If you’ve purchased music in the past from the iTunes or Apple Music Store, you can easily download it again—even if you switched devices or deleted it by accident. Apple lets you redownload purchased songs at no extra cost, as long as they’re still available in the store. This step-by-step guide explains how to download previous music purchases on your iPhone quickly and safely.
Why Redownload Music Purchases?
People often need to restore music on their iPhone when:
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Switching to a new device
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Accidentally deleting songs
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Syncing issues after an update
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Rebuilding a lost library
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Moving music from an old backup
Luckily, Apple keeps your music purchases tied to your Apple ID, so you never lose them.
How to Download Previous Music Purchases on the iPhone
Step 1: Open the iTunes Store App
Look for the iTunes Store icon on your home screen.
Note: This is different from the Apple Music app.
Step 2: Go to the Purchased Section
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Tap your Profile icon in the top-right corner.
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Select Purchased from the menu.
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Choose Music.
Here you’ll see all songs and albums you’ve previously bought using your Apple ID.
Step 3: Find the Music You Want to Restore
You can navigate through:
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All Music Purchases
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Not on This iPhone (helpful for missing tracks)
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Artists or Albums View
Tap the categories to make the search easier.
Step 4: Redownload Your Songs or Albums
Next to each item, you’ll see a small cloud icon with a downward arrow.
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Tap the cloud icon to download that song or album back to your iPhone.
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Your download will start immediately and appear in the Apple Music library once finished.
Alternative Method: Download Purchased Music Through the Apple Music App
If you already see your purchased songs in the Apple Music app:
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Open Apple Music
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Tap and hold a song or album
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Choose Download
This method works if the purchase is already in your library but not saved offline.
Important Notes
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You must be signed in with the same Apple ID used to buy the music.
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Some older songs may not be available due to licensing changes.
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For Family Sharing, you can view and download purchases made by other family members (if allowed).
Troubleshooting Tips
If your music isn’t appearing:
✔ Check Your Apple ID
Go to Settings → Your Name and confirm the correct account is signed in.
✔ Check Hidden Purchases
If you hid music before, unhide it at:
Settings → Apple ID → Media & Purchases → View Account → Hidden Purchases
✔ Update Your iPhone
Older iOS versions sometimes cause syncing glitches.
Final Thoughts
Downloading your previous music purchases on the iPhone is simple and fast. With just a few taps in the iTunes Store or Apple Music app, you can restore any song or album you’ve bought in the past. Keeping your music connected to your Apple ID ensures you’ll never lose your collection—even if you switch devices.