Yes, you can backup music from your iPhone to ensure you don’t lose your music library. There are a few different ways to backup iPhone music, depending on your needs.
Backing up with iTunes
One of the easiest ways to backup iPhone music is by using iTunes. iTunes will backup all of the music you have purchased or synced from your iTunes library to your iPhone. Here’s how to backup iPhone music using iTunes:
- Connect your iPhone to your computer using the included USB cable. Open iTunes if it doesn’t open automatically.
- Select your iPhone icon in iTunes. Go to the Summary tab.
- Check the box next to “Sync Music.” This will sync all of your iTunes music to your iPhone.
- Click Apply to start the sync. All of your iTunes music will be copied to your iPhone.
- To backup the music, go to the Summary tab and click “Back Up Now.” This will create a backup of your iPhone, including all synced music, to your computer.
The advantage of backing up with iTunes is that it’s simple and integrates with your iTunes music library. The disadvantage is that it only backs up music synced from iTunes, so any music purchased or downloaded directly on your iPhone will not be included.
Using iCloud
You can also backup your iPhone music using iCloud. iCloud will backup all music on your iPhone, including music purchased on the iPhone that wasn’t synced from iTunes. Here’s how to use iCloud to backup iPhone music:
- Make sure you’re signed in to iCloud on your iPhone. Go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud.
- Under Apps Using iCloud, turn on the switch for Music.
- Your entire iPhone music library will now backup to iCloud.
- To confirm the music is backing up, go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud > Manage Storage > Backups.
- You should see your music library listed in the backup contents.
The advantage of iCloud is that it backs up all iPhone music purchased directly on your phone. The disadvantage is you need an iCloud storage plan to backup a large music library.
Using third-party apps
There are also third-party apps you can use to backup iPhone music:
- iMazing: Backs up music to your computer, retains playlists and metadata.
- iExplorer: Allows backing up music to computer or external drives.
- imusic: Backs up music and playlists to the cloud.
- MusiSpace: Syncs iPhone music across devices and backs up online.
The advantage of third-party backup apps is they offer advanced features like retaining playlists. The disadvantage is you may have to pay for additional storage.
Backing up locally vs. the cloud
When backing up your iPhone music, you can save backups locally to your computer or backup to the cloud. Here’s a comparison:
| Local Backup | Cloud Backup |
|---|---|
|
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Backing up locally gives you full control and quality, while the cloud offers convenience. Consider your storage needs when choosing between local vs. cloud backup.
Backing up music on iPhone 11/iPhone 12
The process for backing up music is the same whether you have an iPhone 11, iPhone 12, or newer iPhone model. Simply follow the iTunes, iCloud, or third-party app procedures outlined above. A few things to note for newer iPhones:
- The latest versions of iOS and iTunes contain the same music backup features.
- iPhone 12 models support 5G, which enables faster cloud backups over cellular networks.
- iPhone 11/12 models have more base storage (64GB), enabling larger local music libraries.
So you can follow the same backup procedures, just taking advantage of faster speeds and more storage on newer iPhone models.
Transferring music from old iPhone to new iPhone
When you get a new iPhone, you’ll want to transfer all your music. There are a couple ways to do this:
- Restore from an iTunes or iCloud backup. This will transfer music along with your other data.
- Use the Apple Move to iOS app. This wirelessly transfers just your music, photos, etc. to your new iPhone.
- Sync the music manually. Connect your new phone, then sync iTunes music or redraw downloaded music.
To decide on a transfer method:
- Restore from backup if you want to clone your whole old iPhone.
- Use Move to iOS for selective transfer of just your music library.
- Manual sync if you only want to move some of your music.
Troubleshooting music backup issues
Some common issues that can occur when trying to backup iPhone music include:
- Slow or stalled backups – This can happen if you have a poor internet connection when backing up to the cloud. Try backing up over Ethernet or WiFi instead of cellular.
- Missing music – Make sure you have the “Sync Music” option turned on in iTunes. Also check cloud backups to see if your music is included.
- Music won’t restore – If music won’t restore to your iPhone, try deleting the app data and rerunning the backup. Also check for errors or corrupted backup files.
- No enough iCloud storage – You may need to upgrade your iCloud storage plan to back up a large music library.
Always check the backup logs for any error messages that indicate the cause of backup failures. Restarting your devices and apps can also help resolve issues.
Conclusion
Backing up iPhone music ensures you always have access to your music library and playlists, even if you lose or upgrade your phone. iTunes and iCloud offer the simplest backups. For maximum flexibility, consider a third-party backup app. Just be sure to backup your music regularly before issues arise.
With the right backup strategy, you can stop worrying about losing your music collection. Backups give you the freedom to upgrade iPhones, restore music after data loss, and sync your library across devices. Determine the optimal local vs cloud backup plan and implement it today.