Can't play local music files Window 11 using Apple Music

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Can't play local music files Window 11 using Apple Music

I was able to add my library to Apple Music, all songs are displayed correctly, but I can't get anything to play. Double click to play does nothing, and the menu options aren't available either. I've deleted my iTunes folder, and the option for "lossless playback" doesn't exist in my settings. Any other suggestions?

And DANG I noticed a real lack of support from Apple's end on this one. This has me pumping the brakes on moving away from android/Google/MS

Windows, Windows 10

Posted on Jan 28, 2025 04:17 PM

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Answer 1

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turingtest2

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277,729 points

Jan 30, 2025 06:41 AM in response to nameisused

My personal opinion is that iTunes is a much better app than Apple Music. You might see if removing Apple Music/Apple Devices/Apple TV and reinstalling iTunes allows you to add your music to a library that actually works. The only meagre benefit that Apple Music has over iTunes in Windows is the ability to stream/download lossless tracks, but than only applies if you have a subscription to the Apple Music service.

It probably isn't the issue, but just in case see Repair security permissions for iTunes/Music for Windows - Apple Community in case a permissions issue is blocking playback. Like iTunes, Apple Music may fail silently rather than issue a useful error message when it can't do whatever is asked of it for reasons.

tt2

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Answer 2

nameisused Author

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4 points

Jan 30, 2025 07:37 PM in response to turingtest2

Unfortunately THAT doesn't work either. I mean, iTunes is no longer giving me the dialogue about music being added as audiobooks, however it still only adds them in the audiobook section. I deleted all Apple related folders, emptied the recycle bin, and restarted my computer before installing iTunes by itself again. Had already uninstalled Apple music and never had the other two installed.

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Answer 3

turingtest2

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277,729 points

Jan 30, 2025 04:31 AM in response to nameisused

nameisused wrote:

... I've deleted my iTunes folder

That may have been a mistake. Typically when Apple Music is installed on a computer that previously had iTunes it will convert the iTunes library to the Apple Music format, using the old iTunes Media folder, normally inside the iTunes folder, as its media folder. If you deleted the iTunes folder you may well have thrown baby out with the bathwater.

and the option for "lossless playback" doesn't exist in my settings.

Do you have an active subscription to the Apple Music service? If so have you signed in with your Apple ID/Account and enabled Sync Library?

tt2

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Answer 4

nameisused Author

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4 points

Jan 30, 2025 05:59 AM in response to turingtest2

My music and media was not ever in my iTunes folder, if that's what you meant. It's all kept in the Music folder on my computer (My pc/Erik/Music or whatever). I had installed iTunes a few years ago, and had read that deleting that folder could fix the problem. When I re-install Apple Music, the folder re-appears, but it never held my music library at any time.

I do not have an Apple Music subscription, I'm guessing the "Lossless playback" option is in reference to playing music from their servers, so it would explain why that option isn't available for me. I was just curious if it was an option that should've been available but wasn't.

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Answer 5

nameisused Author

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4 points

Jan 30, 2025 07:38 AM in response to turingtest2

Ah, the suggestion didn't work, I was hoping it would though.

I gave iTunes a shot right now, but it only allows my songs to be added as audio books, which isn't ideal for what I want. Also it's still a laggy, unusable mess just as it was years ago when I tried it.

My biggest issue here is that the apps just don't work lol. Mediamonkey already does most of what I need, minus all the investment of using apple services. I don't think trying to use such a large company's product should involve so many (or any) workarounds to make it work.

I appreciate the help, I'll probably just not use Apple Music altogether

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Answer 6

turingtest2

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277,729 points

Jan 30, 2025 08:05 AM in response to nameisused

If any of Apple Music, Apple Devices, or Apple TV are installed then iTunes is limited to working with audiobooks and podcasts. If you remove all three then you should be able to switch from audiobooks to music again.

tt2

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Answer 7

nameisused Author

Level 1

4 points

Jan 30, 2025 07:50 PM in response to turingtest2

HEY wow I gave it another shot and it worked. I uninstalled iTunes, then deleted all the Apple folders from Program Files and Program Files (x86), then deleted any Apple/iTunes related folders in my music folder as well. Re-Installed iTunes from the MS Store and dragged my music and it worked. Big ups, solved the issue I had. I can use a piece of Apple software to play and organize my music.

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Answer 8

nameisused Author

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4 points

Feb 1, 2025 07:16 PM in response to nameisused

One final update. It started working after a few tries. I realized iTunes didn't support FLAC, so I tried Apple Music again which didn't work. Then uninstalled both, deleted all folders, re-installed Apple Music, and it played my files.

Go figure.

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Can't play local music files Window 11 using Apple Music

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