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Apple Music - Stream or from library?

Hi,

I recently signed up for Apple music and have been enjoying it. I have a question. When I select a Playlist it has created for me, 1/2 the songs are already on my phone and the other 1/2, I know it has to stream. I'm keeping an eye on my cellular data usage... When Apple music is playing a playlist, if it sees I have the song already on my phone, is it smart enough to play that copy and not stream that song?


Thank you.

iPhone 7, iOS 14

Posted on Mar 25, 2021 8:16 AM

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Mar 30, 2021 3:11 PM in response to Dshow

Hi Dshow,


Thanks for the follow up!


You can look for these symbols next to the song in the playlist to determine where it is coming from:


This symbol next to the song will mean you do not have it added to your library or downloaded to the device, so it is streaming from the Apple Music catalog.


This symbol next to a song will mean you have it added to your library but not downloaded directly to the device, so it will stream from the Apple Music catalog. Tapping this cloud icon will download the file directly to your device.


If there is no or icon next to a song, this will mean you have it downloaded directly to your device, and it will play from that local file, not stream.


Add and download music from Apple Music


We hope this helps. Cheers!


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Mar 26, 2021 9:44 AM in response to Dshow

Hi Dshow,


We understand you have questions about downloaded music from Apple Music. We're happy to help.


When you're playing items in the Music app, it will play from wherever the file source is. So for example if you have a playlist that's a mix of items from the Apple Music catalog and items you have downloaded for offline play, the songs that are not downloaded directly to your device will stream. The songs that have been downloaded directly to the device, will play from that local file and not require an active internet connection to play.


You can find more info on downloading files from the Apple Music catalog here: Add and download music from Apple Music


We hope this helps. Cheers!

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Apple Music - Stream or from library?

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