SongShift "Spotify Currently Busy" Error: What It Means
Quick answer
When Apple Music's transfer tool or the SongShift app shows Spotify grayed out with "Currently busy, try again later," the connection to Spotify appears to be at capacity. Nothing is wrong with your account. Try again later, or move your playlists another way today with Spotify-to-Apple Music tools like TuneMyMusic or Soundiiz.
Why it happens
Apple's built-in Transfer Music option runs on SongShift (MacRumors). When lots of people try to connect Spotify at once, Spotify can be shown as busy and grayed out. Users started reporting it in the Apple Community soon after the tool reached the US, including people for whom it worked one day and not the next.
What to try
- Wait and retry. Try again a few hours later or at a quieter time, like early morning.
- Try the other entry point. If it fails in Settings on your iPhone, try music.apple.com on a computer, or the other way around.
- Use the SongShift app itself. Some users report the standalone app connects when the built-in option doesn't.
- Use a different tool. TuneMyMusic and Soundiiz connect to Spotify separately and aren't affected by this message.
Other ways to move your playlists
Free up to 500 songs. Works in any browser.
Step 1: Go to tunemymusic.com and pick Spotify as the source.
Step 2: Sign in and choose your playlists or liked songs.
Step 3: Pick Apple Music as the destination and sign in.
Step 4: Start the transfer.
Related problem: "Sync Library isn't on"
If SongShift says your library sync is off when it isn't, check Settings > Apps > Music and make sure Sync Library is on, then sign out of Apple Music in SongShift and back in.