Apple Music is now offering a new feature that simplifies the process of transferring music and playlists from Spotify, a move that could attract users seeking alternatives. This week, the tech giant unveiled a tool enabling users in Australia, New Zealand, and other regions to shift their curated content from leading digital music services, including Spotify.
The tool is compatible with the Apple Music app on iPhone, iPad, Android devices, and the web. It is currently available in Brazil, North America, France, Germany, Mexico, the UK, and both sides of the Tasman Sea. This development follows a successful beta test of the technology in Australia and New Zealand last year.
How the Transfer Tool Works
According to Apple, the transfer capabilities vary depending on the service and are facilitated through a third-party partnership with SongShift. “What you can transfer varies and is determined by the service,” reads an official statement from Apple. Some content may not be available or might not have an exact match in the Apple Music catalog.
This strategic rollout by Apple comes at a time when Spotify is facing criticism from the artist community. Recently, several artists, including King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard, Deerhoof, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, and David Bridie, have removed their music from Spotify in protest against CEO Daniel Ek’s investment in the military AI startup Helsing.
Apple’s Strategic Move
Apple’s introduction of the music transfer tool is seen as a calculated move to capitalize on Spotify’s current challenges. A message from Apple reads, “Dissatisfied with your music provider or want to try something new? SongShift transfers the music you love to the music provider you want.”
Apple’s influence in the tech industry is significant. In 2018, it became the first US public company to reach a market capitalization of $1 trillion. By 2020, it had doubled to $2 trillion, and in 2023, Apple surpassed the $3 trillion mark for the first time.
Apple Music vs. Spotify: The Numbers
While Apple does not disclose the exact number of paid subscribers to its streaming service, which launched in 2015, analysts estimate the global figure to be around 95 million. This is a substantial number, but it still lags behind Spotify, which boasts over 696 million users, including 276 million subscribers, across at least 180 markets.
Spotify’s user base: 696 million total users, 276 million subscribers
Apple Music’s estimated subscribers: 95 million
Looking Ahead
The introduction of the transfer tool could potentially shift the dynamics in the music streaming industry. As Apple continues to expand its services and capitalize on opportunities, the competition with Spotify is likely to intensify. The move represents Apple’s ongoing strategy to enhance its ecosystem and offer more integrated solutions to its users.
As the music streaming landscape evolves, it will be interesting to see how Spotify responds to this new challenge and whether Apple can increase its market share. For now, the new transfer tool offers users a convenient way to explore alternatives and potentially switch their music streaming allegiance.
