ThisCalculator

Everyday

Free Software to Transfer Music from iPhone to Computer

Updated · Standard formula, shown below

Free Software to Transfer Music from iPhone to Computer

You can transfer music from an iPhone to a Windows PC or Mac for free using built-in tools like File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac), plus Apple’s free iTunes app on Windows. These methods copy purchased music, synced songs, and even voice memos without needing third-party software, though DRM-protected tracks from Apple Music require an active subscription to play.

Why You Might Need to Transfer Music

People usually want to move music off an iPhone for one of three reasons: to free up storage space, to back up a personal library before switching devices, or to listen to songs on a computer without streaming. Apple’s ecosystem is designed to sync music to the iPhone, not necessarily from it, which is why many users assume they need paid software. In reality, the free methods cover most scenarios, especially if you have a Mac or a Windows PC with iTunes installed.

Built-in Free Methods: What Actually Works

On a Mac (Finder)

Since macOS Catalina (10.15) and later, Finder replaces iTunes for device management. Here’s how to copy music off an iPhone:

  1. Connect the iPhone to the Mac with a USB cable.
  2. Open Finder and select your iPhone under Locations in the sidebar.
  3. Click Music in the device window.
  4. Check Sync music onto [device name] if it isn’t already checked.
  5. Choose Entire music library or selected playlists/artists.
  6. Click Apply or Sync at the bottom right.

This copies the music from your Mac’s library to the iPhone, not the other way around. To get music off the iPhone, you need to use the File Transfer method described below, or rely on iCloud Music Library if enabled.

On Windows (File Explorer + iTunes)

Windows treats an iPhone like a digital camera when you connect it via USB. This is the simplest free route:

  1. Connect the iPhone to the PC with a USB cable.
  2. If prompted on the iPhone, tap Trust This Computer and enter your passcode.
  3. Open File Explorer (Windows 10/11) and look for the iPhone under This PC or Devices and drives.
  4. Double-click the iPhone icon, then open the Internal Storage folder.
  5. Navigate to DCIM – this holds photos, not music. For music, you need a different path: Internal Storage > iTunes_Control > Music.

However, the iTunes_Control folder is usually hidden and the files inside are renamed (e.g., F01, F02). You can copy them, but you’ll lose track names and artists. A better free approach on Windows is to use iTunes’ File > Devices > Transfer Purchases. This moves any music you bought from the iTunes Store to the PC’s iTunes library, keeping names intact.

How Transfer Purchases Works (Windows Only)

iTunes on Windows has a built-in command that pulls purchased music from an iPhone:

  1. Install iTunes from Apple’s website (not the Microsoft Store version, which lacks some features).
  2. Connect the iPhone and trust the computer.
  3. In iTunes, click the device icon near the top left.
  4. Go to File > Devices > Transfer Purchases from [iPhone name].
  5. Wait for the progress bar to finish. The songs appear in your iTunes library.

This only works for music you actually bought with your Apple ID. Songs from Apple Music (streaming) or ripped from CDs and synced from another computer won’t transfer this way.

What About Apple Music and DRM?

If you subscribe to Apple Music, the songs are DRM-protected and tied to your subscription. You can download them for offline listening on the iPhone, but they won’t play on a computer unless you have an active subscription and use the Apple Music app (macOS) or iTunes (Windows). There is no free way to strip that DRM legally. The only legitimate free option is to record the audio in real time, which is impractical and violates the service’s terms.

For music you ripped from CDs or downloaded from other sources (like Bandcamp or free downloads), those files are not DRM-protected. If they’re on your iPhone, you can email them to yourself or use a cloud service, but that’s tedious for a large library.

Free Third-Party Alternatives (With Caveats)

Several free apps claim to transfer music from iPhone to PC, but most are limited or ad-supported. The ones that work reliably without payment usually have a file size or song count cap. Examples include:

  • iMazing Free – allows a limited number of transfers per day (often 10–20 songs) without a license.
  • CopyTrans – free for up to 100 songs per day, but the free version is ad-supported.
  • AnyTrans – offers a free trial, but full functionality requires payment.

These tools work by reading the iPhone’s internal database and copying the actual audio files, preserving metadata. They are useful if you have a large library of non-purchased music and want to move it in bulk. However, you should always download them from official websites and be wary of bundled adware.

Common Problems and How to Fix Them

iPhone not showing up in File Explorer/Finder

  • Try a different USB cable (Apple-certified ones are more reliable).
  • Unlock the iPhone and keep it on the home screen during the connection.
  • On Windows, update the Apple Mobile Device USB driver via Device Manager.
  • On Mac, go to System Settings > General > Devices and remove the iPhone, then reconnect.

“Transfer Purchases� is greyed out

This means iTunes doesn’t detect any purchased music on the device, or the iPhone is not authorized with your Apple ID. Go to Account > Authorizations > Authorize This Computer, then try again.

Files in iTunes_Control are unreadable

That’s normal – Apple obfuscates the file names to prevent casual copying. Use the Transfer Purchases feature or a third-party tool instead of manually copying from that folder.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer music from iPhone to PC without iTunes?

Yes, but only for non-DRM files. You can use File Explorer to navigate to the iTunes_Control > Music folder and copy files, though they’ll have cryptic names. For a clean transfer with metadata, a free third-party tool like CopyTrans or iMazing Free is easier, but they have daily limits.

Why can’t I see my music in File Explorer?

Because iOS hides the music folder from normal USB browsing. The DCIM folder is for photos, and the music folder is intentionally obscured. You need to enable “Show hidden files� in Windows and navigate to Internal Storage > iTunes_Control, or use a dedicated transfer tool.

Does the free method work for songs from Apple Music?

No. Apple Music downloads are encrypted and tied to your subscription. You can only play them on an authorized device with an active subscription. There’s no free way to convert them to MP3 without violating the terms of service.

Will transferring music erase anything from my iPhone?

No, copying files from the iPhone to a computer is a read-only operation. It won’t delete any songs. However, if you use the Sync feature in Finder/iTunes, it can remove music from the iPhone if you uncheck items and apply the sync – so be careful with that specific action.

What’s the best free method for a large library?

If you bought the music from iTunes, use Transfer Purchases in iTunes on Windows – it’s unlimited and free. For non-purchased music, the most practical free approach is to re-rip from the original CDs or re-download from the original source, since the iPhone isn’t designed for bulk export of non-DRM files without third-party software.

Related

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.