ok so I’m back from a break from Apple and I come to find out I can’t get in my iCloud music library because I’m not a Apple music membe. iCloud music library was around before the Apple Music club and you used to be able to use it without the other. Why am I paying Apple to listen to my own music. That’s kinda backward.
iPhone SE, iOS 11.3, iCloud used to be free
I have not had a subscription. Yet all of the CDs I uploaded a few years ago are in iTunes library on both my laptop and my phone, I can play the music that I uploaded (music I owned). Tonight I tried to add one, and it shows up on my laptop Library, but it is not in the cloud, and it doesn't appear there is a way to get it there. The help file if you search on iCloud music library shows something very different from what I have -- I have no option for iCloud Music Library. Why did this work as recently as a year ago without any subscription?
Apple used to refer to a feature they called iTunes in the Cloud which shows all of your unhidden past purchases when you are signed into your Apple ID with cloud links to stream or download any which are not in your library.
iCloud Music Library is a feature of the iTunes Match and Apple Music subscription services. The first captures your ripped music that isn't from Apple and treats it in much the same way as iTunes in the Cloud, allowing you to stream or download items to other computers or devices that are signed into your Apple ID. The second adds in access to nearly everything in the iTunes Store, again letting you stream or download on demand.
iCloud Music Library has always required a subscription. Apple Music offers a three month free trial.
If you have content on your device that isn't in your library see Recover your iTunes library from your iPod or iOS device.
tt2
Back in 2016 icloud music Library you didnt have to pay extra money to use
At some point presumably you connected the iPhone to the laptop and did something similar to this: Sync your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with iTunes on your computer using USB - Apple Support. Or you could even have set up this: Sync your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with iTunes using Wi-Fi - Apple Support, which if set up right might then update your device with new additions to your library without you making explicit efforts to sync it.
tt2
You might be remembering the free trial, or a packaged service, or be mixing it up with iTunes in the Cloud. iTunes Match and Apple Music which are the services that provide the iCloud Music Library have never been free.
tt2
iCloud music library without Apple Music
