User profile for user: Xcapee
Xcapee Author
User level: Level 1
6 points

iTunes Match / Apple Music / Apple One and DRM

I have seen various questions where the response has been that you don't need iTunes Match because Apple Music has all that functionality, so if you have Apple One, you can cancel iTunes Match.


What I haven't seen is anyone able to explain the DRM situation. It was my understanding that Apple Music contains Apple's DRM, where as ripped music replaced by Apple's high quality encoded versions does NOT have DRM.


If I cancel my iTunes match service...

  1. what happens to my existing tracks that are currently not DRM if I download them from iCloud to a device
  2. what happens to new tracks I upload - are the replaces with high quality version WITHOUT DRM?
  3. Will at any stage, for any reason, tracks that I have that do not have DRM be replaced by versions that include DRM?
  4. If I later cancel my iTunes music service, will the tracks I already own be available to me via iCloud?


Ideally if anyone can point to where this is explained in official Apple documentation that would be helpful.


Thanks

Posted on Feb 24, 2022 9:37 PM

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User profile for user: Jimzgoldfinch
Jimzgoldfinch
User level: Level 7
28,621 points

Posted on Feb 25, 2022 5:27 AM

Hi,

The match function in Apple Music works the same as iTunes Match. In the early days of Apple Music there were issues regarding DRM being applied to some matched tracks. This is no longer an issue.


Existing matched can still be downloaded as 256 Kbps AAC tracks that are DRM free but with Apple Music you can now opt to download or stream existing matched tracks as lossless or hi-res but will have DRM. Not all matched tracks available.


DRM is only applied to lossless or hi-res versions.


New matched tracks will be same as before - you will be able to upgrade lower bit rate tracks to 256 Kbps. Like existing tracks lossless and hi-res versions may be available.


If you cancel your music subscription, you will lose access to the iCloud music library. If you are going to unsubscribe, you should make sure that all your music has been downloaded. In any event you should keep a separate backup on an external drive.


Jim

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User profile for user: Jimzgoldfinch
Jimzgoldfinch
User level: Level 7
28,621 points

Feb 25, 2022 5:27 AM in response to Xcapee

Hi,

The match function in Apple Music works the same as iTunes Match. In the early days of Apple Music there were issues regarding DRM being applied to some matched tracks. This is no longer an issue.


Existing matched can still be downloaded as 256 Kbps AAC tracks that are DRM free but with Apple Music you can now opt to download or stream existing matched tracks as lossless or hi-res but will have DRM. Not all matched tracks available.


DRM is only applied to lossless or hi-res versions.


New matched tracks will be same as before - you will be able to upgrade lower bit rate tracks to 256 Kbps. Like existing tracks lossless and hi-res versions may be available.


If you cancel your music subscription, you will lose access to the iCloud music library. If you are going to unsubscribe, you should make sure that all your music has been downloaded. In any event you should keep a separate backup on an external drive.


Jim

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iTunes Match / Apple Music / Apple One and DRM

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