The location of where Apple Music files are stored varies on different devices. Here, you’ll learn how to locate Apple Music download files on Mac, iPhone, iPad, Android, and Windows.
Where are Apple Music files stored on Mac?
By default, your Apple Music files are stored in Home/Music/ on a Mac computer. Go to the desktop of your Mac, and navigate Go > Home > Music to access your music files.
You can also locate your Music files through the Apple Music app. Inside the Apple Music app on your Mac, click Songs in the sidebar, which lets you do one of the following:
- Locate where a file is stored: Select the item, then choose Song > Info. The path to the file is shown at the bottom of the File pane (next to the location).
- Show the file in Finder: Select the item, then choose File > Show in Finder. If you don’t see Show in Finder, the file may be in your music library and not on your computer.
How to change Apple Music download location on Mac
To change where Apple Music files are stored, open the Music app on your Mac, navigate Music > Settings > Files. Click Change, then select a new location for your files.
Although songs you’ve already imported from Apple Music stay in their current location, new songs and other items you import will be stored in the new location from now on.
If you decide to change your mind and want to store Apple Music imported files in the default folder again, navigate Music > Settings > Files, then click Reset.
According to Apple, you can change where your music files are kept. However, it’s best not to change the location of the Music folder or the folders inside it for best results.
Where are Apple Music files stored on the iPhone?
On an iPhone, the Apple Music downloaded files are stored inside the “Apple Music” folder. You can find this particular folder in the Files app under the “On My iPhone” section.
Although you can locate them on an iPhone, the Apple Music files, however, are stored in an encrypted format that is only accessible through the Apple Music app.
Unless you use the Apple Music app, you can’t play these files. To access your downloaded songs within the Apple Music app itself, here’s what you should do:
- Open the Apple Music app on your iPhone.
- Go to the “Library” tab at the bottom of the screen.
- Select the “Downloaded” option.
This will show you all of the music that you’ve downloaded to your iPhone. You can tap on an album or playlist to see the individual songs, or play the songs directly from this screen.
Where are Apple Music files stored on iPad?
On an iPad, the Apple Music downloaded files are stored inside the “Apple Music” folder. You can find this particular folder in the Files app under the “On My iPad” section.
Although you can locate them on an iPad, the Apple Music files, however, are kept in an encrypted format that is only accessible through the Apple Music app.
Unless you use the Apple Music app, you can’t play these files. To access your downloaded songs within the Apple Music app itself, here’s what you should do:
- Open the Apple Music app on your iPad.
- Go to the “Library” tab at the bottom of the screen.
- Select the “Downloaded” option.
This will show you all of the music that you’ve downloaded to your iPad. You can tap on an album or playlist to see the individual songs, or play the songs directly from this screen.
Where are Apple Music files stored on Android?
To locate downloaded Apple Music files stored on an Android device, open the “File Manager” app on your phone, then tap on the “Internal Storage” option.
The downloaded Apple Music songs will be saved in this location of your Android phone: Internal Storage\Android\data\com.apple.android.music\files\Media
You can follow the file location to find your downloaded Apple Music songs on an Android device, which is much easier to do compared to other devices.
Alternatively, you can also check the folder of Internal Storage > Music. However, you can only find the local songs inside this particular Music folder.
How to change Apple Music download location on Android
Apple Music allows Android device users to change the download location by inserting a removable SD card. Here’s how to move the download location to an inserted SD card:
- Launch your Apple Music app.
- Navigate Menu > Settings > Download Location.
- You will be prompted to select the SD card.
- Tap on “Yes” to change the location.
By confirming, you will change the Apple Music download location to the SD card. The music currently stored on your Android device will be transferred to your SD card.
Where are Apple Music files stored on Windows PC?
By default, Apple Music files are stored in: C:\Users\[username]\Music\iTunes
To locate where Apple Music files are stored on a Windows PC, open “File Explorer” and then go to “C:\Users\[username]\Music\iTunes”. Here, you can view downloaded files and caches.
How to change Apple Music download location on Windows PC
To change the location of downloaded Apple Music files on a Windows PC, go to the iTunes menu, then navigate to Edit > Preferences > Advanced.
In the Advanced Preferences window, click “Change” then select a new location for your files. From now on, new songs and other items you import will be stored in the new location.
However, songs you’ve imported stay in their current location. If you want to move your current files to the new location, tap File > Library > Organise Library and select “Consolidate files”.
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