen passcode if it requires.
Step 3: Select Music tab from left side. From here all your iPhone music is listed and available for playback and management. You can use the top toolbar to locate duplicate songs, hover over them to view the detailed info, and sort them by name, file size, duration, and the date.
Manage all your iPhone music, including playlists, songs, iTunes U, podcasts, ringtones, audiobooks, voice memos, etc.
Step 4: Click on the + Add button, and select File(s) or Folder to choose the songs you wish to put on your iPhone. You own the options to move multiple tracks at the same time, or simply transfer an entire music album that holds all songs you want.
Add songs or music folder from PC to iPhone through + button at the top.
Once done, all your selected music gets transferred from computer to iPhone without going through iTunes. Head to your iPhone Music and enjoy the newly added songs with ease.
This efficient tool not only speeds up the process of music transfer to your iPhone, but it notifies you when you're trying to add songs that your iPhone already has. And no more worries about that iTunes fails or swipes out all existing music on your iPhone.
How to transfer songs from PC to iPhone without iTunes (Online music)
For the songs that you haven't saved on your computer or just enjoy in your music apps, there are still ways to transfer the music from your PC to your iPhone without iTunes easily.
If you prefer to enjoy music using a music app or streaming service, the easiest way to transfer music from your PC to iPhone not through iTunes is to sync within the app over internet.
For instance, with an Apple Music subscription, you can access millions of songs and playlists ad-free through the web and corresponding iPhone app. It's a paid service, but the good thing is that every song you buy on it is shared across your devices with the same Apple Music account, so you no longer need iTunes to transfer music from your PC to iPhone for offline listening.
1. Visit online Apple Music website on your PC browser.
2. From the top right corner, click on Sign in. It requires the Apple ID and password that you're using for Apple Music subscription.
3. Add songs to your Apple music library. You can check Listen Now or Browse in the sidebar to find the music you like, and add it to your music library by clicking on the Add + button next to each song or album, or hitting the three-dot icon > Add to Library.
4. On your iPhone, enable Sync Library by heading to Settings > Music. Wait for Apple Music to sync your whole music library to your iPhone. Make sure your device is using the same Apple ID.
5. Download added songs on your iPhone. Open the Music app; simply press and hold the song, album or playlist that you want, and tap on Download to save it on your iPhone; or tap on the three dots next to the song and select Download from the expanding list.
That's it. All your newly added music on PC will be synced to your iPhone automatically the next time you open the Apple Music app on your device.
WARNING:
Apple Music is not an option for music backup. Be careful when you want to remove your purchased music or make any changes to your playlists or albums.
For non-copyright music online
It's not possible to transfer online music from a PC to an iPhone without iTunes unless using a third-party service or making a purchase. However, it doesn't mean that you cannot record the non-purchased music online and get the music from your PC to iPhone without syncing in iTunes.
Actually, there are many functional audio recorders that can extract audio from online music services or videos. AppGeekerScreen Recorder is one of the most efficient audio recording applications, enabling you to capture any music on your PC in iOS-compatible audio formats. Here are the steps and how to transfer music from PC to iPhone without iTunes afterwards:
Tip: You can use it to record audio from YouTube videos, music apps, and other online sources. But make sure that the music you want to record is playable in full online.
1. Open the software on your Windows PC, and select Audio Recorder.
2. To get online music on your PC, turn on System Sound and mute Microphone.
3. Open the online music source you want to save on your iPhone, and let it play smoothly.
4. Hit the REC button when you're ready, and click on the Stop button when the music ends.
5. Preview the recorded music file, click Done to save it on your computer. It also allows you to trim the audio or apply some basic effects like Fade in and Fade out.
Then, you're able to use a file-transferring tool like AppGeeker iPhone Data Transfer we mentioned above and follow its intuitive interface to transfer the music file from your PC to an iPhone without iTunes in simple clicks.
How to save or remove the transferred music on iPhone
Local music files transferred via third-party software can be saved and managed directly on your iPhone through the Music Library or the app used for transfer. And the synced music from a streaming app or cloud service can be managed through the app itself, allowing for easy removal, sharing or download for offline playback.
Bonus: Video guide for music transfer from PC to iPhone without iTunes
FAQs
1. How to transfer music from my PC to my iPhone without syncing?
There are several methods you can use to transfer the music on your PC to iPhone without syncing:
Using cloud storage services like iCloud, Google Drive, or Dropbox.
Using third-party file-managing software like AppGeeker iPhone Data Transfer.
Using streaming apps like Spotify, Apple Music, or YouTube Music to download the music.
2. How do I manually add music to my iPhone?
You can manually add music to your iPhone by connecting it to your computer and use iTunes:
Open the iTunes window on PC and insert your iPhone.
Click on your phone icon, then select Summary under your device.
Scroll down to choose Manually manage music and videos in the Options section.
Click on Apply, and turn back to your iTunes music library.
Pick the songs you want to transfer, drag and drop them from the library section to your device icon, which is located on the left pane.
Check the synced music on your iPhone. They will be saved in your Music app.
In addition, uploading and downloading music via cloud storage is also a simple process to add music to your iPhone manually. Services like Apple's iCloud, Google Drive, and Dropbox provide free storage for file backup and sharing, allowing music files to be uploaded from one device and downloaded to another, so you can selectively add your music and save it to your iPhone.
