ITunes does not show a music library

Question

Level 1

19 points

ITunes does not show a music library

I use to be able to play my entire library (purchased and loaded-from-cd music) in my car via Bluetooth. Now I only have a small subset of tunes available. If I subscribe to Apple Music then all my songs are suddenly available again. It I refuse to pay for music I loaded from purchased cds or songs I purchased from iTunes. I logged into my iTunes on my current phone and there is no ‘Library’ link implying that my music library does not exist. Where can I find it? If it’s on an old computer I’m screwed because I’ve changed computers multiple times. I did pay for Music Match for awhile so I do know it’s stored in the cloud somewhere. How can I get iTunes on my current phone to link to my library without having to pay for it? Thank You!

iPhone 13 Pro Max

Posted on Sep 5, 2022 08:44 AM

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Answer 1

destiny241

Community Specialist

Sep 6, 2022 02:26 PM in response to Lucasnme123

Hello Lucasnme123,

We understand you've been struggling to get your Music library on to your iPhone. We'll do our best to help out.

You would have to either sync the content from the original computer (where the files are stored and saved from iTunes or imported from CDs) or you'll need to subscribe to a service (Apple Music or iTunes Match) that will allow you to have access to the library on your associated devices.

If you wish to sync the iPhone with the computer, use steps in: Sync your iPhone, iPad, or iPod using your computer - Apple Support

Join Apple Music: Join Apple Music on your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac, or PC - Apple Support

Subscribe to iTunes Match: Subscribe to iTunes Match - Apple Support

With Apple Music and iTunes Match, it will sync the library across your associated devices. However, once you cancel these services, there may not be a way to sync back the original library unless you set it up on that original computer and re-subscribe to the service. Once you cancel the service, the library is no longer stored by Apple and therefore cannot be synced.

Let us know if this helps out or not, take care.

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Answer 2

mingoslkd

Community Specialist

Sep 7, 2022 10:22 AM in response to Lucasnme123

Hi Lucasnme123,

You can redownload the music you purchased from iTunes or other sources without joining Apple Music. The music does need to exist locally on the device if you don't have Apple Music or iTunes Match. The music from Apple Music subscriptions won't be available if a subscription is not in effect. You can read more here: Redownload music

Redownload music in the iTunes Store app on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

1. Open the iTunes Store app.

• On your iPhone or iPod touch: At the bottom of your screen, tap More , then tap Purchased.

• On your iPad: Tap Purchased.

2. Tap Music. If you use Family Sharing, tap a family member’s name to see music that they purchased.

3. Find the music that you want to redownload, then tap it.

4. Tap the download button next to a song or album.

Don't see the music that you purchased?

Hope this helps.

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Answer 3

Lucasnme123 Author

Level 1

19 points

Sep 6, 2022 03:03 PM in response to destiny241

So bottom line I cannot even access the music I purchased from Apple without having to pay you $10 per month. What an unbelievable racket. I buy the songs, then Apple charges me to access them. I know Apple has these associated with my account because they magically appear when I subscribe to Apple Music but they magically disappear when I don’t subscribe. Can I subscribe to Apple Music, download my music (which will take forever since I have to do it one by one) then stop the subscription and still be able to access them? Where is the music I currently have access to stored? It is not on any computer, just on my phone. Thank you for your help. I appreciate it!

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Answer 4

turingtest2

Level 10

277,717 points

Sep 7, 2022 02:06 PM in response to Lucasnme123

Your iCloud Music library can contain three types of songs, purchased tracks that you can download or stream at any time, matched/uploaded tracks that you can download or stream while you have an active subscription where the downloads will work without a subscription, and Apple Music content that only works while you have a subscription. You should download your purchases and your matched/uploaded tracks, then turn off sync library before you cancel your Apple Music subscription. All you locally stored (non Apple Music DRM) content will remain accessible.

You can select a range of tracks and download in one operation. You might set up a smart playlist of say 100 tracks that are not Apple Music and whose location is in the cloud. You can then use Ctrl+A to select all, right-click, and download that group of 100 tracks. When you can see from the download widget that the operation has completed you can download another 100. Rinse and repeat.

tt2

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