There are several ways to download music to a computer or phone. If you are doing this from a desktop computer, you can use iTunes. If you do this from a phone, you can purchase music from the iTunes Store (for iPhone users) or the Play Music app (for Android users). If you don't mind going through a third-party app or third-party website, you can also download music for free from sites like YouTube or SoundCloud.
Steps
Method 1 of 5: Buy music on a desktop
Step 1. Install iTunes
If you are using a Windows computer, be aware that there is no built-in option to buy and download music. However, it is possible to install iTunes.
- You will also need to create an iTunes account and enter a payment method before you can purchase music from iTunes.
- iTunes is installed by default on Macs.
Step 2. Open iTunes
Click or double-click the multicolored musical note icon on a white background to open iTunes.
Step 3. Sign in with your Apple ID
If you're not signed in to iTunes, follow these steps:
- click on the menu Account at the top of the iTunes window (if you're using a Windows computer) or screen (if you're using a Mac);
- select Log in in the drop-down menu;
- enter your Apple ID email address and password in the pop-up window that appears on the screen.
Step 4. Go to the Store tab
This tab is at the top of the iTunes window.
Step 5. Click on the search bar
This is the text field To research at the top right of the iTunes window.
Step 6. Search for music
Type the title of a song or album or the name of an artist and press Enter.
Step 7. Select an album if necessary
If you want to see the list of songs in an album, click on the title of the album in question to open it.
- If you only want to purchase the album, click on the price that appears below.
- If you only want to download one of the songs that appear in the search results, skip this step.
Step 8. Click on the price shown
If you buy an album, the price will be either under the title or next to it. If you buy a song, it will be found to the right of the song.
Step 9. Enter your Apple ID password
Type the password you use to sign in to your Apple ID.
If you're using a MacBook with a Touch Bar, place your fingerprint on the scanner to the far right of the Touch Bar
Step 10. Click Buy
This option is at the bottom of the pop-up window. Click on it to confirm your purchase and add the music to your library.
If you used Touch ID to confirm your purchase, skip this step
Step 11. View the music on a Windows computer
If you want to know where the music stored on your computer is located so that you can transfer it to another location or service, follow these steps:
- go to the song or album you just downloaded;
- click on the album to open it if necessary;
- right click on the song (or one of the songs on the album);
- select View in Windows Explorer from the drop-down menu.
Method 2 of 5: Buy music on iPhone
Step 1. Open the iTunes Store on your iPhone
Tap the white star icon on a magenta background to open the iTunes Store app.
Step 2. Tap Search
It's the magnifying glass icon at the bottom right of the screen.
Step 3. Tap the search bar
The search bar is at the top of the screen. Tap on it to open your iPhone's built-in keyboard.
Step 4. Search for music
Type the name of an artist, the title of a song or the title of an album and then press To research.
Step 5. Select the song or album to download
Scroll through the search results to the music you want to download and then tap it.
- If you've searched for a specific song or album title, tap Parts Where Albums at the top of the screen to display music only.
Step 6. Tap the price of the song or album
The price can be found to the right of the song or album title.
If you want to listen to a song before purchasing it, tap its icon on the far left of the screen
Step 7. Enter your fingerprint
When prompted, scan your fingerprint (or your face if you're using an iPhone X) or enter your Apple ID password. The song or album will be downloaded to your iPhone.
When the download is complete, you will find the music in the iTunes app on your iPhone and in all versions of iTunes for desktop where you're signed in with your Apple ID
Method 3 of 5: Buy music on Android
Step 1. Open your Android's Play Store
Tap the multicolored triangle icon on a white background to open the Play Store.
Step 2. Go to the MUSIC tab
This tab is at the top of the Play Store page, just below the search bar. The color of the Play Store should change from green to orange.
- If you don't see this tab, tap ☰ at the top left of the screen then select Music from the pop-up menu that appears.
Step 3. Tap the search bar
You will find the search bar at the top of the page. Tap on it to open your Android's built-in keyboard.
Step 4. Search for music
Enter the name of an artist, the title of a song or the title of an album then press the search icon on your phone keypad.
Step 5. Select the music
Scroll through the displayed results to the song or album you want to download and then tap it.
Step 6. Tap the price of the music
If you want to download an album, just tap the price at the top right of the page. If you want to buy a specific song, scroll through the album's track list and then tap the price to the right of the song in question.
Tapping on a song title keeps the album page open even if it is a single
Step 7. Select BUY when prompted
The album or song will be downloaded to your Android.
- Before downloading, you may be asked for your Google account password or your phone's passcode.
- The downloaded music will be visible in the Play Music app on your Android.
Method 4 of 5: Download Free Music from YouTube
Step 1. Download and install 4K Video Downloader
In your computer's web browser, open this page and click on Get 4K Video Downloader to the left of the window. Once the installation file is downloaded, the process varies from operating system to operating system.
- If you are using a Windows computer: double-click the installation file, click Yes when prompted and then follow the on-screen instructions.
- If you are using a Mac: Double click the installer file, check the process if necessary, click and drag the 4K Video Downloader application icon to the Applications folder, then follow the on-screen instructions.
Step 2. Open YouTube
Go to YouTube in your computer's web browser.
- Unless the content you're interested in has age restrictions, you don't need to sign in to your Google Account.
- You can also use 4K Video Downloader to download from Dailymotion, Vimeo, Facebook and SoundCloud.
Step 3. Go to the video you want to use
Find the video you want to extract audio from and click its title to open it.
Step 4. Copy the video address
Highlight the entire video address in the bar at the top of the browser and then press Ctrl + C (if you're using a Windows computer) or Command + C (if you're using a Mac).
- If you are downloading a video from a source other than YouTube, the flow of this step may vary (for example to download audio from a Facebook video, right-click on the video and then select Show video url before copying the address).
Step 5. Open 4K Video Downloader
Click on To start up
(on a Windows computer) or on Spotlight
(on a Mac) then type 4k video downloader and click (or double click if you are using a Mac) on 4K Video Downloader in search results. This will open the 4K Video Downloader window.
If 4K Video Downloader opens automatically after installation, skip this step
Step 6. Click Paste Link
This option is located at the top left of the window and allows you to paste the copied link into 4K Video Downloader.
Step 7. Wait for the application to analyze the video
You will be able to continue once the quality options are visible in the 4K Video Downloader window.
Step 8. Click the Download Video drop-down box
This box is located at the top left of the window and opens a drop-down menu.
Step 9. Select Extract Audio
The option Extract audio can be found in the drop-down menu.
Step 10. Change the audio format if necessary
By default, the music will be downloaded in MP3 format compatible with almost all audio players. If for one reason or another you want to modify this parameter, expand the field Format then select the format you want to use.
Step 11. Choose a quality
The original quality of the music will be selected by default, but you can change this setting by clicking on the box to the left of one of the options offered.
- For example, check the box High quality will increase the quality of the file.
Step 12. Select a save location
Click on Navigate at the bottom of the window then select the folder in which you want to save the extracted audio file (for example Office) before clicking Save.
- For Mac users, click ⋯ to the right of the text field dedicated to the save location. You may need to click To choose to confirm your choice.
Step 13. Click Extract
This option is at the bottom of the window and starts downloading audio in the selected file format. When the download is complete, you will find the music in your chosen save location.
Double-click the downloaded audio file to listen to it in your computer's default audio player
Method 5 of 5: Download Free Music from SoundCloud
Step 1. Log in to SoundCloud
In your computer's web browser, open this page.
Step 2. Click on the search bar
You will find the search bar either at the top or in the middle of the page depending on whether you are connected or not to SoundCloud.
Step 3. Search for music
Type the title of a song or the name of an artist and press Enter.
Step 4. Select your music
Scroll down the page until you find the song you want to download then click on its title to open its page.
Step 5. Copy the address of the song
Click the address bar at the top of the browser, then press Ctrl + C (if you're using a Windows computer) or Command + C (if you're using a Mac).
Step 6. Log in to the SoundCloud Downloader site
In your web browser open this page.
Step 7. Click on the text field
The text field is at the top of the page under the header Enter the song / song URL.
Step 8. Paste the address of the song
Press Ctrl + V (if using a Windows computer) or Command + V (if using a Mac). The address you copied will appear in the text field.
Step 9. Select Download
It's the orange button to the right of the text field.
Step 10. Right click on the Download Link button
This orange button is in the middle of the page and opens a drop-down menu.
- For Mac users, long press the Control key while clicking Download the link to open a drop-down menu.
Step 11. Click Save Link As
This option is in the drop-down menu and opens a window Save as.
- If you're signing in with Safari, click Download the linked file.
Step 12. Save the file
Enter a file name (e.g. song title), click on the folder you want to save it to, and select Save. The audio file will be downloaded to your computer.
