Apple Music deleting my files from my Max XS

Hi BravoSherpa,

We understand you've set up the Apple Music service and would like to download the files from the catalog directly to your device. We'd be happy to help.

Out of default the Apple Music service works over streaming. When you play something directly in the catalog, or add it to your library it will be streamed unless you download it directly to your device for offline play by pressing the cloud icon.

If you would like the items you add to your library from the Apple Music catalog to be automatically downloaded, you can enable that setting by navigating to Settings > Music, and turning on the Automatic Downloads option.

You can find more thorough information on the Apple Music service here: Add and download music from Apple Music or buy music from the iTunes Store

We hope this helps. Take care!

Hi BravoSherpa,

We understand you have further questions about migrating to the Apple Music service. We're happy to further assist.

So it sounds like you had music files on your device prior to signing up for the Apple Music service. Then after changing over to the Apple Music service the items you already had show the cloud icon next to them. You'd also like to know why you have to re-download them. Those are all great questions we're happy to address.

When you use the Apple Music service, your library is loaded "to the cloud" this means that your library is all synced with iCloud so it is the same across all devices you use Apple Music on. When you set up the Apple Music service it will match items you have with the ones that are available in the catalog, and if an item is not available from the Apple Music catalog, it will be uploaded directly to your cloud library. As for downloading, you absolutely do not have to download them. They're available in your cloud library and you can just select the songs to start playing. If you would like to download items directly to your device so they are available to play when you do not have an internet connection, you can certainly tap the cloud icon to download them directly to your device.

Now for your second question/issue, it sounds like your library may still be syncing or in the process of migrating to the Apple Music streaming service. If you're getting an error that some of your devices aren't synced, we'd recommend making sure you have the "Sync Library" option enabled on all your devices. On iOS devices you can find this in Settings > Music. In Music or iTunes on a computer you can find this in Preferences > General tab.

Turn on Sync Library with Apple Music

Since you're new to the Apple Music streaming service, you can also find many helpful articles on how the service works here: Music Support

Thanks for contacting Apple Support Communities!

Hi BravoSherpa,

We're happy to continue answering questions.

In regards to your question of why, the simple answer is, that is the way the Apple Music service is designed. Apple Music is designed primarily as a streaming service, when you set up the service it will migrate your current library to that format. We do understand there are still some customers that prefer to store music files directly to their device storage, and that is why the Automatic Downloads option in the Music settings exists.

If you'd like to suggest changes to the way the Apple Music service is designed or works, you can submit that feedback to Apple engineers here: Apple Music Feedback

Now what is this exact error message you're getting when trying to play music from the Apple Music service?

Were you able to turn on the Sync Music option on all of your devices?

You also mentioned some sort of error about authorized devices. If you need to authorize or deauthorize a computer for the iTunes Store, you can find those steps here: Authorize or deauthorize your computer for iTunes Store purchases