How to Move Music from iPhone to Motorola

Moving your music library from an iPhone to a Motorola can feel like a chore, but it’s actually straightforward once you know the right path. This guide shows you several reliable methods—using a computer as a bridge, cloud services, or direct transfer apps—so you can keep your playlists and songs without losing anything. You’ll need your iPhone, your Motorola, and depending on the method, a PC or Mac, a USB cable, or a cloud storage account.

What You’ll Need

Your iPhone and Motorola phone, both charged.
A computer (Windows or Mac) for the most reliable method.
A USB cable for each phone (Lightning for iPhone, USB-C for most Motorolas).
Optional: A cloud storage account (Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive) or a third-party transfer app.

Step-by-Step

There are three main routes. Pick the one that fits your setup.

Method 1: Using a Computer (Most Reliable)

Connect your iPhone to the computer. Use the Lightning cable. If it’s a Windows PC, you may need to install iTunes from the Microsoft Store or Apple’s website.
Unlock your iPhone and trust the computer. A popup on the iPhone will ask “Trust This Computer?”—tap Trust and enter your passcode if prompted.
Open iTunes (Windows) or Finder (Mac). On macOS Catalina or later, open Finder; on older macOS or Windows, open iTunes.
Select your iPhone. Click the phone icon that appears in the top-left of iTunes or the sidebar of Finder.
Enable file sharing. In the left sidebar, click “File Sharing” (iTunes) or “Files” (Finder). You’ll see a list of apps that can share files. If you use the Apple Music app or have purchased music, those are handled differently—see the note below.
Copy music files to the computer. For songs you own as files (e.g., from CDs or downloads), find them in the app’s Documents folder. Drag them to a folder on your computer, like “Music Transfer.” If your music is in Apple Music (iTunes Match or purchased), you’ll need to authorize the computer and then download the files: In iTunes, go to “Songs” under Library, select all (Ctrl+A / Cmd+A), right-click and choose “Download.” Then find the files in your iTunes Media folder (usually Music/iTunes/iTunes Media/Music).
Disconnect iPhone and connect your Motorola. Plug the Motorola into the same computer using a USB-C cable.
Set the Motorola to file transfer mode. On the Motorola, swipe down from the top and tap the USB notification. Choose “File Transfer” or “Android Auto” (not “Charge only”).
Copy the music folder. On the computer, open the Motorola’s internal storage (it appears as a drive). Create a folder called “Music” if it doesn’t exist. Drag the music files you copied earlier into that folder.
Eject and disconnect. Right-click the Motorola drive and select “Eject” before unplugging. Your music should now appear in the Motorola’s default music player.

Method 2: Using Google Drive or OneDrive

Upload from iPhone. Install Google Drive or OneDrive on your iPhone. Open the app, sign in, and tap the “+” or “Upload” button. Select the music files from your iPhone’s Files app or from the music library if the app supports it (some apps only allow uploading from the Files app).
Wait for upload. Make sure you’re on Wi-Fi to avoid data charges. Large libraries can take a while.
Download on Motorola. Install the same cloud app on your Motorola, sign in, and navigate to the folder where you uploaded the music. Select the files and tap “Download” or “Make available offline.”
Save to Music folder. In the Motorola’s Files app, move the downloaded files from the cloud app’s folder to the “Music” folder in internal storage.

Method 3: Using a Third-Party Transfer App (e.g., Send Anywhere, ShareIt)

Install the same app on both phones. Choose a reputable app like Send Anywhere, ShareIt, or Xender. Install it from the App Store on iPhone and Google Play on Motorola.
Connect both phones to the same Wi-Fi network. This ensures faster transfer.
Send from iPhone. Open the app on the iPhone, select “Send,” then choose the music files you want to transfer. The app will generate a code or QR code.
Receive on Motorola. On the Motorola, open the same app, tap “Receive,” and enter the code or scan the QR code. Accept the transfer.
Save files. After the transfer, the app will ask where to save the files. Choose “Music” or “Downloads” and then move them to the Music folder using the Files app.

Common Mistakes

Not downloading purchased music first. If you only see grayed-out songs in iTunes, you haven’t downloaded them to the computer. Right-click and select “Download” before copying.
Using the wrong USB mode. If the Motorola doesn’t show up as a drive, it’s likely set to “Charge only.” Change it to “File Transfer.”
DRM-protected files. Songs purchased from iTunes before 2009 may have DRM that prevents copying. You’ll need to re-download them from iTunes or use a DRM-removal tool (not recommended).
Forgetting to eject. Always eject the phone before unplugging to avoid file corruption.
Overwriting existing music. When copying, make sure you don’t accidentally replace files with the same name. Use a new folder if unsure.

Tips

Keep a backup. Before moving, back up your iPhone music to iCloud or the computer. This way, you won’t lose anything if the transfer fails.
Use Wi-Fi for large libraries. If you have hundreds of songs, cloud transfer over Wi-Fi is faster than USB 2.0.
Check file formats. Motorola phones support MP3, AAC, FLAC, and more. If you have ALAC (Apple Lossless), convert to FLAC or MP3 for compatibility.
Organize with folders. Create subfolders like “Rock,” “Workout,” etc., to keep your library tidy.
Use a music player app. The default Motorola player is basic. Try apps like Poweramp or Pulsar for better organization and sound.

Troubleshooting

iPhone not showing up on computer. Try a different USB port or cable. Restart both the phone and computer. On Windows, make sure iTunes is updated. On Mac, check that “Show this iPhone when on Wi-Fi” is enabled in Finder.
Motorola not showing up as a drive. Unlock the phone and swipe down to change USB mode. If that doesn’t work, try a different cable (some cables are charge-only). On Windows, install the Motorola USB drivers from the manufacturer’s website.
Music files are missing after transfer. Check that the files are not in a subfolder that the music player doesn’t scan. Move them directly to the “Music” folder or use a player that scans all folders.
Transfer speed is very slow. Close other apps on both phones, and make sure you’re on a 5GHz Wi-Fi network if using cloud or wireless transfer.
DRM error when playing on Motorola. Re-download the song from iTunes (if still available) or use a DRM removal tool. Note that DRM removal may violate Apple’s terms.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I move music from iPhone to Motorola without a computer?

Yes, you can use cloud storage (Google Drive, OneDrive) or a third-party transfer app like Send Anywhere. Both require an internet connection, and cloud storage is easier for large libraries.

Will my Apple Music playlists transfer?

No, Apple Music playlists are tied to your Apple ID and DRM. You’ll need to recreate them on the Motorola. The actual music files, if purchased, can be downloaded and moved.

Does the Motorola support AAC files from iPhone?

Yes, most Motorola phones support AAC (m4a) files. If you have ALAC (Apple Lossless), you may need to convert to FLAC or MP3.

How long does the transfer take?

It depends on the method and file size. USB transfer is fastest (a few minutes for a few GB). Cloud upload/download can take longer, especially on slower connections.

Can I use Bluetooth to transfer music?

Yes, you can pair the phones and send files via Bluetooth, but it’s slow and unreliable for large libraries. It’s better for a few songs.

What if my music is in iCloud Music Library?

You’ll need to download the songs to your computer first (via iTunes/Finder) before copying them to the Motorola. Then follow Method 1.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

More in this bed

The whole Tech How-To bed →