Benefits of Apple Music Match?

There is no such things as "Apple Music Match". There's "iTunes Match" and the Apple Music subscription service iCloud Music Library feature.

Either one will match or upload a song in your library. Wether it matches or uploads depends on whether not the song can be found and matched to an item in the iTunes Store catalog or Apple Music catalog.

If the song cannot be matched, then it is uploaded as is with whatever bit rate it has.

It it was matched, and there is a 256kbps version in Apple's catalog, it can be redownloaded at 256kbps.

It Apple does not have a 256kbps version of the song, then it will offer whoever version it has at whatever bit rate it is available.

The local copy of the song on the computer will not be altered. You would need to delete it from the computer and then download it from the service to get the upgraded copy if available.

Yes you do. Apple Music will not upload or match content it doesnt have. To quote another thread from about a 2 years ago or so "You should only have iTunes Match if you have content within your iTunes Library that has been added from outside sources, imported, burned, etc, and if you wish to have the ability to have that content uploaded into the cloud to appear on all devices signed in with your Apple ID.

If you do not have any of the referenced content types above, and your Library only includes content downloaded from your active Apple Music subscription, I would recommend cancelling iTunes Match."

If I subscribe to Apple Music do I still … - Apple Community

Hi,

One of the benefits of iTunes Match was the ability to upgrade low bit rate tracks that were matched to 256 Kbps. Apple uses sound fingerprinting technology to identify tracks. The majority of the tracks are matched if they are in Apple’s servers. The process is not perfect and sometimes tracks that you think would be matched are uploaded instead.

There a number of reasons for this including Fault in the track , original track v remastered track or different version. For example, Al Stewart track Year of the Cat - I have a few different versions - an edited track from from a compilation album was uploaded.

Jim

Above you say "It it was matched, and there is a 256kbps version in Apple's catalog, it can be redownloaded at 256kbps."

I too thought Match updated matched tunes to the best quality in the Apple library to my local library.

Assuming you stated If, how do I "redownload" all the lesser versions to update them.

If it is necessary for me to identify the lesser versions in my library, how do I sort my library to select to download all the updated versions available? I've been using Match for so long that updated versions are available due to better CD import options.

Hi,

To identity matched tracks that have not been updated, I suggest that you create a smart playlist based on “iCloud status = Matched” and “bit rate is less than 256 Kbps”. Now select all tracks and from pop up text box select remove download then download.

Jim

Joseph Kannry wrote:

Yes you do. Apple Music will not upload or match content it doesnt have.

This is incorrect. Apple Music will upload anything it cannot match with some restrictions.

The limit used to be 200MB or 4.5 hours long, but it appears to have been increased, though no specific size or length is provided by Apple.