Apple Music offers one of the largest music streaming libraries in the world, with over 100 million songs available across smartphones, computers, tablets, and smart devices. But what happens when you lose your internet connection? Can you still enjoy your favorite playlists, albums, and downloaded tracks?
The good news is that Apple Music supports offline listening, allowing subscribers to download songs and play them without Wi-Fi or mobile data. Whether you're traveling on a plane, commuting through areas with poor signal, or simply trying to save cellular data, Apple Music offline playback can be incredibly useful.
In this guide, we'll explain how Apple Music offline mode works, how to download songs for offline listening on different devices, and how to keep your music accessible even after your subscription ends.
Part 1. Can You Listen to Apple Music Offline?
Yes, Apple Music allows subscribers to download music and listen offline without an active internet connection. Once a song, album, or playlist has been downloaded to your device, you can play it anytime, even when you're offline.
However, there are several important limitations:
- An active Apple Music subscription is required;
- Downloaded songs are protected by DRM (Digital Rights Management);
- Offline downloads remain tied to your Apple ID;
- If your subscription expires, downloaded tracks become unavailable;
- Downloaded files cannot be transferred to most MP3 players, USB drives, or other unsupported devices.
However, there is one important distinction many users overlook: Apple Music downloads are not the same as purchased songs from the iTunes Store.
Apple Music downloads are included as part of your subscription as mentioned, while purchased songs work differently. When you buy music from the iTunes Store, you own the downloaded files and can continue listening to them offline without maintaining an Apple Music subscription.
The table below highlights the key differences:
| Feature | Apple Music Downloads | Purchased Songs (iTunes Store) |
|---|---|---|
| Requires Apple Music Subscription | ✅ | ❌ |
| Offline Playback | ✅ | ✅ |
| Available After Subscription Ends | ❌ | ✅ |
| DRM Protection | ✅ | ❌ |
| Transfer to USB Drive | ❌ | ✅ |
| Play on Most MP3 Players | ❌ | ✅ |
| Ownership of Music Files | ❌ | ✅ |
| Up to 24-bit/192kHz | ✅ | ❌ (Maximum 256kbps AAC) |
Once you've purchased a song or album from the iTunes Store, you can download it to your device and access it from 'Music > Library > Downloaded > Songs'. Unlike subscription-based Apple Music downloads, purchased tracks remain available for offline playback without requiring an active Apple Music subscription.
If you want DRM-free offline playback of Apple Music songs with high audio quality and a lower long-term cost, you can use AudFree Apple Music Converter. A detailed step-by-step guide is provided in Part 3.
Does Apple Music Use Data When Playing Offline?
The short answer is no - playing fully downloaded tracks will not consume your mobile data.
However, even when playing local files, the Apple Music app may still access the internet for background activities such as:
- Syncing your library and updating cloud playlists
- Updating album artwork and fetching dynamic lyrics
- Refreshing recommendations in your personal feeds
- Verifying your subscription status (the regular DRM token check)
To guarantee a completely data-free experience, ensure your favorite albums are 100% downloaded before leaving Wi-Fi. If you want to avoid any background data usage, you can temporarily enable Airplane Mode or disable cellular access entirely by going to your phone's Settings > Music and toggling off Cellular Data.
See also: Apple Music Airplane Mode
Part 2. How to Listen to Apple Music Offline with an Active Subscription
The official Apple Music offline mode is available on iPhone, Android, Mac, and Windows. Once you've added music to your library, downloading it for offline playback only takes a few moments.
Listen to Apple Music Offline on iPhone/Android
Step 1. Launch the Apple Music app on your mobile phone, and then find the song, album, or playlist you'd like to download.
Step 2. Tap the 'More' button (just displayed as '…') to the right of the music and choose 'Add to Library' or 'Add to Playlist' from the pop-up menu.
Step 3. Go to the 'Library' section from the bottom, and tap 'Songs' or 'Playlists'.
Step 4. Touch and hold on to the songs or playlists you want to download and choose the 'Download' option to download from Apple Music. Or, tap on the 'More' menu next to each track and select 'Download'.
Step 5. Once completed, you can play Apple Music offline by going back to the 'Library' section of the app and selecting 'Downloaded'. If you download the whole playlist, it will be put in the 'Playlist' section. Single songs are put in the 'Songs' section.
Listen to Music Offline on Mac/Windows Apple Music App
Step 1. Open the Apple Music app on your Mac/Windows computer and log in to your account with your Apple ID and password.
Step 2. Browse and search for the songs or albums you want to download and click the '+' to add them to your library or click the More button to add them to your playlist.
Step 3. Find the added songs or albums under 'Library' and click the Download arrow next to them. You can also right-click the playlist and click 'Download' to save the whole playlist.
After downloading, you can enjoy your music without internet access.
Common Reasons Apple Music Offline Playback Stops Working and Fixes
Sometimes, tracks you have completely downloaded will suddenly refuse to play, display an error message, or appear greyed out. When offline playback fails, it is usually happens because of one of the following reasons:
- Apple Music Subscription Expired: If your billing method fails or your plan lapses, your offline digital rights management (DRM) tokens instantly expire.
- Sync Library Disabled: The cloud handshake between your device and Apple's servers has decoupled.
- Corrupted Downloads: The initial download was interrupted by a fluctuating Wi-Fi connection, leaving behind a broken audio container.
- Device Storage Issues: Your device has less than 1-2 GB of free space, causing the operating system to freeze media playback caches.
- Apple ID Verification Failures: The device has gone too long without a security check-in, forcing Apple to pause offline playback permissions.
- Licensing Changes: The artist or label has pulled that specific track or album version from Apple's global catalog.
If your Apple Music offline downloads start acting up, the quickest fix is to reconnect to the internet and redownload the affected tracks to clear out any background glitches. If the quick fix doesn't solve the issue, work through these proven troubleshooting steps:
✅ Verify Your Account Status: Apple Music requires a continuous, active subscription to validate offline licenses. Open the App Store or your Apple ID settings, tap Subscriptions, and ensure your Apple Music account is listed as active.
✅ Refresh the Sync Library Toggle: Forcing your device to re-index your cloud database resolves the vast majority of greyed-out track errors.
• On iPhone/Android: Go to Settings > Music (or App Settings inside the Android Apple Music app) and toggle Sync Library off. Wait 30 seconds, toggle it back on, and allow your library to resynchronize.
• On Desktop (Mac/Windows): Open the Music app (or iTunes on older Windows configurations), navigate to Preferences/Settings > General, uncheck Sync Library, hit apply, and then re-check it to force a fresh server ping.
✅ Check for Interrupted or Corrupted Downloads: If a song gets stuck halfway through playback or skips to the next track automatically, the file itself is likely corrupted. Delete the song from your device entirely by long-pressing it and selecting Remove Download. Reconnect to a stable Wi-Fi network and tap the download arrow again to pull down a clean, uncorrupted version of the audio file.
✅ Optimize Device Storage and Clear Caches: When local storage is packed to capacity, the system cannot create the temporary data buffers required to play music.
• On iOS: Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage > Music and review your downloaded files. You can turn on Optimize Storage to let iOS automatically remove downloaded songs you haven't played in a while.
• On Android: Go to Settings > Apps > Apple Music > Storage and tap Clear Cache. This flushes out clogged system data without wiping your actual downloaded songs.
✅ Update Your App and Device Firmware: Outdated software often suffers from security protocol mismatches that block DRM validation. Ensure your Apple Music app is fully updated via the App Store or Google Play Store, and confirm that your device is running the latest available operating system patch to resolve known native playback bugs.
If you have tried all of the native troubleshooting steps above and your offline files continue to glitch, it may be time to reach out to Apple Customer Support. Alternatively, you can sidestep these rigid app requirements entirely by using AudFree Apple Music Converter (next part) to convert your catalog into permanent, error-free local files that never require server authentication.
Part 3. How to Listen to Apple Music Offline Without a Subscription
As mentioned earlier, Apple's official offline mode is convenient for active subscribers, but it comes with a major limitation: the moment your monthly membership lapses, your entire downloaded library vanishes due to FairPlay DRM restrictions. While purchasing tracks individually from the iTunes Store grants you genuine ownership, it is a highly expensive strategy. At $0.69 to $1.29 per single track, building a library of just a few hundred songs can easily run you hundreds of dollars.
If you want to save your budget and enjoy true offline playback on your local devices without a recurring monthly fee, a cost-effective dedicated Apple Music downloader can help.
AudFree Apple Music Downloader is engineered specifically to solve this exact pain point. Operating as a high-precision audio extraction utility, it strips the DRM encryption from Apple Music files and converts them into standard, unprotected formats at up to 17x speeds. Unlike web scrapers that downgrade your files, AudFree retains the absolute original audio fidelity, supporting studio-grade bitrates up to 24-bit/192kHz.
Once downloaded, these Apple Music songs will be permanently retained unless you delete them manually.
AudFree Apple Music Converter
- Download entire Apple Music playlists and albums in batches
- Convert Apple Music to MP3, FLAC, WAV, AIFF, M4A, and more
- Keep 100% original quality and ID3 tags
- Save music for playback on virtually any device
- Work on both Windows and Mac computers
To break free from the subscription lock, download and install the software on your desktop, then follow these instructions to archive your music library permanently and listen to apple music offline across all your devices.
- Step 1. Import Apple Music Downloads to AudFree Apple Music Converter
- Launch the AudFree Apple Music Converter and sign in to your Apple Music account through the built-in web player. Then browse your library and locate the songs, albums, or playlists you want to download. Click the 'Add' button (or the '+ ♫' icon) to import them into the conversion list.
- Step 2. Set Apple Music Output Parameters for Offline Playback
- Click the 'Menu' icon in the upper-right corner and select 'Preferences' to define Apple Music output format as needs. Currently, it supports MP3, FLAC, WAV, AIFF, Lossless, M4A, and M4B. Here, you can also adjust some advanced output audio preferences, like the audio channel, bit rate, and sample rate. If desired, customize the output folder and enable ID3 tag preservation to keep song information organized under the 'Output' tab.
- Step 3. Download Apple Music for Offline Listening
- After configuring the settings, click the 'Convert' button at the bottom-right corner of the 'Converting' interface. AudFree will begin downloading and converting your selected Apple Music tracks into local audio files. Once the process is complete, the files will be saved to your chosen output folder.
- You can then transfer them to any compatible device and listen offline without relying on an Apple Music subscription, internet connection, or the Apple Music app.
Apple Music Official Downloads vs Permanent Offline Files
| Feature | Apple Music Download | Converted Local Files |
|---|---|---|
| Active Subscription Required | ✅ | ❌ (Only required during initial conversion) |
| Offline Playback | ✅ | ✅ |
| Keep Music Permanently | ❌ | ✅ |
| Accessible After Subscription Ends | ❌ | ✅ |
| Play on MP3 Players | ❌ | ✅ |
| Store on External Drives | ❌ | ✅ |
| Transfer to USB Drive | ❌ | ✅ |
| Support 24-bit/192kHz Downloads? | ✅ | ✅ |
| Output Format | M4P (Protected) | MP3, FLAC, WAV, AIFF, and more |
| Download & Library Caps | ✅ (Limited to 100,000 songs on 10 devices) | ❌ (Unlimited, bound only by storage size) |
As you can see, Apple Music's official downloads are designed primarily for temporary offline access during an active subscription. If your goal is to build a long-term offline music library that works across multiple devices and platforms, saving songs as local audio files provides significantly more flexibility.
Need an offline solution that handles more than just Apple Music? AudFree Streaming Audio Recorder is the perfect companion tool. It lets you seamlessly record and save music from Spotify, Tidal, SoundCloud, and up to 10 different streaming platforms, making it easier than ever to enjoy your favorite tracks completely offline.
Part 4. FAQs about Apple Music Offline
Can I Listen to Apple Music Offline Without a Subscription?
No. Apple's official offline download feature requires an active Apple Music subscription. Once your subscription ends, downloaded songs become inaccessible. To keep music permanently, you'll need to either purchase it or save it as local audio files via AudFree before canceling your subscription.
How Long Do Official Apple Music Offline Downloads Last?
Downloaded songs remain available as long as your Apple Music subscription stays active and Apple continues to offer the content in its catalog. However, there are two crucial rules that determine their actual expiration date:
• The 30-Day Check-In Rule: Apple Music requires your device to ping its servers at least once every 30 days. This allows the app to verify your billing status and refresh your DRM playback tokens. If your device stays completely offline for more than a month (e.g., an offline iPad kept in a drawer), the tracks will lock and become unplayable until you reconnect to Wi-Fi.
• Licensing and Catalog Changes: If an artist, producer, or record label pulls the rights to a specific song or album from Apple Music's global catalog, it will automatically be wiped from your offline storage the next time your app syncs with the cloud.
Where Are Apple Music Offline Files Stored?
Downloaded Apple Music files are stored within Apple's protected storage system. If you download music using the official desktop apps, the files are buried deep within your system directories:
• On macOS: ~/Music/Music/Media.localized/Apple Music
• On Windows: C:\Users\[Your Username]\Music\iTunes\iTunes Media\Apple Music
• On iOS & Android: Files are stored within hidden, sandbox-protected system folders that cannot be accessed without rooting or jailbreaking the device.
Can I Listen to Apple Music Offline on Apple Watch?
Yes, you can. Apple has made it possible for users to listen to their favorite tunes on their Apple Watch without the need for an iPhone. Please follow our detailed steps below on how to download and listen to Apple Music on your Apple Watch offline.
Step 1. Make sure your Apple Watch is connected to Wi-Fi and has at least 50% battery life.
Step 2. Open the Music app on your Apple Watch.
Step 3. Scroll down and tap on 'Library' and choose the 'Playlists' or 'Songs' catalog under it.
Step 4. Hold on to the playlist, album, or song you want to download and swipe to the left.
Step 5. Click on the 'three dots' icon next to the item and select 'Download' from the pop-up list. You can then enjoy your favorite Apple Music content offline by opening the Music app on your Apple Watch.
Conclusion
Apple Music makes offline listening easy for active subscribers. By downloading songs through the official app, you can enjoy your favorite music without relying on Wi-Fi or mobile data on iPhone, Android, Mac, and Windows devices.
However, official downloads are subject to subscription and DRM restrictions. If you're looking for a long-term solution that allows you to keep your music forever, transfer it to any device, and enjoy unrestricted offline playback, converting Apple Music tracks into local audio files (via AudFree) provides much greater flexibility.
Ultimately, the best way to listen to Apple Music offline depends entirely on your personal needs. Hopefully, this guide has helped you find the perfect strategy to keep your music playing anywhere, anytime.
Staff Editor
