How to Buy and Download Music from iTunes Store (2026 Guide)

TL;DR Comparison Table: iTunes Store Purchase vs. Apple Music Subscription vs. AudFree Local Music Library

Before getting started, here's a quick overview of the three most common ways to access your Apple Music library.

If your goal is to own individual songs, the iTunes Store is still the official option. If you prefer unlimited streaming with daily hits and lossless quality, Apple Music offers access to a massive catalog for a monthly fee. If you already subscribe to Apple Music but want to keep your songs as local files without buying them individually, a tool like AudFree Apple Music Converter offers an alternative.

Part 1. Can You Buy Music from Apple Music or iTunes Store? Here's the Difference

One of the biggest misconceptions today is that Apple Music replaced the iTunes Store. In reality, the two services serve different purposes and continue to coexist.

Understanding how they differ will help you choose the right option for your listening habits.

Can You Still Buy Songs on iTunes Store?

Yes. Apple still allows users to purchase individual songs and albums through the iTunes Store, whether on a Mac or Windows computer.

While the classic iTunes application has gradually been replaced by separate Apple apps on newer systems, the iTunes Store itself remains available. Depending on your device, you can access it through:

• iPhone and iPad: the built-in iTunes Store app.
• Mac: the Apple Music app, which includes access to the iTunes Store for music purchases.
• Windows: the Apple Music app or iTunes, depending on your system configuration and Apple's latest software support.

Once purchased, songs are added to your Apple account and can usually be downloaded again later using the same Apple ID. Unlike subscription-based streaming, purchased songs don't require an active Apple Music membership or the app to play.

Can You Buy Songs Through Apple Music?

Yes, but it depends on what you mean by Apple Music.

The Apple Music subscription service is designed for streaming. It gives you access to millions of songs through a monthly subscription, but it does not allow you to purchase individual songs or albums. Any music downloaded from Apple Music remains tied to your active subscription and cannot be played after you cancel.

However, the Apple Music app on Mac or Windows includes access to the iTunes Store, where you can purchase individual songs and albums. Besides, after buying music from the iTunes Store, your purchases appear in your Apple Music library and can be downloaded for permanent offline listening.

In short:

• iTunes Store = buy songs and albums that you own.
• Apple Music subscription = stream millions of songs with a monthly plan with DRM protection.
• Apple Music app = the player/library app that can purchase songs and access these purchased songs from iTunes.

Part 2. How to Buy and Download Music from iTunes Store on Mac/Windows/iPhone/iPad

As mentioned above, if you are an Apple Music subscriber, you can stream and download music directly without purchasing it. But these downloads are temporary and tied to your subscription. If you want permanent copies of your favorite songs, purchasing them through the iTunes Store is a reliable way to go. While the exact steps depend on your device, the process is straightforward. Below are the official methods for each platform.

Method 1. Buy Music on iTunes for Mac

Modern versions of macOS (Catalina) no longer include the classic iTunes application. Instead, music purchases are handled through the Apple Music app.

Step 1. Launch the Apple Music app and select the Music > Preferences section from the menu bar above. Then navigate to the General menu to select iTunes Store.

Step 2. Tap the search bar and enter the name of the song or artist you want to purchase. Then tap the iTunes Store button in the top right navigation bar.

Step 3. Click on the price button next to the iTunes song to make the purchase.

Step 4.Confirm your purchase using your Apple ID credentials. After purchasing, click the Download icon to save the music to your Mac for offline listening.

The purchased songs will also be available in your library on other devices signed in with the same Apple ID.

Method 2. Purchase Music on iTunes for Windows

Windows users can still purchase music through Apple's desktop ecosystem, although the exact application may vary depending on the software installed on the computer.

If you're using Apple's latest apps, open the Apple Music app. On systems that still use iTunes for Windows, the purchasing process is similar.

Step 1. Open Apple Music or iTunes and sign in using your Apple ID.

Step 2. Select Music from the pop-up menu, then hit on the iTunes Store section in the navigation bar.

Step 3. Browse and find the iTunes song or album you're interested in, then click on Price next to it.

Step 4. Now you'll get a pop-up window to sign in with your Apple ID and password to confirm the purchase of iTunes music.

Step 5. After the transaction is complete, you will see the purchased iTunes song in your music library.

Method 3. Buy Songs from iTunes for iOS Devices (iPhone/iPad)

The easiest way to purchase music on a mobile device is through the iTunes Store app, which comes preinstalled on most iPhones and iPads.

Step 1. Open the iTunes Store app and tap the Music section at the bottom of the screen. You can browse by genre, featured releases, charts, or use the search bar to find a specific song, artist, or album.

Step 2. Find the iTunes song you want to purchase and tap on the displayed price next to the song. The purchase will be charged using your selected Apple payment method.

Step 3. After the purchase is complete, the music is automatically added to your library. If it doesn't begin downloading immediately, simply tap the Download button beside the purchased item.

Can You Buy Music from the iTunes Store on Android?

Unfortunately, no. Apple has never released an iTunes Store app for Android, so you can't directly purchase music from an Android phone or tablet.

However, you still have several options:

• Buy music using an iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Windows PC with your Apple ID. After that, download your purchased Apple Music songs on Android Apple Music app through compatible cloud services (iCloud) after syncing them.
• Download your purchased songs to a computer, then transfer the music to your Android device using a USB cable or file transfer app.

While this isn't as convenient as buying directly on Android, it's still possible to enjoy your purchased iTunes music on Android devices after transferring the files.

How to Redownload Previously Purchased Music on iTunes Store

One advantage of purchasing music from the iTunes Store is that your purchases are linked to your Apple ID. If you accidentally delete a song, you can usually download it again without paying twice. You can download them:

On PC/Mac

Step 1. Launch iTunes on your Mac or Windows computer and log in your Apple ID.

Step 2. Select the "Account" > "Purchased" section in the menu bar at the top of the screen, and then tap the "Music" tab in the upper right corner.

Step 3. Select "All" and tap "Albums" or "Songs" option. After that, hit on the "Download All" icon to download all purchased iTunes songs, albums and music to your computer.

On iOS Devices

Step 1. Launch the iTunes Store app on your iOS device and touch the "More" and "Purchased" icons at the bottom of the screen.

Step 2. Tap on the "Music" section to select the iTunes content you want to download. Once you've identified a song or album, you can simply tap the download icon next to it.

Part 3. What Are the Limitations of Buying Songs from iTunes Store?

Buying music from the iTunes Store offers true ownership of individual songs and albums, but it isn't necessarily the ideal solution for every listener. Before building a large music collection, it's worth understanding some of the limitations that lead many users to explore other options.

1. Buying Many Songs Can Become Expensive

Unlike Apple Music, where a single monthly subscription gives you access to millions of tracks, the iTunes Store charges for each song or album individually. Buying a few favorite songs is affordable, but purchasing an entire music library can quickly add up.

For example, if each song costs around $0.99-$1.29, buying dozens or even hundreds of tracks may eventually cost far more than several months of an Apple Music subscription.

2. Not Every Apple Music Song Is Available for Purchase

Apple Music's streaming catalog is much larger than the iTunes Store's purchase catalog.

Some exclusive releases, live performances, Dolby Atmos versions, karaoke tracks, and certain regional content may only be available through Apple Music streaming and cannot be purchased individually. If a song isn't sold in the iTunes Store, buying it simply isn't an option.

3. Purchased Music Uses AAC Format

Most songs purchased from the iTunes Store are downloaded as 256 kbps AAC files. While AAC offers excellent sound quality and broad compatibility, some users may prefer other formats such as FLAC, WAV, or ALAC for professional editing, archival purposes, or playback on specific devices.

Converting purchased AAC files to another format may result in some quality loss unless done carefully.

4. It Can Be Time-Consuming to Build a Large Library

Buying music one album or one song at a time works well if you only want a handful of favorites. However, recreating a large streaming library through individual purchases can take considerable time and money.

For users who already subscribe to Apple Music and simply want to keep certain songs for offline use or transfer them to other devices, purchasing every track again from the iTunes Store may not be the most practical approach. In the next section, we'll explore an alternative way to save your Apple Music library as local files without buying each song individually.

Part 4. How to Save Apple Music as Local Files Without Buying from iTunes Store

While buying songs on iTunes Store is the official way to own songs permanently, it may not be the most practical choice for everyone. Many Apple Music subscribers already have thousands of songs, playlists, and albums saved in their libraries. Purchasing every track again from the iTunes Store can quickly become expensive and time-consuming.

For users who want to keep their Apple Music songs as local files, play them on more devices, or create a personal music backup, a dedicated Apple Music converter can be a more flexible solution.

If you already subscribe to Apple Music and want to enjoy your music more freely across different devices, AudFree Apple Music Converter provides a convenient alternative to keep Apple Music songs without purchasing them individually from the iTunes Store.

It is designed to convert Apple Music tracks, albums, and playlists into widely supported audio formats while preserving the original listening experience as much as possible.

How to Download Apple Music Library to Local Files via AudFree

Step 1. Add Apple Music to AudFree Apple Music Converter

Download, install, and launch AudFree Apple Music Converter on your PC or Mac. Ensure your Apple Music library is synced with your computer. Click the "+" (Add Audio) button at the bottom-right of the AudFree interface to load the Apple Music songs you wish to download or buy from iTunes Store.

Step 2. Customize Apple Music Song Output Settings

When songs from Apple Music are fully imported into the conversion list of AudFree Apple Music Converter, please click the "AudFree Apple Music Converter" option > "Preferences" to set the output parameters. Here, you can define the output format as MP3, WAV, FLAC, etc. As for other advancedaudio parameters, like bit rate, sample rate, audio channels, please make the relevant settings according to your needs.

If you're unsure which settings to choose, the default configuration provides an excellent balance between sound quality and file size.

See also:

How to Download Apple Music to WAV

How to Convert Apple Music to FLAC

Step 3. Download Apple Music to Local File Locally

Click "Convert" to begin processing your selected songs. After the conversion finishes, click the History/Converted icon to open the output folder. You'll now have standard local audio files that can be played on compatible devices without relying on the Apple Music app for playback.

Step 4. Transfer Music to Android Phones/Tablets/iPhone/iPad

If you want to listen to your local songs with your mobile devices. Take a Android device as an example, simply connect your Android phone to your computer with a USB cable. Or, you can use cloud storage services such as Google Drive or Dropbox. Then move the music files into your preferred Music folder and enjoy your music. Most Android music players will automatically detect MP3, WAV, and FLAC files stored locally.

iTunes Store Purchase vs Apple Music Conversion: Which Method Is Better?

Both options have their own advantages, depending on what you need.

If you only need a few albums or songs, purchasing songs from the iTunes Store is simple and reliable.

However, if you already have a large Apple Music library and want more control over your music files, converting Apple Music songs into local files can save both time and money.

Part 5. FAQs About Buying and Downloading Music from iTunes Store/Apple Music

Conclusion

Although streaming has become the primary way people enjoy music, buying songs from the iTunes Store is still a great choice if you want to build a permanent music collection. Purchased tracks remain available without an Apple Music subscription and can be downloaded again using the same Apple ID when needed.

At the same time, Apple Music offers an excellent streaming experience for discovering new artists, albums, and playlists. If you prefer greater flexibility for personal offline playback across multiple devices, creating a local music library may better suit your needs.

Whether you choose to purchase songs from the iTunes Store or enjoy Apple Music through a subscription, understanding the differences between ownership and streaming will help you select the option that best fits your listening habits.