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User profile for user: Community User
Community User Author

Clarification Needed on iCloud Music Library Uploads vs. Apple Digital Masters

I need help understanding the nature of the files in my iCloud Music Library. I've uploaded a CD that I personally ripped to my iCloud, but when I view the album on my iPhone within Apple Music and it shows as "Apple Digital Master." I am looking to clarify if the files I'm streaming are the ones I uploaded or if they have been replaced by Apple's high-quality digital masters. Can someone explain how Apple Music handles personal uploads versus their own masters and how to identify which version I am listening to?

Posted on Nov 7, 2023 4:38 PM

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User profile for user: Steve Martin7
Steve Martin7
User level: Level 2
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Posted on Nov 9, 2023 2:18 PM

Just the way it is. The matching algorithm isn’t perfect. Some get matched some get uploaded on the same album almost all the time (especially in older releases). Glad I was able to figure out what caused the labeling. We see the same thing with Dolby Atmos releases that don’t get the tag unless every track is Dolby Atmos and there are often bonus tracks etc. that are not so the whole album loses the badge.

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User profile for user: Steve Martin7
Steve Martin7
User level: Level 2
214 points

Nov 9, 2023 2:18 PM in response to Community User

Just the way it is. The matching algorithm isn’t perfect. Some get matched some get uploaded on the same album almost all the time (especially in older releases). Glad I was able to figure out what caused the labeling. We see the same thing with Dolby Atmos releases that don’t get the tag unless every track is Dolby Atmos and there are often bonus tracks etc. that are not so the whole album loses the badge.

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User profile for user: Community User
Community User Author

Nov 9, 2023 6:13 AM in response to Steve Martin7

But the albums that don’t show up as “Apple digital master” on the music app do actually have the digital master sticker on iTunes.


the great escape by Blur for example is an Apple digital master in the store. It’s also matched in my library but doesn’t say digital master in the app on my phone

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User profile for user: Community User
Community User Author

Nov 8, 2023 3:30 AM in response to picas

It says "matched", but so do the 4 other CDs I've ripped and the music app doesn't say "Apple digital master" for those.

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User profile for user: Community User
Community User Author

Nov 9, 2023 2:14 PM in response to Steve Martin7

My bad- they in fact do appear as “uploaded” on certain tracks so you have explained this. But my next questions is, is this expected behaviour? Why hasn’t it matched across the entire album?

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Clarification Needed on iCloud Music Library Uploads vs. Apple Digital Masters

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