Google Play Music has long been a favorite platform for streaming and storing personal music collections. With its easy file transfer options, users can move their music across devices or migrate their library to other platforms without hassle. Whether you’re switching to YouTube Music, downloading your library, or transferring files manually, there are multiple ways to securely transfer your music collection.
In this guide, we’ll cover how to transfer files easier, the best methods to move your songs, and alternative solutions if direct transfer is unavailable.
How Google Play Music Simplifies File Transfers
It was designed to provide a seamless experience when transferring songs between devices or platforms. With automatic syncing, cloud backup, and download options, users can easily manage their music library.
Key Features That Make Transfers Easier
- Cloud-Based Storage – Songs are stored in the cloud, allowing easy access from multiple devices.
- One-Click Download – Users can download their entire library to keep an offline backup.
- Migration to YouTube Music – Google provided a built-in tool to transfer Play Music libraries to YouTube Music.
- Automatic Device Syncing – When signed in to a Google account, Play Music syncs across phones, tablets, and computers.
- Offline Listening – Downloaded music files can be moved between devices without re-downloading them.
With these features, Google Play Music makes file transfer easier compared to traditional music platforms that rely solely on local storage.
Transferring Your Google Play Music Library to YouTube Music
When Google Play Music was discontinued, users were given the option to transfer their entire music library to YouTube Music with just a few clicks.
Steps to Transfer Music to YouTube Music
- Open the YouTube Music app on your phone or computer.
- Sign in using the Google account linked to Play Music.
- Tap the “Transfer Your Library” option on the home screen.
- The transfer process will begin, moving playlists, uploads, purchases, and preferences to YouTube Music.
- Once completed, your entire library will be available on YouTube Music without needing to re-download songs.
Pros of Transferring to YouTube Music:
- Automatic and effortless migration
- Retains playlists, song preferences, and purchases
- Available across multiple devices
Cons of Transferring to YouTube Music:
- No longer supports Google Play Music app functionality
- Some older songs or rare tracks may not transfer
- Requires a stable internet connection for migration
Downloading and Moving Songs
If you prefer not to transfer your library to YouTube Music, it allows users to download and manually move their files.
How to Download Your Music Library from Google Play Music
- Access Google Takeout – Visit Google Takeout and sign in with your Google account.
- Select Google Play Music – Scroll down and check the box next to Google Play Music.
- Choose File Format – Select MP3 format for downloaded songs.
- Request Download – Click Create Export, and Google will generate a downloadable file containing your music.
- Download the File – Once the export is complete, download the ZIP file and extract your songs.
Moving Downloaded Songs to Another Platform
- To iTunes/Apple Music: Open iTunes > Go to File > Add to Library > Select downloaded music files.
- To Spotify: Open Spotify > Go to Settings > Local Files > Enable Show Local Files and add the folder with your downloaded music.
- To External Storage: Copy the music files to a USB drive, SD card, or external hard drive.
Pros of Downloading Music Locally:
- Keeps a permanent backup of your songs
- Can be used on multiple platforms (Apple Music, Spotify, etc.)
- No internet connection needed to access music
Cons of Downloading Music Locally:
- Requires manual file management
- Takes up storage space on your device
- Google Play Music store is no longer available for new purchases
Alternative Ways to Transfer Google Play Music Files
If the standard YouTube Music migration or Google Takeout download doesn’t work for you, alternative methods are available.
1. Transfer Google Play Music Files to a Cloud Service
- Upload your downloaded Google Play Music files to cloud storage services like Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive.
- Access your music from any device by logging into your cloud account.
- Stream or download the songs from the cloud whenever needed.
2. Use a Third-Party Music Manager
- Tools like MediaMonkey, MusicBee, and Winamp allow easy organization and transfer of downloaded Google Play Music files.
- These apps can convert your music files into different formats (MP3, AAC, WAV) and sync them to smartphones and other devices.
3. Move Music Files Directly Between Devices
- Use a USB cable or Wi-Fi file transfer app to move downloaded Play Music files from one device to another.
- Apps like SHAREit, Xender, and AirDroid can wirelessly transfer music files between Android, iOS, and PCs.
Pros of Alternative Transfer Methods:
- Keeps files accessible across multiple platforms
- No reliance on streaming services
- Cloud backups ensure music is never lost
Cons of Alternative Transfer Methods:
- Some services have file size limits
- Requires additional apps or storage services
- Manual organization of files may be needed
FAQs
1. Can I still access Google Play Music?
No, Google Play Music has been fully replaced by YouTube Music, and all Play Music services have been discontinued.
2. What happened to my Google Play Music purchases?
If you transferred your library to YouTube Music, all purchased songs should be available there. If not, you can download your purchases via Google Takeout.
3. How do I transfer music files to another service?
You can download your library from Google Takeout and manually upload it to Apple Music, Spotify, or cloud storage for access on different platforms.
4. What format are Google Play Music files?
All downloaded Google Play Music files are in MP3 format, making them compatible with most music players and streaming apps.
5. Can I recover my library if I didn’t transfer it to YouTube Music?
If you didn’t transfer before the deadline, your library may no longer be recoverable. However, if you backed up your music using Google Takeout, you can still access those files.
Conclusion
Google Play Music made file transfer easier by offering cloud syncing, downloads, and one-click migration to YouTube Music. While the service is no longer active, users can still transfer their Google Play Music files to other platforms using Google Takeout, cloud storage, or direct file transfers. Whether you’re switching to YouTube Music or keeping a local backup, these methods ensure you never lose access to your music.
Check out: How to transfer your Google Play Music to YouTube Music library