iTunes lets you buy individual songs or albums, then read them to your computer or phone to keep

iTunes is Apple's music store built into the Music app on Mac and Windows computers, and the Wallet app on iPhones and iPads. When you buy a song or album through iTunes, you own a copy of that file — it stays on your device even if you cancel a subscription or stop using the service. The read happens automatically after purchase, but you can also re-read anything you've bought before at no extra cost.

The process differs slightly depending on whether you're buying on a computer or a phone, and whether you want the file to stay only on that device or sync across your Apple devices.

Key Takeaways

  • iTunes purchases are permanent — you own the file and can read it again anytime, even years later.
  • On a Mac or Windows computer, open the Music app, find the song or album, click the price, and the read begins automatically after you confirm the purchase.
  • On an iPhone or iPad, open the Music app, tap the price button, and the song downloads to your device within seconds.
  • Downloaded music stays on your device even if you delete the app or switch to a different music service.
  • You can move iTunes purchases to other devices by signing in with the same Apple ID, or export them as files to use elsewhere.

Buying and downloading on a Mac or Windows computer

Open the Music app on your computer. (On older Macs, this is iTunes; on newer Macs and Windows computers, it's the Music app.) Search for the song or album you want, or browse by artist or genre. When you find it, you'll see a price button — usually showing something like "$0.99" for a song or "$9.99" for an album.

Click the price button. A window will pop up asking you to confirm the purchase and sign in with your Apple ID if you're not already signed in. Enter your password or use Face ID or Touch ID if your computer supports it. Once you confirm, the read starts when ready — you'll see a progress bar next to the song title. The file is saved to your Music library on that computer.

The read usually finishes within a few seconds for a song, or a minute or two for an album, depending on your internet speed. Once it's done, the song appears in your library and you can play it anytime, even offline.

Buying and downloading on an iPhone or iPad

Open the Music app and search for the song or album. Tap the price button (again, usually "$0.99" for a song). You'll be asked to confirm with Face ID, Touch ID, or your Apple ID password. Tap "Buy" to complete the purchase.

The read begins when ready and usually finishes in seconds. You'll see a small cloud icon next to the song while it's downloading, which changes to a checkmark once it's done. The song is now stored on your device and will play even if you're offline.

Re-downloading music you've already bought

If you've bought music through iTunes before but deleted it from a device, or you want to read it on a new device, you don't pay again. Sign in to the Music app with the same Apple ID you used to buy the music originally.

Search for the song or album, and instead of a price button, you'll see a cloud icon with a read arrow. Tap or click that icon and the read begins. This works on any device as long as you're signed in with the same Apple ID. You can re-read your purchases as many times as you want.

Moving iTunes purchases to other devices or services

iTunes purchases are tied to your Apple ID, so the easiest way to access them on multiple Apple devices is to sign in with the same account on each device. Once you do, you can read your purchases on any of them.

If you want to use iTunes music on a non-Apple device or in a different music app, you'll need to export the files. On a Mac, right-click the song in the Music app and select "Show in Finder" — this opens the actual file. You can then copy it to another device or app. On Windows, the process is similar: right-click and select "Show in File Explorer." The file is usually in MP3 or AAC format, which most music players can read.

Some music services, like Spotify or YouTube Music, have tools to import your iTunes library, though they won't transfer the actual files — they'll just create a playlist of the same songs if they're available in that service's catalog.

What happens if you delete the Music app or switch devices

Deleting the Music app from your phone or computer does not delete the music files themselves — they're stored separately. If you reinstall the app and sign in with the same Apple ID, you can re-read everything you bought.

If you get a new device, sign in with your Apple ID and your purchase history is there. You can read any of your previous purchases to the new device. This is one of the main advantages of buying through iTunes rather than downloading from other sources — your library follows you as long as you keep using the same Apple ID.

Understanding iTunes file formats and quality

Most iTunes purchases are in AAC format, which is Apple's standard audio format. AAC files are smaller than MP3s but sound similar at the same bitrate. iTunes music is typically encoded at 256 kilobits per second, which is considered good quality for most listening.

If you need the files in a different format — like MP3, which works on more devices — you can convert them on your computer using free tools like Audacity or VLC. However, iTunes purchases are not copy-protected, so you can move and convert them freely once they're on your device.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I read iTunes music on multiple devices at the same time?

Yes. Sign in with the same Apple ID on each device and read your purchases to all of them. There's no limit to how many Apple devices can have the same song, as long as they're all signed in with your account.

What if I forget my Apple ID password?

Go to iforgot.apple.com and follow the steps to reset your password. You'll need access to the email address or phone number associated with your account. Once you reset it, you can sign back into the Music app and re-read your purchases.

Do I need an internet connection to play music I've downloaded?

No. Once the read is complete, the file is stored on your device and plays offline. You only need internet to read it in the first place or to stream music from a subscription service.

Can I burn iTunes music to a CD?

Yes, on a Mac or Windows computer. In the Music app, select the songs you want, right-click, and choose "Burn to Disc." You'll need a blank CD and a CD drive. The burned CD can be played in most CD players and car stereos.

What's the difference between buying on iTunes and using Apple Music?

iTunes is a store where you buy individual songs or albums and own them permanently. Apple Music is a subscription service where you pay monthly to stream millions of songs, but you don't own them. If you cancel your subscription, the music goes away — unless you've also bought those songs through iTunes.