iTunes Match and Syncing question

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iTunes Match and Syncing question

I have a few questions about iTunes match.

If I setup iTunes match on my Windows machine, the documentations says iOS devices I sync to the cloud library will have all their locally stored songs deleted and replaced with the new synced library. Will the entire library contents be physically copied to each iOS device or just a library listing? I want to make sure I won’t have to have an internet connection every time I want to listen to music on my iOS devices once the sync is complete.

Will the entire library be copied to my iOS devices, including matched songs and uploaded music that wasn’t matched?

If I have music ripped at 320kbps and it’s matched, what quality version will be synced to my iOS devices?

Posted on Jul 8, 2023 7:39 AM

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Answer 1

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turingtest2

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Jul 8, 2023 12:09 PM in response to Paul_NC

When you use iCloud Music Library as part of either Apple Music or iTunes Match you can choose for each library or device whether or not Sync Library (AKA iCloud Music Library) is enabled. You can also choose whether content that isn't already stored locally is downloaded or left in the cloud so it can be streamed on demand. Matched music will be delivered at 256K AAC. (Apple Music often has lossless versions.) Uploaded tracks will either be the original file, or sometimes a downsampled 256K AAC version.

tt2

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Answer 2

turingtest2

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Jul 9, 2023 4:01 PM in response to Paul_NC

Once Sync Library is enabled you should get access to a control for automatic downloads. See Add music to iPhone and listen offline – Apple Support for example.

tt2

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Answer 3

Paul_NC Author

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Jul 9, 2023 4:35 PM in response to turingtest2

I appreciate your assistance with this. It looks like as I add music to my library after enabling the service, that this control will then trigger a download. But what about when I first enable matching? Is there a way to force a download of my entire library? I currently have about 2000 CDs ripped and am considering using this to avoid having to plug a cable in and manually sync my iPhone and iPad. It’s not really feasible to manually download songs or CDs after playing them.

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Answer 4

turingtest2

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274,276 points

Jul 10, 2023 2:40 AM in response to Paul_NC

If existing content doesn't download automatically after enabling Sync Library and turning on automatic downloads then you can use the three dots menu in any playlist to download all items in that list.

tt2

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Answer 5

Paul_NC Author

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Jul 9, 2023 6:47 AM in response to turingtest2

Where is the setting for choosing whether the content is actually stored on my iOS devices vs. available on-demand? All I see is a single setting to “sync library”.

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iTunes Match and Syncing question

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