TikTok is collaborating with major streaming music services such as Spotify, Amazon Music, and Apple Music to introduce a new feature enabling users to save TikTok video songs directly to their preferred streaming app. This addition aligns with TikTok's growing impact on music charts and artist discovery. The influence extends to Spotify, evident in its TikTok-inspired app redesign earlier this year, featuring short-form discovery feeds for music and podcasts.
The "Add to Music app" feature on TikTok will display a button labeled "Add Song" next to a track name in the For You Feed, allowing users to save the song to their streaming music app. Upon tapping the button for the first time, users can set their preferred music service as the default.
Although Apple Music was not initially mentioned in TikTok's press release, it is visible in the provided screenshots. TikTok later confirmed that Apple Music is indeed included in the feature. For Spotify, users in the U.S. and the U.K. can save songs to their "Liked Songs" playlist. The default can be set during the initial interaction, and the option can also be found in the Settings page under "Music," with additional markets expected to be supported over time, according to Spotify.
Once activated, you can easily tap the "Add to Spotify" button on TikTok whenever you encounter tracks you enjoy and wish to revisit while browsing through your For You Feed. Additionally, this feature is accessible from an artist's Sound Detail page.
A comparable function is also extended to Amazon Music users in the U.S. and U.K. In this application, TikTok songs will be included in a designated "TikTok Songs" playlist or any other playlist of your choosing. However, on Amazon Music, this feature is exclusive to Prime members and Amazon Music Unlimited subscribers, whereas Spotify accommodates both its free and paid (Premium) users.
As for Apple Music, being a subscription-based service, this feature is exclusively available to paying subscribers.
The functionality will require both the TikTok app and the user's streaming music app to be updated to the latest version for proper operation. Spotify has announced that the feature is being introduced to both its iOS and Android apps, commencing today. This integration joins other social platforms, including BeReal, Instagram, Snapchat, and Twitter (now X).
While TikTok collaborates with streaming services to enhance their offerings, its parent company ByteDance is simultaneously making strides in the streaming music arena. Expanding TikTok Music beyond the U.S., ByteDance leverages its popular short video app to establish a music rival.
Despite these developments, Spotify maintains its position as a leading music app in the U.S., ranking second in terms of monthly listeners after YouTube and tied with Amazon Music, according to U.S. usage data. Spotify's influence extends globally, shaping U.S. music culture through features like Discover Weekly, curated collections, and the popular year-end review, Spotify Wrapped. Amazon Music gains traction through its association with the popular Prime subscription, providing it with a significant presence in the U.S.
For now, TikTok collaborates with its competitors on integrations like this, recognizing the need for cooperation. TikTok's global head of Music Business Development, Ole Obermann, emphasized the platform's role in music discovery and promotion. The "Add to Music App" feature strengthens the connection between TikTok discovery and music streaming consumption, enhancing the overall music experience for fans and generating greater value for artists and rightsholders.
TikTok has previously partnered on various music initiatives, including the recent collaboration with Billboard to launch a top 50 song chart. Earlier this year, TikTok initiated a program to identify emerging artists, and it hosted a live music competition to showcase talent, solidifying its reputation as a hub for music discovery. The "Add to Music App" feature is currently rolling out to users in the U.S. and U.K., with plans for expansion into more markets, according to TikTok.