I saw people sharing their experience of how Apple Music has been deleting songs from their library, and most of them believe that it's a bug from Apple. But actually, it is not. Then why Apple Music is "deleting" songs from your iPhone or iTunes? That's what we're going to help you find out today. Plus, we'll introduce some troubleshooting tips to see if you can get your issues fixed and stop Apple Music from removing your music files.
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Why Does Apple Music Delete My Songs?
1. Your Apple Music Subscription Is Invalid
After you sign up for Apple Music, you are enabled to use iCloud Music Library which is for matching, uploading and storing your songs in cloud so that you can listen to your music on all your iOS devices anytime anywhere. It shares the similar features with iTunes Match when it comes to syncing and matching songs. But the only difference is that, all the songs you download back from iCloud during your Apple music subscription, are DRM-protected. And when you cancel your subscription, all music files you've downloaded via iCloud Music Library will be removed.
So Apple Music is actually deleting the songs that have DRM-protection. If your music files are DRM-free, they will be "safe" unless they've been added DRM by Apple. It’s important to make a backup of your DRM-free songs before you start using Apple Music.
2. "Optimize Storage" Is Turned on for Music
If Apple Music are deleting songs from your iPhone, then you should check if you have turned on "Optimize Storage" in your Music app.
When this feature is enabled, it means you allow Apple to manage the music files stored on your iOS device based on the minimum storage you choose, such as 16 GB, 32 GB, 64 GB and 128 GB.
If your iPhone is low on space, Apple will automatically delete music that you haven't played in a while to free up your iPhone music storage.
Here's how to turn off optimized storage for music:
Step 1. Go to Settings > select Music > scroll down and find "Optimize Storage".
Step 2. Click "Optimize Storage" and then tap the toggle to turn it "OFF".
3. iCloud Music Library Is Disabled on Your Devices
When iCloud Music Library are disabled on your iPhone or iPad, all songs you've downloaded before will be removed.
For those who switch to a new iPhone or just finish an iOS update, you'd better go check if iCloud Music Library are enabled on your device.
How to turn on iCloud Music Library:
Step 1. Sign into your iPhone or iPad with the Apple ID that you use with Apple Music.
Step 2. Go to Settings > Music and turn on iCloud Music Library by switch the button to "ON".
4. "Show Apple Music" Is Turned OFF on your iPhone or iPad
If "For You" tab is disappeared from your Music app, or you cannot find your Apple Music streaming songs in the app, then go to Settings > Music and turn the "Show Apple Music" option to "ON".
How to Stop Apple Music from Deleting Songs after Canceling Subscription/Trial
Tips #1: Keep A Backup of Your Music Library before Joining Apple Music
For Apple Music users, it's always important to make an extra backup of your purchased songs, CD songs and other music files on your primary computer before you start using Apple Music streaming service.
By doing so, you won't be afraid of losing your songs due to Apple Music's matching feature and DRM-encryption. Even if Apple Music randomly delete songs, you can restore the files with ease.
Tips #2: Remove DRM and Convert Apple Music Songs to MP3/M4A/AAC
There's a once and for all solution to stop Apple Music songs from disappearing after cancelling subscription or free trial. You can use a tool like TuneFab Apple Music Converter to download the DRM-free version of Apple Music songs before the subscription ends.
TuneFab Apple Music Converter is able to get access to your entire iTunes music library, including Apple Music songs, purchased songs, iTunes audiobooks, Audible audiobooks, etc. It can not only remove DRM protection from Apple Music, but also convert Apple Music songs to DRM-free format such as MP3 so that you can keep the songs playable on any device forever.
