HT204146: Subscribe to iTunes Match

Learn about Subscribe to iTunes Match
Brownie1946

Q: Why is iTunes Match necessary?

What if I already have all of my songs on my computer and would prefer to transfer them to my iPhone manually? Why am I being required to use iTunes Match when I already have all the available storage space on my phone to transfer the music permanently? I wouldn't have bought the 128GB iPhone if I new this was mandatory to listen to music I already own. Losing my 160GB Classic iPod is looking like the biggest mistake I've made this year.

iPhone 6, iOS 9.1

Posted on Oct 31, 2015 4:31 PM

Close

Q: Why is iTunes Match necessary?

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by steellogic,

    steellogic steellogic Oct 31, 2015 10:40 PM in response to Brownie1946
    Level 1 (9 points)
    Mac OS X
    Oct 31, 2015 10:40 PM in response to Brownie1946

    You don't need to enable iTunes Match on your phone to benefit from the iTunes Match service.

    Personally, I only have it enabled on my computer and do exactly what you do, manually transfer music via. iTunes. I do find iTunes Match more annoying on iPhone and iPad, but it still is an amazing service.

     

    Why use iTunes Match?

    Several benefits:

    1. Upgrade your library -  It matches most of the songs in your library with the iTunes store version (when your entire library has been updated with iTunes Match, you can re-download all your music to get the iTunes store version). Any songs it is unable to match will be uploaded. When you re-download your library, you can see how many songs 'matched' by enabling the 'kind' section in iTunes (in song list view)

    2. Backs up your entire music library - if anything happens, you know all your music is safe and accessible by logging into any computer with iTunes and turning on iTunes Match. It will also preserve playlists, song count and other metadata if you do not turn off iTunes Match on your main computer.

    3. DRM free music - unlike Apple Music subscription, your music will all be DRM free when you download it. This means that you can use any of your tracks (matched or not) with other services besides iTunes. I sync my entire music library to a network drive to use with my sonos sound system. Works perfectly. The music is not locked with the subscription, so if you are to cancel your subscription in the future, your music will always play.

     

    Hope that helps.