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Two Ways to Stream Apple Music on Linux

By Harper North

Updated on: April 23, 2024

iTunes and Linux

If you are a Linux user, there are high chances that you might be using iTunes or Apple Music streaming music service. As iTunes is one of the most used applications across any platform to download, stream and manage music and videos, as well as offers access to 100 millions of Apple Music tracks. While its competitor Spotify has a native Linux client, Apple has not bothered to develop a desktop application for iTunes for Linux. Even if iTunes isn’t available in Linux as a native application, you can still eventually try to find a way to efficiently play Apple Music on your Linux. Here we'll reveal the best two ways to play Apple Music on Linux.

Method 1: Run iTunes in Linux via WINE

Method 2: Convert Apple Music for Syncing to Linux

Method 1: Run iTunes in Linux via WINE

Though you can't find a Linux version of iTunes, you can still run iTunes in Linux using WINE. It adds a compatibility layer so that Windows applications work on Linux, but the results are far from perfect — At least, it’s still worth a try. It will be a little complicated but you can follow the steps below to get iTunes installed on Linux.

Step 1: Install WINE. WINE is a free download available here.

Step 2: Once WINE is installed, check to see if your version of Linux needs any extras installed to support iTunes or its files. One common tool that is used in this situation is PlayOnLinux.

Step 3: With your environment configured correctly, next you'll start installing iTunes. To do that, download a 32-bit or 64-bit Windows version of iTunes from Apple and install it. It will install in the same way as if you were installing it on Windows.

Step 4: If the installation can go smoothly, try an earlier version of iTunes. But it will lack of the latest features.

Step 5: Launch iTunes and sign in your account. Now you can listen to Apple Music on Linux.

AskUbuntu.com has more extensive instructions on running iTunes in WINE.

Method 2: Convert Apple Music for Syncing to Linux

To successfully stream Apple Music on your Linux, a widely used solution is to download and install an application on your computer called Sidify Apple Music Converter. It is a fantastically flexible easy-to-use tool for converting Apple Music, iTunes M4P music and iTunes/ Audible Audiobook in a faster way.

Things You'll Need:

A Computer running Mac OS or Windows OS
The latest version of iTunes
An External & Portable USB Hard Drive
Sidify Apple Music Converter

Key Features of Sidify Apple Music Converter

Sidify Apple Music Converter

Work for Apple Music, iTunes M4P Music and Audiobooks.
Convert Apple Music songs to common MP3, AAC, FLAC, WAV, AIFF or ALAC.
Keep original audio quality and ID3 tags after conversion.
1-click to burn Apple Music to CD or upload Apple Music to Cloud.
Highly compatible with the latest Mac/ Windows OS and iTunes.

Download

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If you want a tool to convert any streaming music (including Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Tidal, Deezer, YouTube, YouTube Music, SoundCloud, DailyMotion …) to MP3, Sidify All-In-One is the go-to choice.

Step 1Launch Sidify Apple Music Converter

Run Sidify Apple Music Converter, you will access the modern interface of the program.

Step 2Add Apple Music Tracks to Sidify.

Drag and drop songs, an album or a playlist from Apple Muisc to Sidify. Or you can click the "Add" button on the interface and copy & paste the URL of your Apple Muisc to the program. Then click the "OK" button to import them to Sidify.

Step 3 Choose Output Format and Customize Output Path.

Click the Settings icon in the left panel. Here you can choose the output format (MP3/AAC/WAV/FLAC/AIFF/ALAC), the output quality and the output path as well. Besides, you can customize how you'd like to name and sort out the converted files.

Step 4 Convert Apple Music to MP3.

Click the Convert button and Sidify would immediately start converting the Apple Music to MP3s.

Step 5 Find the MP3 downloads on the Local Drive.

Once the conversion is done, click the Converted tab and you can check all the Apple Music that have been converted successfully. Go to the output folder set in the previous step, you'll find the downloaded MP3s.

Step 6Transfer Apple Music to USB for Streaming on Linux

Find the converted Apple Music files under the target folder on your Windows or Mac computer. Then transfer the converted music to an external USB hard disk for enjoying on your Linux.

Tip: You can play the converted file on other devices that support the converted audio format. Sidify maintains the quality of the audio like the original audio quality. The converted songs are as good as the original Apple Music. It even keeps all ID3 tags if they are present in the original iTunes music.

Note: The trial version of Sidify Apple Music converter has 1-minute conversion limit. If you want to unlock the time restriction, purchase the Sidify Pro now.

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Harper North | Staff Writer

Harper is a content writer with a profound understanding of the streaming music landscape and a specialization in music converters. She creates informative content on tools, techniques, and trends in music conversion, providing expert advice, detailed reviews, and guides.