How to reverse Itunes Match?

I use an iphone XS and itunes on PC.

A month ago I activated a trial subscription for Apple Music, used it for the month, then cancelled it.

All the music in my music library is music I own on CDs, that I have put into my iTunes myself.

After I cancelled the Apple Music subscription, I can't play about 80% of my own music library on my phone; when I try, I get the message "iTunes Match required".

I have tried sync'ing the music library from my PC about 10 times now, same result.


What has iTunes match done to deactivate music I physically own, and how do I make it stop?

iPhone XS, iOS 18

Posted on Mar 15, 2025 9:41 AM

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Posted on Mar 16, 2025 7:25 AM

First make sure to turn off Sync Library on your device (see Use Sync Library with your Apple Music subscription - Apple Support). Then take a look at this user tip: If you have music that won't play on your device - Apple Community. I suspect the iTunes Match required message is a similar incorrect error message suggesting the wrong reason for a real issue. Cleaning the music fully off the device before resyncing should resolve things. Failing that a full backup, restore to factory state, restore backup, reload media cycle should sort everything out.


tt2

2 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Mar 16, 2025 7:25 AM in response to StealthPanda

First make sure to turn off Sync Library on your device (see Use Sync Library with your Apple Music subscription - Apple Support). Then take a look at this user tip: If you have music that won't play on your device - Apple Community. I suspect the iTunes Match required message is a similar incorrect error message suggesting the wrong reason for a real issue. Cleaning the music fully off the device before resyncing should resolve things. Failing that a full backup, restore to factory state, restore backup, reload media cycle should sort everything out.


tt2

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How to reverse Itunes Match?

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