Abstract: A method and apparatus for increasing storage capacity on magnetic media. A dual-layer magnetic recording apparatus receives, a write operation instruction, bit position and bit value where the bit position includes a media surface position and magnetic media layer identifier. The dual-layer magnetic recording apparatus accesses a dual-layer magnetic media where the dual-layer magnetic media includes a first magnetic media layer with a thermally controllable coercivity, a second magnetic media layer and a separation layer. The magnetic layer identifier is determined to associated with be the first magnetic media layer or the second magnetic media layer. When the magnetic layer identifier is the second magnetic media layer, the bit value is written based on magnetically charging the second magnetic media layer and when the magnetic layer identifier is the first magnetic media layer the bit value is written based on heating and magnetically charging the first magnetic media layer.