HT204146: Subscribe to iTunes Match

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Aron Trauring
Level 1 (9 points)
iTunes

Q: Should I renew iTunes Match if I subscribe to Apple Music

My iTunes Match subscription comes up for renewal in two weeks.

 

If I understand correctly iCloud Music Library is now part of the Apple Music subscription. So there are a bunch of questions:

 

1. Are there any features in the iTunes Match subscription that are not included in Apple Music subscription?

2. If I don't renew the iTunes Match will the transition take place smoothly or will I lose all the music in the iCloud Music Library and have to redo the upload?

3. Are there any other issues/problems/concerns I should be worrying about?

Posted on Aug 24, 2016 1:46 AM

by Jimzgoldfinch,Solvedanswer
Jimzgoldfinch Jimzgoldfinch
Level 6 (9,039 points)
iTunes
A:

Hi,

  1. IiTunes Match has an annual subscription whereas Apple Music has a monthly subscription. Both products scan your iTunes library to determine what can be matched and what needs to be uploaded. The matching process is now the same for both. With Apple Music, you get access Apple Musics library where you can stream or download as long as you have an active subscription.
  2. Subscribe to Apple Music now and turn off auto renew. Your library has already been matched so the transition should be seamless. I subscribe to both at present and intend to turn off iTunes Match auto renew
  3. Keep a backup of your music just in case things go wrong

JIm

Posted on Aug 24, 2016 2:48 AM

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Aron Trauring

Q: Should I renew iTunes Match if I subscribe to Apple Music

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Jimzgoldfinch,Solvedanswer

    Jimzgoldfinch Jimzgoldfinch Aug 24, 2016 2:48 AM in response to Aron Trauring
    Level 6 (9,039 points)
    iTunes
    Aug 24, 2016 2:48 AM in response to Aron Trauring

    Hi,

    1. IiTunes Match has an annual subscription whereas Apple Music has a monthly subscription. Both products scan your iTunes library to determine what can be matched and what needs to be uploaded. The matching process is now the same for both. With Apple Music, you get access Apple Musics library where you can stream or download as long as you have an active subscription.
    2. Subscribe to Apple Music now and turn off auto renew. Your library has already been matched so the transition should be seamless. I subscribe to both at present and intend to turn off iTunes Match auto renew
    3. Keep a backup of your music just in case things go wrong

    JIm

  • by Aron Trauring,

    Aron Trauring Aron Trauring Sep 4, 2016 12:29 PM in response to Aron Trauring
    Level 1 (9 points)
    iTunes
    Sep 4, 2016 12:29 PM in response to Aron Trauring

    Actually after discussing this with Apple Support I learned of one subtle but important difference:

     

    iTunes Match allows you to download content uploaded from one computer to multiple computers and devices, but if you remove iTunes Match and use Apple Music, you would lose access to any content not on the device when you cancel your Apple Music subscription.

     

    This is explained on the Apple website here but the difference is so subtle you have to read it three times to pick it up:

     

    iCloud Music Library: Understanding differences between Apple Music and iTunes Match - Apple Support

     

    In essence iTunes Match is like every other iCloud service - you put your Library in the Cloud and you can permanently download it to any and all your Apple devices. The matching capabilities in Apple Music are more a convenience - they allow you see use your own Music collection and playlist - but only as streaming content and as long as you subscribe to Apple Music.

     

    In either case, to avoid the scary scenarios people have been having, you should always back up your music collection to somewhere not iCloud - Dropbox comes to mind

     

    In any case, I am keeping both.

  • by Jimzgoldfinch,Helpful

    Jimzgoldfinch Jimzgoldfinch Sep 5, 2016 2:04 AM in response to Aron Trauring
    Level 6 (9,039 points)
    iTunes
    Sep 5, 2016 2:04 AM in response to Aron Trauring

    Aron Trauring wrote:

     

     

    iTunes Match allows you to download content uploaded from one computer to multiple computers and devices, but if you remove iTunes Match and use Apple Music, you would lose access to any content not on the device when you cancel your Apple Music subscription.

     

     

    Hi,

    This is not true:

         Quote: "We make these matched songs available to your other computers or devices in high quality 256 Kbps AAC, and they can be played on them only while your Apple Music membership is active."

     

    This should not affect the music already on your main computer. You only lose access to music downloaded from Apple Music. Any music that had been downloaded on other devices would have DRM and would be lost should you cancel your subscription to Apple Music.

     

    The support document referenced has not been updated to reflect the recent changes made to Apple Music. Essential Apple Music now uses the same matching process as iTunes Match. Therefore DRM should not be added to your own music. Read this article http://www.macworld.com/article/3093473/streaming-services/apple-improves-icloud -music-library-matching-ditches-drm-files-for-apple-music.html

     

    I understand your concern and you should keep iTunes Match for the time being but in the long run you should not need to subscribe to both. Essentially iTunes Match and Apple music now offer the same matching functionality but Apple Music for a monthly subscription gives you more - including access to music in Apple Music library which can be streamed or downloaded.

     

    Jim

  • by Aron Trauring,

    Aron Trauring Aron Trauring Sep 5, 2016 2:32 AM in response to Jimzgoldfinch
    Level 1 (9 points)
    iTunes
    Sep 5, 2016 2:32 AM in response to Jimzgoldfinch

    To give the Apple Support person the benefit of the doubt, the Macworld article says this change is "being rolled out" so it's unclear if it applies yet to my specific account. So better to advise caution on their part. but thanks for your reply.ill keep an eye on the situation& perhaps cancel next year.