Data usage while playing stored music

Question

Data usage while playing stored music

There appears to be no way to stop Apple Music from streaming: I have 1000+ tracks saved to device, songs restricted to "Showing only music on this device", every track has the little rectangle symbol beside the track length & the settings Download Only on WiFi = ON, Use cellular Data = OFF. Every track has the option to "Remove Download", yet each track played uses about 4MB of data & sure enough, if I put the phone into airplane mode or activate a firewall Apple music just sits there spinning until it reports an error due to being offline. I could forgive the app needing to immediately upload play stats and the like, but there's no excuse for data usage like that.

I thought this could be related to Apples failure to allow SD card storage, however a recent upgrade to Android 6 (which treats SD as internal memory) has not fixed the issue.

Other OS, null

Posted on Jan 11, 2016 10:52 PM

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Answer 1

norm123

Community Specialist

Jan 13, 2016 7:56 AM in response to RubyDoobieDoo

Hello Ruby,
I understand that you are having issues with Apple Music on your Android phone. If the songs are not showing as downloaded, then you might want to clear the cache first and then try the download before streaming the songs. Take look at the article below for that and some additional troubleshooting for the app.
Get help with the beta of Apple Music on Android
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT205366
Take care

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Answer 2

Jan 13, 2016 10:28 AM in response to norm123

Thank you for your reply.

But, as I stated, the track ARE showing as downloaded. I have the option to remove the downloads. The downloaded icon is present on every track. The app is "Showing only music on this device".

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Answer 3

norm123

Community Specialist

Jan 13, 2016 10:34 AM in response to RubyDoobieDoo

Hey Ruby,
To me it sounds like the tracks aren'y fully downloaded and that is why you can'y play them when you are in Airplane mode. That is why i suggested to clear the cache and downloading the tracks again. At this point I would recommend contact Apple Support on this and you can start that process by using the link below.
Contact Apple Support
https://www.apple.com/support/contact/
Take it easy

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Answer 4

Jan 13, 2016 11:54 AM in response to norm123

Not sure how to force a cache wipe, if there's a option to do it within the app I haven't seen it. However I've had this problem on three different installs of three different Android platforms (Omega, BlissPop and now CM13) with a full SD format between - so I think that probably covered it.

I'll remove all the "downloaded" tracks and try again. Perhaps you are right and they aren't individually complete - I see how it goes downloading tracks individually instead of by playlist

Just to confirm - are you saying that Apple music SHOULD run in airplane mode / no data access? that would be easier (and cheaper) to verify than monitoring data usage...

Thanks

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Answer 5

norm123

Community Specialist

Jan 13, 2016 12:05 PM in response to RubyDoobieDoo

Hi Ruby,
It wouldn't be within the app but the Application Manager on your Android Phone. I have outlined the specific steps for clearing the cache below.
Get help with the beta of Apple Music on Android
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT205366

Clear the app cache

From the Home screen, tap Apps.

Tap Settings.

Scroll down to Applications and tap "Application manager."

Tap Apple Music.

Tap Clear Cache.

Return to the Home screen or your application list, and reopen Apple Music.

If the issues persist, restart your phone.

To answer the question about playing in airplane mode, the songs would have to be downloaded for offline use to be able to play. This is for when you are in an area with no data or have Airplane mode enabled. Take a look at the next link for more details on that.
Create and manage your music collection in the beta of Apple Music on Android
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT205397
If that doesn't work, then you will want to contact Apple Support and you can do that from the link below.
Contact Apple Support
https://www.apple.com/support/contact/

Have a good day

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Answer 6

Jan 13, 2016 1:52 PM in response to norm123

I un/reinstalled the app for a clean slate (as clean a slate a possible on Android, anyway)

On a case-by-case, track-by-track basis everything now appears to be working as it should, I just need to download one track at a time. The issue must come from attempting simultaneous downloads (i.e. by playlist) - tracks are all incomplete. This might prove a tedious process - but I understand the software is still in beta & we should expect things like this.

Thank you again for your assistance

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Answer 7

norm123

Community Specialist

Jan 14, 2016 6:09 AM in response to RubyDoobieDoo

Hey Ruby,
It was not problem with the assist.
Have good one

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Answer 8

Jan 20, 2016 10:49 PM in response to RubyDoobieDoo

Hi Ruby, I'm having the same issue as you and wondering if you have found anything else out to solve the downloaded songs not really being downloaded. Also I've been trying to find them on my phone after and can't seem to find the files anywhere... I would also like to know if it'll work on airplane mode. I have to say google music does, Spotify does, been kinda frustrated with Apple music and the data charges, this should be an easy one for them... Hopefully they get this right and also add the family share to android or I'll be switching back...

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