How-ToStreamingMusic

Switching from Spotify: How to Move Your Playlists, Podcasts and Subscriptions Without Losing a Beat

UUnknown

2026-02-16

11 min read

A 2026 step-by-step guide to move playlists, podcasts and paid feeds from Spotify — with K-pop metadata fixes and recovery tips.

You're leaving Spotify — now what? (And how to keep every playlist, podcast and paid show)

Hook: Hate losing hours of curated playlists, subscribed podcasts, and paid creator shows because one streaming platform raised prices or changed policies? You're not alone. In 2026 the streaming landscape is more fragmented than ever — and switching services without a plan can cost you access, metadata integrity (especially for K-pop), and the emotional value of those perfectly ordered playlists.

Why switching platforms matters in 2026

Late 2025 and early 2026 accelerated two trends that make careful migration essential: ongoing price hikes (Spotify raised prices again), and a surge in creator-first, subscription-gated content across platforms. That means you might be leaving behind not just songs and shows, but paid subscriptions, exclusive feeds, and AI-personalized recommendations. The good news: with the right tools and a few manual checks, you can migrate playlists and podcasts, back up your data, and keep the fidelity of K-pop metadata intact.

What you can move — and what’s likely to stay behind

Moveable: Most public playlists, podcast RSS subscriptions, and basic metadata (track title, artist).
Often tricky: Paid podcasts or platform-exclusive shows, curated algorithm history, and platform-specific features (e.g., Spotify Blend or Canvas art).
Hard or impossible: DRM‑protected local files purchased through a platform, exclusive songs blocked in other territories, and some creator-gated feeds with platform-only payment systems.

Quick checklist — before you start

Make sure you can sign into both old and new services simultaneously (you’ll need API permissions).
Export playlists and podcast subscriptions (use OPML or third-party tools where appropriate).
Collect RSS links for podcasts, and note any paid creator feeds you subscribe to.
Backup metadata using MusicBrainz or Discogs lookups for tricky non-Latin scripts (K-pop, J-pop, etc.).
Prepare short-form content assets: clips, audiograms, and highlight reels if you plan to migrate your own podcasts or promo content.

Step-by-step playlist migration

These steps assume you’re switching from Spotify to a new service (Apple Music, YouTube Music, Tidal, Qobuz, Deezer, or a regional player). They work for both free and paid tiers.

1. Choose the right migration tool

Soundiiz — web-based, supports many services and preserves order and descriptions. Good for bulk migrations and playlist ownership transfer.
TuneMyMusic — quick, free transfer options for common services; easy for casual users.
SongShift — reliable iOS app with one-off or automated sync options.
FreeYourMusic — cross-platform desktop app, useful for very large libraries.

Tip: These tools use APIs; they require you to grant temporary access to your accounts. Read permissions carefully and revoke access after migration if you want. If you’re preparing a toolkit for creators, see our portable billing & creator toolkit review for workflow ideas.

2. Export directly from Spotify (optional but recommended)

Use Spotify’s Web API or request your account data via Privacy > Download your data. That request may take days and returns a bundle — useful if you want raw JSON playlists and library info.
For a fast export, use Soundiiz or TuneMyMusic to pull playlists directly via Spotify login.

3. Match tracks — be mindful of K-pop metadata quirks

K-pop often has multiple canonical forms: Hangul, romanized titles, English translations, and different releases (Korean, Japanese, repackages) with distinct ISRC codes. Automated tools match by track title + artist name, but that can fail when labels use alternate romanizations or special characters.

Where a playlist transfer misses tracks, search by ISRC or cross-check on MusicBrainz and Discogs for unique identifiers.
Use the original release's album name and release date to pick the right version (digital single vs. physical repack).
If you rely on exact order, pick a tool that preserves playlist sort order — Soundiiz and FreeYourMusic usually do.

4. Fix missing tracks

If your migration tool can’t find a track on the destination service, do this:

Search by alternate artist names (Korean Hangul, romanization, or English stage name).
Try the label’s release page or the artist’s official YouTube channel — sometimes the destination service uses different metadata pulled from label feeds.
Where possible, add the track manually to the playlist in the destination app.

Podcast transfer: preserving subscriptions, episodes and paid feeds

Podcasts are fundamentally RSS-based — that’s both a blessing and a curse. RSS means portability, but platforms have layered paid subscriptions and exclusive shows on top of RSS in the last few years.

1. Export your podcast subscriptions (OPML is your friend)

Most podcast apps (Overcast, Pocket Casts, Castbox, and many others) can export subscriptions as an OPML file. Export and save that file.
Apple Podcasts lets you export subscriptions if you use the Podcasts app on macOS; check Settings > Subscriptions or use the web interface for backup.

2. Import OPML into your new app

Open destination app (e.g., Pocket Casts, Overcast, Spotify app on new device if staying but re-syncing).
Find Import > Upload OPML > Confirm. The app will subscribe to each RSS feed in the OPML.

3. Handling paid and platform-exclusive podcast content

Here’s the trickiest part: many podcasters now offer paid tiers, ad-free feeds, bonus episodes, or platform-exclusive windows. Spotify’s paid podcast model and similar creator-first systems mean your paid subscription may not be portable.

If you pay a creator through Spotify, check the podcast’s official website — many creators provide alternate RSS feeds or patron-only feeds via Patreon, Memberful, or their own CMS.
Contact the podcaster or check their newsletter. Podcasters often provide migration instructions or one-time vouchers for subscribers moving platforms.
Record (and keep) podcast receipts and transaction IDs until you confirm you have continued access on the new platform or have successfully canceled/refunded.

Backing up your music + metadata

Backing up is about more than playlists — it’s about context. Metadata preservation means keeping track of which release, which version, and which language script is attached to a track.

1. Export playlists to CSV / JSON

Use Soundiiz, TuneMyMusic or Spotify’s API to export playlists as CSV or JSON. Keep fields: track title, artist, album, ISRC, release date, Spotify URI.
Store these files in a cloud folder (Dropbox, Google Drive) and a local drive for redundancy.

2. Build a metadata backup for K-pop (and other non-Latin catalogs)

For each K-pop track, record: Hangul title, romanized title, English title (if any), artist name in Hangul, ISRC, album name, release date, label.
Use MusicBrainz or Discogs APIs to fetch MBIDs and release-group identifiers — these are cross-platform anchors that reduce mismatches. You can keep these anchors in a small, fast store or an edge-friendly metadata file for quick lookups.

3. Local files and lossless archives

If you own local, DRM-free files, organize them with proper tags using Mp3tag, Beets, or Picard (MusicBrainz). For audiophile files, keep FLAC/WAV archives and a hashed manifest so you can verify integrity later.

Special tips for international fans (geo-blocking, regional services, and paid regional catalogs)

Streaming catalogs vary widely by country. K-pop tracks often appear on Korean-only platforms (Melon, Genie, FLO) with slight metadata differences. Here’s how to avoid losing access or mixing up versions.

1. Find regional equivalents

When a track is missing on your destination service, look it up on regional stores (Melon, Genie, Bugs in Korea; Line Music in Japan; Anghami in MENA).
Use MusicBrainz and Discogs to match release groups across services — these databases are global and can identify the same recording across territories.

2. Legal alternatives to VPNs and region locks

While VPNs can technically access geo-restricted catalogs, they may violate a service’s terms. A better approach is:

Use official regional services and create local accounts (where allowed) to access exclusive releases.
Follow official artist channels and label stores for international release details and pre-orders that include global digital downloads.

3. K-pop metadata quirks — real examples and fixes

Example: A single released in Korean as "다시 만나" might appear as "Dasi Manna", "Dasi 만나", or as an English title like "Meet Again" depending on the release. The ISRC and release date are the constants that tell you it’s the same recording.

When matching K-pop tracks, use ISRC and label name first, then match on title/artist variations.
Keep original Hangul stored in your backup CSV/JSON to avoid losing the canonical artifact.

Multimedia pillar — porting podcast episodes and creating highlight reels

If you’re a creator or a fan making highlight reels and short-form clips, think about migration as an opportunity to repurpose content for TikTok, Instagram Reels, and platform-native short formats. 2025–2026 saw creators increasingly monetize clips directly — don’t lose those assets in the move.

Tools to prepare audio/video assets

Descript — transcripts, clip editing, filler word removal; great for podcast highlight reels.
Headliner.app / Wavve — fast audiograms and social-ready waveform videos for promos.
Kapwing / Veed — mobile-friendly editors for resizing and captioning for Reels and Shorts.
Adobe Audition / Audacity — deep cleanup and mastering before republishing on a new host.

Republishing episodes: what to check

Confirm you have the original episode files and stereo/mono masters.
Re-run transcripts and re-tag metadata (episode title, synopsis, chapters) for better discoverability on the new host.
Beware of platform-owned exclusives — if you published a Spotify Exclusive, you may need permission to republish; check your agreement or contact your distributor. For creators reworking distribution and live assets, see tips on short-form fan engagement and how to tailor clips.

When things go wrong — troubleshooting common migration failures

Missing tracks: Search by ISRC or manually add the correct version to the playlist.
Playlists imported out of order: Export to CSV and reapply the correct order on the destination app.
Podcast episodes missing images or show notes: Reimport RSS directly from the show’s host or manually paste notes into the new host’s episode editor.
Paid podcast content inaccessible: Keep receipts and contact the creator to request alternate feed access or refund instructions.

Advanced strategies and future-proofing (2026 and beyond)

Streaming fragmentation will only grow: creators will continue to experiment with direct subscriptions, decentralized feeds, and AI-curated experiences. Here’s how to stay ready.

Maintain a canonical metadata store (CSV/JSON) with ISRCs and MusicBrainz IDs for every track you care about.
Encourage creators to offer standard RSS or alternate download links if they monetize via platform gating; it keeps audiences portable.
Regularly export OPML and playlist backups (schedule quarterly exports).
For collectors and superfans, keep a local archive of high-res files where licensing allows (FLAC with hashed manifests).

Privacy, security and legal considerations

Granting third-party migration tools API access is common, but follow these rules:

Revoke access after your migration is complete (account settings > connected apps).
Read subscription terms before canceling — some services auto-renew and may not refund.
Respect copyright: don’t repost full tracks unless you own the distribution rights. Clips for promo are usually OK under fair use, but check local laws.

Actionable 15-minute migration sprint

Open destination service and create an account (5 mins).
Export Spotify playlists with Soundiiz or TuneMyMusic (5 mins).
Import into destination service and flag missing tracks (3 mins).
Export podcast OPML and import into new podcast app (2 mins).

This sprint gets the essentials done quickly — follow up with metadata cleanups and K-pop checks in your next session.

Real-world example: migrating a K-pop playlist

Anna is in the U.S. and follows a J-pop/K-pop playlist on Spotify with ten Korean singles, two Japanese versions, and three remixes. Using Soundiiz, she migrated the list and found two tracks missing because the destination service used Japanese release titles. She pulled ISRCs from Spotify’s exported JSON, searched MusicBrainz, located the matching Japanese release IDs, and manually re-added the correct files. End result: identical order, correct album versions, and preserved track notes in the playlist description.

Final checklist before you flip the switch

Playlists: exported CSV/JSON + validated missing track fixes.
Podcasts: OPML exported and imported; paid feeds verified.
Backups: local copy of important files + metadata (ISRC, MBID).
Multimedia assets: highlight clips created and saved for re-sharing.
Permissions: third-party app access revoked if desired.

Wrap-up: switching services without losing a beat

Switching from Spotify in 2026 is more than account juggling — it’s a metadata rescue mission, especially for international and K-pop-heavy libraries. Use trusted migration tools, include metadata anchors like ISRC and MusicBrainz IDs, export OPML for podcasts, and keep receipts and creator contacts for paid subscriptions. And treat your migration as a content opportunity: repurpose highlights and short-form clips to welcome your new audience.

Takeaway: With planned exports, a few reliable tools, and attention to K-pop metadata quirks, you can keep your playlists, podcasts and subscriptions intact — and maybe even make your library better on the other side.

Call to action

Ready to move? Download our free migration checklist, join theboys.live community migration thread to share your successes or ask for help, and tag us on social with your before-and-after playlist screenshots. We’ll feature the best migration stories and highlight reel remixes on our podcast this month.

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Senior editor and content strategist. Writing about technology, design, and the future of digital media. Follow along for deep dives into the industry's moving parts.