Artists are removing their music from Spotify and users are deleting their accounts to protest the company’s many controversial decisions.
Why do artists delete their music from Spotify?
Critics say Spotify’s algorithm has turned music lovers into “lazy listeners,” while artists say the platform fails to compensate them fairly for their work. CEO Daniel Ek’s investment in a company developing AI for military use has sparked further backlash. Most recently, Spotify faced public outrage for running recruitment ads for ICE – and refused to remove them.
In response, bands like Deerhoof, Xiu Xiu, King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard, Hotline TNT, The Mynabirds, WU LYF, Kadhja Bonet, Young Widows and more left the platform, with most citing Ek’s ties to AI-based defense technology as the final straw.
“We don’t want our music to kill people. We don’t want our success to be tied to AI combat technology,” Deerhoof told NPR in a statement. “Deerhoof is a small family business, and we know when enough is enough. We are not capitalists and do not want to take over the world. Especially if the price of ‘discoverability’ is allowing oligarchs to fill the globe with computerized weapons, we will pass on the supposed profits.”
How to Move Your Spotify Playlists to Apple Music and Other Music Streaming Apps
Listeners who have chosen to boycott the company are mostly turning to Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music and Tidal, but there are also options with Qobuz, Soundiiz and Resonate.
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One of the reasons that keeps some listeners from switching platforms is that all of their recorded music – and their beloved playlists – are on Spotify.
You need to use a third-party app like SoundDiiz or TuneMyMusic to transfer your playlists from Spotify to Amazon Music, YouTube Music, TIDAL and Qobuz, but Apple Music allows you to import music from Spotify, Amazon Music, Deezer, TIDAL and YouTube.
Here’s how to transfer your playlists and saved songs from Spotify to Apple Music.
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iPhone
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Spotify app
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Apple Music app
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Apple Music subscription
Step 1: Go to Apps in your Settings
Open Settings and scroll down to Applications
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Step 2: Go to Music
Scroll down and click “Music” in your apps
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Step 3: Transfer your music
Tap “Transfer music from other music services” at the bottom of your screen.
Credit: Mashable screenshot
Step 4: Transfer from Spotify
Choose “Spotify” if you are transferring from Spotify. It will ask you to log in to your account and may ask you to approve the transfer.
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Step 5: Choose what you want to transfer and add to your library.
The last step! Choose what you want to transfer (songs, playlist, etc.) and click “Add to Library”.
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When you’re done, Apple Music may ask you to consider alternatives. For me, a few songs that belonged to several albums — Yebba’s Boomerangfor example – required exams.
Once you’ve made your selections, you’re done!
