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iTunes Match horribly slow lately?

I have been an avid user of Match since its rollout.

Usually, when I add an album to the cloud, it takes all of 1 minute to do.

But this week (though possibly longer, as I haven't been adding much lately) it can take up to 20 minutes to match an album.

It gets through the "gathering info' stage fairly quickly but when it gets to matching the progress bar stalls.


I find it unbearable. Is this a problem with Apple's servers? In other words, is this a widespread problem, or is it just me?

At this rate I'm ready to unsubscribe.


RTW

MacBook Pro with Retina display, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.5)

Posted on Jan 30, 2014 6:18 AM

Reply
64 replies

Jul 10, 2014 3:09 AM in response to andysol

I don't think the match service is the problem; I believe the issue is the horrible itunes program.

I've used match and been very happy with it, but upload times have been very inconsistent; yes, removing the database so it rebuilds it helps every time, but this indicates a problems on the itunes client, not the match service.

I think the real solution is to move away from itunes altogether. In 15 years, Adobe has never managed to get their flash plugin stable, I think it'll be the same with Apple and iTunes.


My match subscription is due for renewal in about 10 days, so I am looking at alternatives; Amazon doesn't seem ready, Google doesn't work here so I'm looking into "Style Jukebox" as on the go streaming (through the phone) and airplay (at home) are requirements for me.

Jul 16, 2014 11:43 AM in response to willfromboston

Okay, willfromboston. I think you have the best workaround posted, as long as I follow your instructions exactly...


Import songs, then stop iTunes Match auto update by clicking the 'x'
Top Menu Bar> Store> Update Genius (wait)

Store> Update iTunes Match (wait)


And BOOM, it's all done in a little while, instead of days. As a music producer I have thousands of songs I've created, which I'm sure drives iTunes Match crazy. So even with a big chaotic library this workaround is effective. Thank you 🙂

Jul 17, 2014 9:36 AM in response to Bob Lyons

It has nothing to do with the size of your collection. My work laptop has *no* local music, because all my music is at home and I get it through Match. Still, when Match updates, it gets stuck at "sending information to Apple" for hours or days. I tried the Genius trick. It got through the "sending..." part in a flash and is now stuck in the "waiting for results..." part. We'll see how long that takes.


It's just a broken system that Apple is not particularly interested in fixing.

Jul 19, 2014 9:29 PM in response to ejpre

Same here in Sydney Australia. Tried the fix yesterday and it worked sort of, after a while. Tried it again today and it didn't. I get network timeout after about 30 mins. Very disappointing after previously enjoying the service since it started. Is Apple moving out of this space? Is Apple going to concentrate more on the new music streaming business it has recently purchased from the acquisition of 'Beats'? I'm actually surprised that it is 'allowed' to take people's money and not offer the service.

Jul 22, 2014 4:58 AM in response to davidezp

I'm asking myself why Apple doesn't answer or try to fix this enormous and shameful bug. This conversation has been going on for seven months and never happened. Apple simply ignore ours protests and reports, and iTunes Match continue to be an unbelievable slow ****. We are paying for a service that doesn't work. If someone is giving thought to a class action, I'll play the game too.

Jul 25, 2014 10:34 AM in response to texforum

Hi - I've just had amazing speed results using a wired connection. (Thunderbolt to Gig Ethernet adapter to usual Ethernet port at work, nothing really fast). Is the problem the wireless access? I was having the "days to update" problem but now it is doing it in 2 minutes, including weird stuff from Soundcloud. I agree a wired connection is not convenient, but if you get a chance try it.

Jul 25, 2014 10:49 AM in response to lex4i

lex4i wrote:


Hi - I've just had amazing speed results using a wired connection. (Thunderbolt to Gig Ethernet adapter to usual Ethernet port at work, nothing really fast). Is the problem the wireless access? I was having the "days to update" problem but now it is doing it in 2 minutes, including weird stuff from Soundcloud. I agree a wired connection is not convenient, but if you get a chance try it.


I think at one point it was thought to be connection or router (settings) related but I am hard wired in and have been from the onset of this and continue to have problems.


The general consensus is this is either a) an issue with the latest version(s) of iTunes or b) an issue with Apple's servers or c) both A & B.


SCR

Aug 14, 2014 4:50 PM in response to Spinningwoman

I found a faster way to get matched songs on to iPhone. Once the new songs are matched in iTunes, on your phone

1. exit Music app,

2. from settings disable iTunes match for music.

3. Power off iPhone and power it back on.

4. Do not start the music app yet.

5. In settings for Music, enable iTunes Match.

6. Open Music app, it will start matching and depending on where you are (wifi best), u will have all your songs from iCloud on your music app.

Sep 19, 2014 10:13 AM in response to RTW's

Problem is that not all of us could switch to another servise, as on iPad you can upload songs only with iTunes or enabling iTunes Match isn't a change to use google play or other services if you're on iPad...


for me, iTunes Match is the solely option as I'm using iPad for little Gigs and I need it as an online Big Music Library where to choose the right track to mix 🙂


please APPLE, fix this or give us the ability to use Google Play instead of iTunes Match on iPad.

iTunes Match horribly slow lately?

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