jethomas
Level 1 (4 points)
iTunes

Q: Will cancelling iTunes Match delete my iCloud music library if I'm an Apple Music subscriber?

I had iTunes Match before Apple Music existed and now I subscribe to both. I have a ton of songs in my iCloud music library and I no longer have any local copies. So, while staying subscribed to Apple Music, if I let my iTunes Match subscription lapse will all my matched/uploaded songs still be there for me to access?

 

I can't seem to find any firm answer on this. A lot of "it should" but its not a risk I want to take without firm confirmation.

 

Thanks!

Podcasts, iOS 5.1.1

Posted on Aug 9, 2016 8:32 AM

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jethomas

Q: Will cancelling iTunes Match delete my iCloud music library if I'm an Apple Music subscriber?

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Jimzgoldfinch,

    Jimzgoldfinch Jimzgoldfinch Aug 9, 2016 8:57 AM in response to jethomas
    Level 6 (9,339 points)
    iTunes
    Aug 9, 2016 8:57 AM in response to jethomas

    Hi,

    ITunes match and Apple Music are not backup services. Before doing anything with your subscription, download your music and backup to an external drive. Always keep a backup and don't rely on your iCloud music library to restore your music.

     

    Read this article about the changes to Apple Music http://www.loopinsight.com/2016/07/18/apple-begins-rolling-out-itunes-match-with -audio-fingerprint-to-apple-music-subscr…

     

    This suggests that you will not need to renew your iTunes Match subscription - Apple Music will no longer apply DRM to your own music. You will retain access to your own music provided that you have download it if you unsubscribe to Apple Music. Access to Apple Music will be lost.

     

    Jim

  • by Phil0124,

    Phil0124 Phil0124 Aug 9, 2016 9:02 AM in response to jethomas
    Level 7 (27,937 points)
    iPhone
    Aug 9, 2016 9:02 AM in response to jethomas

    You should under no circumstance not have a backup of all your music offline somewhere.  There's no real reason to rely solely on Apple's online service.

     

    Should you let Apple Music lapse all your music will become unplayable since Apple Music DRM protected. Whether this new DRM free Apple music service is a reality remains to be seen.

     

    I would download all the music from iTunes Match, and store it in an external drive just be sure.