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10 Tech How-To

Move Music from iPhone to ZTE: Step-by-Step Guide

Guide 10-8007 · Updated · Step by step

Moving your music library from an iPhone to a ZTE Android phone can feel daunting because Apple doesn’t make it easy to transfer files directly. This guide walks you through several reliable methods—using a computer, cloud services, or a direct app—so you can keep your songs without losing quality or paying for extras. You’ll need your iPhone, your ZTE phone, a computer (for some methods), and a USB cable or Wi-Fi connection.

What You’ll Need

  • Your iPhone with the music you want to transfer
  • Your ZTE Android phone
  • A computer (Windows or Mac) with internet access for most methods
  • A USB cable for your ZTE phone (and possibly your iPhone)
  • Apple ID and password (to authorize computer access to your music)
  • Optional: A cloud storage service (Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox) or a file transfer app (Send Anywhere, Xender)

Step-by-Step

Choose the method that fits your setup. The computer method is most reliable, but cloud transfers work well if you have a strong Wi-Fi connection.

Method 1: Using a Computer (Windows or Mac)

  1. Install the latest version of iTunes on your computer (if you’re on Windows) or use the Music app (if you’re on macOS Catalina or later). Open the app and sign in with your Apple ID.
  2. Connect your iPhone to the computer using its USB cable. If prompted on the iPhone, tap “Trust This Computer” and enter your passcode.
  3. In iTunes/Music, select your iPhone icon (top-left corner in iTunes, or the device button in the Music app).
  4. Enable music syncing: In the sidebar, click “Music” and check “Sync Music.” You can choose to sync your entire library or selected playlists, artists, albums, and genres.
  5. Click “Apply” or “Sync” to copy the music to the computer’s library. This may take a few minutes depending on your library size.
  6. Disconnect your iPhone and connect your ZTE phone to the computer via its USB cable.
  7. On your ZTE, pull down the notification bar and tap the USB connection notification. Choose “File Transfer” or “MTP” mode (not “Charge only”).
  8. Open the computer’s file explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac). Your ZTE phone should appear as a portable device.
  9. Navigate to the Music folder on your ZTE (usually /Music or /Internal Storage/Music). You can also create a new folder named “Music” if it doesn’t exist.
  10. Copy the music files from the computer’s iTunes/Music library folder to the ZTE’s Music folder. On Windows, the default location is C:\Users\[YourUsername]\Music\iTunes\iTunes Media\Music. On Mac, it’s ~/Music/Music/Media/Music. You can also drag and drop directly from the iTunes window.
  11. Eject your ZTE safely (right-click the device in File Explorer and choose “Eject”) and disconnect. Your music should now appear in the ZTE’s music player app.

Method 2: Using Cloud Storage

  1. Choose a cloud service that you can access on both iPhone and ZTE, such as Google Drive, OneDrive, or Dropbox. Install the app on both phones if needed.
  2. On your iPhone, open the cloud app and sign in. Tap the “+” or “Upload” button and select the music files you want to transfer. You may need to locate your music in the “On My iPhone” section (via the Files app) if it’s not already in the cloud app’s folder.
  3. Wait for the upload to complete—this can take time for large libraries. Make sure you’re on Wi-Fi to avoid data charges.
  4. On your ZTE, open the same cloud app and sign in to the same account.
  5. Download the uploaded music files to your ZTE. You can save them directly to the Music folder or download them to the default Downloads folder and then move them using a file manager app.

Method 3: Using a File Transfer App (Wi-Fi Direct)

  1. Install a file transfer app on both phones, such as Send Anywhere, Xender, or SHAREit. These apps are available on both iOS and Android.
  2. Open the app on both phones and ensure both are connected to the same Wi-Fi network (or use the app’s hotspot feature if no router is available).
  3. On your iPhone, select the music files you want to send. You may need to grant the app permission to access your music library.
  4. Choose the receiving device (your ZTE) from the list of nearby devices shown in the app.
  5. Accept the transfer on your ZTE. The files will be received and saved to the app’s default folder (usually /Download or /Receive). You can then move them to the Music folder using a file manager.

Common Mistakes

  • Not enabling “File Transfer” mode on the ZTE—if you leave it in “Charge only,” the computer won’t see the phone’s storage.
  • Forgetting to authorize the computer—iTunes/Music may not show your music if you haven’t authorized the computer with your Apple ID.
  • Copying only the .m4p files—if you purchased music from iTunes before 2009, it may be DRM-protected and won’t play on Android. You’ll need to re-download or convert those tracks.
  • Dragging music directly from iPhone to ZTE in File Explorer—this often fails because the iPhone’s file system is not accessible in the same way as a USB drive.
  • Using the wrong folder on the ZTE—if you put music in a random folder, the music player may not find it. Stick to the Music folder or one you create and set as the music library.

Tips

  • Check file formats—ZTE phones play MP3, AAC, FLAC, and WAV, among others. If you have Apple Lossless (ALAC) files, they may not play natively; convert them to FLAC or MP3 using a free converter.
  • Organize your music—before transferring, create playlists or folders on your computer to keep things tidy. This will make it easier to copy only what you want.
  • Use a USB 3.0 cable for faster transfer speeds if your computer and ZTE support it.
  • Back up your music—before deleting anything from your iPhone, make sure the transfer is complete and the files play correctly on your ZTE.
  • Consider a dedicated music app—if you have a huge library, apps like VLC or Poweramp on the ZTE handle large folders better than the default player.

Troubleshooting

  • Computer doesn’t recognize the ZTE: Try a different USB port or cable. Make sure the ZTE is unlocked and the USB mode is set to “File Transfer.” On some ZTE models, you may need to enable “Developer options” and turn on “USB debugging” (though this is not normally required for file transfer).
  • Music files won’t play on the ZTE: Check the file format. If they’re DRM-protected (from iTunes), you’ll see an error. Convert them to MP3 using a free converter on your computer. Also, ensure the files aren’t corrupted by testing them on a computer first.
  • Cloud upload is stuck: Pause and resume the upload, or switch to a different network. If the file is very large, try compressing it into a ZIP file first.
  • Transfer app can’t find the other phone: Make sure both phones are on the same Wi-Fi network. If using a hotspot, ensure the hotspot is stable. Try turning off mobile data on both phones temporarily.
  • Music appears but is missing album art or metadata: This is common when files are transferred without proper tagging. Use a tag editor (like MP3Tag) on your computer to fix metadata before transferring.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer music from iPhone to ZTE without a computer?

Yes, you can use cloud storage (Google Drive, OneDrive) or a Wi-Fi direct transfer app (Send Anywhere, Xender). Both require a stable internet connection or local Wi-Fi, and the apps are free.

Will my iTunes purchases transfer to the ZTE?

Yes, but only if they are not DRM-protected. Most music purchased from iTunes after 2009 is DRM-free (iTunes Plus) and will transfer as AAC files. Older purchases may be protected and won’t play on Android.

Do I need to jailbreak my iPhone to transfer music?

No, none of the methods in this guide require jailbreaking. You only need to use a computer, cloud, or a transfer app.

What is the fastest way to transfer a large music library?

Using a computer with a USB cable is the fastest, especially if you have a large library. It avoids Wi-Fi speed limitations and cloud upload delays.

Can I transfer playlists instead of individual songs?

Yes, when using the computer method, you can sync specific playlists from iTunes/Music to your computer, then copy those files to your ZTE. However, the playlist structure itself won’t transfer—you’ll need to recreate playlists on the ZTE using its music player app.

Will the music quality be reduced during transfer?

No, the files are copied bit-for-bit, so the audio quality remains exactly the same. Just ensure you’re not converting to a lossy format unless you choose to.

Related

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

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