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BrantleyFrost's avatar
BrantleyFrost
Iron Contributor
Jan 05, 2026

The best apple music downloader software for Windows 11/10?

I'm trying to get my Apple Music library downloaded for offline listening on my Windows PC, but I'm hitting a wall. The official app doesn't let you save the files locally, and Googling just brings u...
Porterwer's avatar
Porterwer
Iron Contributor
Jan 05, 2026

Why "Apple Music Downloaders" Are Problematic:
The few tools that claim to do this:

  • Require payment despite claiming to be "free"
  • May steal your Apple ID credentials
  • Often deliver poor quality audio
  • Can get your Apple ID banned from the service
  • Are ethically questionable regarding artist compensation

 

Since your goal is offline listening, here are your actual, safe paths forward without using Apple music downloader:

The Official, Intended Method (Requires Subscription)

Use the official Apple Music (iTunes) app for Windows.

Click the download icon (cloud with arrow) next to songs, albums, or playlists.

Important: These files are stored in a hidden, encrypted cache (like C:\Users\[You]\Music\Apple Music\). You cannot directly access or move them. They are only playable within the Apple Music app by the account that downloaded them. This is Apple's designed offline mode.

Add Purchased Files to Your Library: You can import these purchased files into your local iTunes/Apple Music library on Windows. They will sync across your devices via iCloud Music Library and are truly yours forever.

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