Manual method
- On Mac open Music, then File > Library > Export Library to save XML.
- For one playlist select it and use File > Library > Export Playlist.
- For account activity visit Apple’s Data and Privacy page and request the Apple media-service categories actually offered.
- Keep XML, delivered account files and any owned local audio in separate folders.
Coverage and limitations: XML lists tracks but contains no audio. Subscription downloads are not a permanent portable music archive. An imported playlist only resolves tracks available to the target library.
Size and time to allow
Illustrative planning size: 0.05 GB; scenario range 0.001–0.5 GB. This is a storage-planning example, not a measured average. Your archive may be smaller or larger. Library/playlist XML plus listening/account metadata; excludes audio files.
Preparation and hands-on time: XML export is local; allow 5–15 minutes. Account-data preparation is separate; use the estimate displayed by Apple.
For the 0.05 GB example, network transfer alone is approximately:
| Connection download speed | Transfer estimate |
|---|---|
| 10 Mbit/s | 58 sec |
| 50 Mbit/s | 12 sec |
| 100 Mbit/s | 6 sec |
These calculations use decimal GB and 70% of the advertised speed. Tiny transfers can take longer because of startup overhead. Local exports do not need an internet download; use these numbers only for a network transfer. Preparation, retries, extraction, checking and a cloud upload are additional; use upload speed for the latter.
Where and how to keep it
An encrypted USB key can hold this example, but keep another independent copy on an external drive or in private encrypted cloud storage. A USB key alone is easily lost and is not a complete preservation plan.
Create a dated apple_music/YYYY-MM-DD/ folder. Keep received originals unchanged, use a separate working copy, and note the account/profile, selected dates, formats and known gaps in a private README. Compare file sizes, check any supplied checksums, and open sample files from the backup before considering the task finished. Repeat after meaningful additions. Follow the storage, archive-checking and large-file guide.
Sources and review
Public documentation was reviewed on 27 October 2026. No signed-in export or restoration was performed. Account options and availability can change; follow the current provider instructions.