How to disable Genius entirely in iTunes 10.7?

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Level 1

27 points

How to disable Genius entirely in iTunes 10.7?

I never use Genius, and it's starting to get on my nerves how long it takes to sync my iPhone due to Genius features that I don't even use. I just want to disable Genius entirely. According to Google, it's as simple as clicking "Store" in the menu bar and choosing "Turn Off Genius." However, that option is not present on my iTunes (version 10.7). The only Genius option available under Store is "Update Genius." See screenshot:

UPDATE: I just noticed that if I turn off iTunes Match, the option to turn off Genius appears under the Store menu. Does this mean that I am forced to use Genius if I am using iTunes Match? As soon as I turn iTunes Match back on, the menu changes to the one in the screenshot above (even though I chose "Turn Off Genius" when iTunes Match was turned off).

Anyone know how to entirely disable Genius?

Thanks!

Joey

Posted on Sep 22, 2012 7:40 AM

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Answer 1

Sep 25, 2012 4:29 AM in response to HeroBoy

Apparently iTunes Match requires that Genius be turned on.

In my opinion that really stinks. I like the idea of iTunes Match because I have a backup of my entire library in the cloud so I don't need to worry about extra backups but this Genius crap is for the birds. I am paying $25.00 a year so I should be able to choose what features that I want to use or not to use. I now have almost 1100 songs that will sync Genius Data every time I sync both my iphone and ipod touch. If I turn off iTunes Match and then I can trun off Genius and it stops. Turn it back on and it goes right back to the same thing.

I would love to hear if anyone has solved this.

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Answer 2

Hank M

Level 1

0 points

Oct 3, 2012 7:07 AM in response to mspringfield

The Genius function is required with iTunes Match.

I was having the same problem with really laggy start up times for iTunes as well and figured the Genius sync as my number one suspect (hence the reason I found this thread). On a hunch, I tried something that seems to have helped significantly.

- Go to the iTunes Store and SIGN OUT of your account. (be patient)

- Select the "Store" menu and turn Genius ON and let it complete it's sync. (you'll be asked to authenticate)

- Turn iTunes Match back ON. (you'll again be asked to authenticate. be patient)

Overall, it appears to take much less time for iTunes to sort out things for me now. I've got 22K songs in the cloud and it took under a minute for iTunes Match to get rolling once Genius was running prior to activating Match.

It's a pretty harmless fix to try. Hope it works for you too.

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Answer 3

Bobsax

Level 1

73 points

Oct 6, 2012 5:32 PM in response to Hank M

My ipod tuch takes forever to sync now because of Genius. This probably has something to do with the lateset IOS because it wasnt as bad before I updated.

The whole Genius thing has always bothered me. It's just another sneeky way for Apple to look at your music library.( Getting album art was another ploy before Genius came around)

It will evevtually bite us in the bottom.No doubt they'll use the information to charge us for something.

One thing I'm sure they discoverd is how many people with huge librarys didn't buy them at the iTunes store.

That said I was willing to trade my privacy for iTunes Match. It's one of the best products Apple has.

I hope they don't raise the price.

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Answer 4

Dec 13, 2012 6:57 AM in response to HeroBoy

I conur Genius is terrible!!! I have every song (~6000) synced with both my ipad and iphone5 and yet everytime is takes over 10 minutes and syncs over 3000 genius items?! What is it doing? It can sync in entier 2GB movie in less then a minute but spends 10 to sync "Genius Items". Terrible terrible terrible.

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