Region-locked music on Apple Music in the US

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Level 1

8 points

Region-locked music on Apple Music in the US

Recently switched to Apple Music :-( Didn't know what I got myself into! Grown very used to the classic iTunes interface, functional and polished. Strongly suspect that all the negativity on it recently was a stealth PR campaign. Main issue for me is half my music is region-locked! Even in albums by the same artist, half the tracks aren't playing. 'This Item is not available in your Country or Region'. In other albums some tracks are not even visible! I see it by comparing the collection in my old phone to the new one. Tracks go 1,4,7,8,11. how can they not even show region-locked content!? I see lots of advice for how to change you region, but NONE on how to determine the correct one for a particular track, so it's pointless. I definitely see why the universal fix for everyone (first words always said) is: 'get the latest version', 'download the update'. Apple Music is a subscription ($-stream) service now. They've obviously spent years designing our shiny new CAGE.

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

iPhone 13 Pro Max

Posted on Dec 29, 2024 08:14 AM

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Answer 1

turingtest2

Level 10

277,729 points

Dec 30, 2024 01:18 AM in response to AmigajoeX

The current version of iTunes can be obtained via this direct link:

https://www.apple.com/itunes/download/win64

which avoids any of the redirection attempts that try to get you to install the newer suite of Apple Music, Apple TV and Apple Devices. It is installing one of these that then hobbles iTunes such that it only does audiobooks and podcasts. When installed on its own iTunes is still the fully functioning multimedia player we know and love.

iTunes est mort, vive iTunes!

tt2

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Answer 2

turingtest2

Level 10

277,729 points

Dec 29, 2024 05:29 PM in response to AmigajoeX

I would have used the most recent version of iTunes rather than an older one. Did you actively remove any existing music from the device before attempting a new sync? Forget the actual text of the error message, it is a red herring. There is a problem, just not that one, and Apple's software isn't smart enough to fix things through repeated syncing.

As before, try removing all music from the phone (Settings > General > iPhone Storage > Music > Edit > Delete All Songs) then try syncing again. If that still doesn't work try the comprehensive approach in this post on erratic syncing.

FWIW I don't think this is the kind of issue Apple Support know about. It doesn't fit the reboot, restore, upgrade, buy some new hardware model. I can't give you numbers, but I've been in enough threads where properly cleaning out the music and then reloading it from the computer has solved this issue to be confident in recommending it to you.

tt2

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Answer 3

turingtest2

Level 10

277,729 points

Dec 29, 2024 09:30 AM in response to AmigajoeX

Uninstall any/all of Apple Music, Apple Devices, and Apple TV so that iTunes can be restored to full functionality. There are, as yet, no tangible benefits to this new suite of apps, and plenty of downsides. The subscription service (with the same name!?) has benefits should they interest you, but is absolutely optional despite any marketing that attempts to suggest otherwise.

Are you seeing this message in the Apple Music app on your computer, or is in on your iPhone after you've tried syncing? I think this message can be generated on device when there is actually a different issue, e.g. the file in question wasn't actually copied from source. Clearing music from the device via Settings > General > iPhone Storage > Music > Edit > All Songs and then resyncing should resolve.

tt2

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Answer 4

AmigajoeX Author

Level 1

8 points

Dec 29, 2024 02:54 PM in response to turingtest2

Nope. Got rid of A-M, cleared the phone/PC of tracks, installed a version of iTunes from 5 years ago, and tried again. (Phone icon showed up this time) and after hours & hours of re-syncing, SAME issue. Was on the phone with Apple Support 10 minutes ago, they had no explanation for why American groups whose CDs I ripped myself would have random region-locked tracks on them. Promised to get back to me...

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Answer 5

AmigajoeX Author

Level 1

8 points

Dec 29, 2024 08:48 PM in response to AmigajoeX

Well, after a few more hours of syncing, the region-locked files became playable again! Good thing I resisted the urge to have the latest and greatest version of everything. As I mentioned, the newest version of iTunes only does vids and podcasts, NOT MUSIC. My music library was there the whole time, but the tracks weren't listed any more and plugging in the phone did nothing. With the older version a little icon appeared when I plugged the Phone in, clicking on it showed storage capacity/other details and let me initiate sync. Took all day, but eventually the greyed-out files lit up and my phone was back to normal. With the old iTunes, I could casually browse/play files, update album artwork, create playlists, etc. Just as I did a year...****, 6 months ago through a simple, intuitive, easy-to-use interface. NEVER going (&paying) for Apple Music, the auto-update option was turned off on install of this antique (12.7.5.9 [2018]) edition of iTunes. The end...

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Region-locked music on Apple Music in the US

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