Greetings.
Reading this article
http://www.imore.com/apple-music-vs-itunes-match-whats-difference
has left me just as confused.
My yearly automatic subscription to iTunes Match kicks in Nov. 5th and since I am also a subscriber to Apple Music, do I need iTunes Match? I'd like a straightforward answer to my question and also to the difference between the two services. Thank you in advance for your prompt response(s).
MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.7.5)
HI,
THis is Apples support doc iCloud Music Library: Understanding differences between Apple Music and iTunes Match - Apple Support
Jim
HI,
THis is Apples support doc iCloud Music Library: Understanding differences between Apple Music and iTunes Match - Apple Support
Jim
Thanks, Jim. What I am trying to comprehend is what will be the negative consequences (if any) should I decide not to renew my iTunes Match subscription. I have been an iTunes Match subscriber since the start of that service. Likewise with Apple Music. In other words, if I don't renew IM, will I lose any music? Will I still be able to find uploaded but *unmatched* tracks across my Apple devices?
I am quite surprised and frustrated that no one with deep knowledge of iTunes Match and Apple Music has taken the initiative to answer my questions. I repeat:
What I am trying to comprehend is what will be the negative consequences (if any) should I decide not to renew my iTunes Match subscription. I have been an iTunes Match subscriber since the start of that service. Likewise with Apple Music. In other words, if I don't renew iTunes Match, will I lose any music? Will I still be able to find uploaded but *unmatched* tracks across my Apple devices?
HI,
if you discontinue itunes Match, you should not lose any music. You keep your music in your iTunes library, this includes all your original tracks and all tracks that you upgraded using match. In addition you should maintain a separate back up as a matter of course.
Here is another article worth reading lhttp://www.macworld.com/article/2943703/how-itunes-match-and-apple-music-work-to gether.htmlp
http://www.mcelhearn.com/apple-music-matches-files-with-metadata-only-not-acoust ic-fingerprinting/
Jim
Jim, thank you once more. I must be a bit dense because I am still lost on iTM vs AM. No matter, last night I cancelled my iTM auto-renewal slated for Nov. 5. I jotted down my iTunes stats (# of tracks, library size, etc.) hoping it all stays the same after Nov. 5. Being a subscriber to AM at $9.99/month and assuming that AM duplicates (notice I didn't write complements) the iTM service (aside from DRM), I don't see why I should be handing an additional $24.99/year to Apple for redundancy. I hope I didn't make a mistake. And utter shame on Apple for refusing to spell out in layman's English what people like me who have iTM and also AM should expect if they give up iTM (while retaining AM).
Hi,
Both Apple music and iTunes match are similar in that they scan you iTunes library to determine what can be matched or needs to be uploaded. You can then access the music across your other devices.
The main differences are:
At the end of the day, it is your decision but if you have your original music on your hard drive and maintain a separate back up and you don't need to worry about upgrading your tracks, you probably don't need iTunes Match.
Personally, I use both although my match subscription is not due until April
Jim
@ohneSchatten, I must be a bit dense as well - because like you, I still am not 100% sure what happens (or doesn't happen) once I cancel my iTM subscription as a current AM user. I wish I'd seen your post earlier, as I just opened a thread containing pretty much the same questions here:
Questions about canceling iTunes Match (Apple Music user)
I'd love to know if you did experience any issues after November 5 and if your library was affected in any way. I'm mainly worried that something might get screwed up (I have invested an enormous amount of time into adding custom artwork, lyrics and metadata to my files over the last decade) and the thing I read about the different catalogues for AM and iTM confuses me as well. I understand that all the tracks that were matched, subsequently deleted and then re-downloaded as DRM free AAC versions should remain unchanged and I guess the same is true for my uploaded CD rips. Can you still access all your tracks on all your devices just like before? Did you notice any differences regarding your music files / iCloud Status / artwork / metadata / etc. in your iTunes library?
I agree that Apple could have done a better job at explaining in clear language what's going to happen if long time iTM users cancel their sub. I've read a bunch of articles about the subject but none of them clearly stated "this is what's happening to your library when you cancel iTM." So now I hope you can tell me, so that I can make an informed decision 😉 Thanks in advance!
Hello, sweet-jane. It has been three days since I let go of my iTM renewal and I haven't noticed any changes. But then I am honestly afraid to find out any skeletons and what may happen as Apple servers catch up with my music library behind the scenes over the next few days or weeks? It gives me some momentary minor comfort to report that my Beatles albums remain propagated and playable throughout my devices. None of these albums have a match in Apple Music, as we know. But were they matched in iTunes Match (since it has been argued their collection is significantly larger than AM's)? How can I find out?
I've been researching this question and came across this article...not sure if it answers your questions entirely but I thought it was well written:
http://www.citymac.com/blog/2015/07/02/whats-the-difference-between-apple-music- and-itunes-match
Difference between iTunes Match and Apple Music?
