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why do I need wifi or cell service to listen to music?

Why do I need wifi or cell service to listen to music?

I've tried using iPhone help, going to Apple site and using help, neither of which had any help.

Googled question and only had responses from 2015, 2016. Those "fixes" appeared to use functions that are no

longer in iTunes or on iPhone.


iPhone 6s

iOS 11.2.6

iPhone 6s, iOS 11.2.6

Posted on Mar 13, 2018 11:30 AM

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Question marked as Best reply

Posted on Mar 14, 2018 3:16 PM

Hello severma22,

It appears you are wanting to know why you need an internet connection for Apple Music. Apple Music streams the music to your device, so it has to have an internet connection to do that. Currently Apple Music offers 45 million songs available to stream, so it doesn't use up the storage on your device. You are able to download the music to your device for offline listening.

More information on Apple Music can be found here: Apple Music​

The following section goes over how to download the music using your internet connection to store on your device for offline listening.

Add and download music, shows, and movies from the Apple Music catalog


How to download content to listen to offline

Before you can download content to listen to offline, you need to add it to your Library. Then, in the Music app on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch; in iTunes on your Mac or PC; or in the Apple Music app on your Android phone, find the item that you want to download, and follow these steps:

  • On your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Android phone: Tap Download User uploaded file .
  • On your Mac or PC: Click Download User uploaded file .

You'll see User uploaded file when the download is complete.
If you have Automatic Downloads turned on, content automatically downloads to your device or computer when you add it to your Library. You won't see User uploaded file or User uploaded file .
Use the Watch app on your iPhone to add music to your Apple Watch.
You can download content on up to 10 devices. This content is accessible only when your Apple Music subscription is active.



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why do I need wifi or cell service to listen to music?

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