iCloud library limit, is it possible to exclude downloads from iCloud to free up space?

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iCloud library limit, is it possible to exclude downloads from iCloud to free up space?

I hit the iCloud library limit of 100,000 songs today. I use Apple Music on my phone, and iTunes on my PC.

I don't need all of my music to be available on my phone.

In the past, my PC's HDD died, so I restored from my iCloud library (including a bunch of stuff that's not available on streaming), so currently none of it is downloaded on my PC. I'm currently redownloading it all.

Is there a way once I've downloaded my iCloud library, I can select some songs to exclude from the iCloud library, but keep them in my iTunes, so that I have space for more music?

I'm at a loss and it's the second time I've suffered one of these arbitrary library limits (the first one pushing me out of using my iPod classic).

Windows, Windows 10

Posted on Feb 23, 2026 10:10 AM

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Answer 1

eebledeezo Author

Level 1

4 points

Mar 3, 2026 1:17 PM in response to eebledeezo

I've experimented with making a second iTunes Library on my PC with (very) limited success; the files for songs that were in my Library BEFORE I started using Apple Music (m4a) will play in the second library BUT I lose all the metadata; plays, song ratings etc (presumably this is stored in the Library file rather than the files themselves?). The files that I've added since using Apple Music are useless (m4p).

I'm struggling to find an answer and it's looking more and more likely that ditching Apple and going old school is the answer. Very frustrating that these limitations exist and are seemingly impossible to get around.

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iCloud library limit, is it possible to exclude downloads from iCloud to free up space?

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