Q: iTunes Match horribly slow lately?

Will's "Genius" workaround worked for me too.  Why can't Apple just update Genius when you click "update iTunes Match" and fix this themself?

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.

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

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.

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.

me too!!!

Very annoying

I am in Melbourne Australia.

Well, it doesn't seem to be working for me, still very slow!!!

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.

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.

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

Willfromboston, you have saved my sanity - trying to upload a few tiny little clips to use in an exercise timer on an iphone running itunes match!  Your Genius workaround for itunes match is the biz.

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.

I had the same problem from April to June (approximately), but lately the matching speed is up again. UK user.

Have tried speaking with the Customer Service by then, they were completely useless.

Works great.  I just added 10K songs from an old hard drive to my new Macbook Pro Retina 15" and I set it to update iTunes match before I went to bed.  When I awoke it was in the exact same place "Sending to Apple" but the workaround already has "Matching your music with songs in the iTunes Store..."