Why artists are leaving Spotify — and how you can, too

Artists are pulling their music off Spotify, and users are deleting their accounts in protest of the company's many controversial decisions.

Why are artists removing their music from Spotify?

Critics say Spotify's algorithm has turned music lovers into "lazy listeners," while artists argue the platform fails to fairly compensate them 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 pull them.

In response, bands like Deerhoof, Xiu Xiu, King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard, Hotline TNT, The Mynabirds, WU LYF, Kadhja Bonet, Young Widows, and many others have left the platform, with most citing Ek’s ties to AI-driven defense tech as the final straw.

"We don't want our music killing people. We don't want our success being tied to AI battle tech," Deerhoof told NPR in a statement. "Deerhoof is a small mom and pop operation, and know when enough is enough. We aren't capitalists, and don't wish to take over the world. Especially if the price of 'discoverability' is letting oligarchs fill the globe with computerized weaponry, we're going to pass on the supposed benefits."

How to move your Spotify playlists to Apple Music and other music streaming apps

Listeners who have chosen to boycott the company are mostly moving over to Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, and Tidal, but there are also options with Qobuz, Soundiiz, and Resonate.

One reason stopping some listeners from switching platforms is that all of their saved music — and beloved playlists — are on Spotify.

You have 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 lets you 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.

Total Time

• 1 min

What You Need

• iPhone
• Spotify App
• Apple Music App
• Apple Music Subscription

Step 1: Navigate to Apps in your Settings

Open settings and scroll down to Apps

Credit: Mashable screenshot

Step 2: Navigate to Music

Scroll down and click "Music" in your apps

Credit: Mashable screenshot

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're transferring from Spotify. It will direct you to sign into your account, and may ask you to approve the transfer.

Credit: Mashable screenshot

Step 5: Choose what to transfer and add to your library.

The final step! Choose what you'd like to transfer — songs, playlist, etc — and click "Add to library."

Credit: Mashable screenshot

When you're done, Apple Music might ask you to review alternatives. For me, a few songs that belonged on multiple albums — Yebba's Boomerang, for instance — required reviews.

Once you've made your selections there, you're all done!