Quick Answer
Yes, it is possible to delete Apple Music from your iPhone or Android phone. On iPhone, you can cancel your Apple Music subscription and disable access to the app. On Android, you can uninstall the Apple Music app. Your music downloads and playlists will be removed when you cancel Apple Music.
Steps to Delete Apple Music on iPhone
Here are the steps to remove Apple Music from your iPhone:
Cancel Apple Music Subscription
1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Tap on your name at the top of the screen.
3. Tap on Subscriptions.
4. Under Active, tap on Apple Music.
5. Tap on Cancel Subscription and confirm.
This will stop billing you for Apple Music monthly. However, the app and music downloads will remain on your phone.
Turn Off Access to Apple Music App
1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap on Music.
3. Toggle off Show Apple Music to hide the app.
This prevents you from accessing the Apple Music app but doesn’t delete it.
Delete Downloaded Music
To remove downloaded music from Apple Music:
1. Open the Apple Music app.
2. Tap on Library at the bottom.
3. Tap on Downloads to see music stored on your device.
4. Swipe left on each song and tap Delete to remove downloads.
This cleans up storage by deleting saved Apple Music songs.
Steps to Uninstall Apple Music App on Android
If you have an Android phone, follow these instructions to uninstall Apple Music:
1. Open the Settings app on your Android.
2. Tap on Apps or Application Manager.
3. Tap on Apple Music in the list of apps.
4. Tap Uninstall and confirm.
This will completely remove the Apple Music app and associated data from your Android device.
What Happens When You Delete Apple Music?
Here’s what happens when you cancel Apple Music or uninstall the app:
– You will immediately lose access to over 90 million songs that were available on-demand.
– Downloads of DRM-protected Apple Music songs will no longer play. Non-DRM songs will still play.
– Playlists created on Apple Music will be lost, including any that you’ve downloaded for offline listening.
– Your music library will only include songs you personally own or downloaded from non-Apple sources.
– Recommendations, stations, and other personalized content will no longer update.
– If you resubscribe in the future, your previous Apple Music data and settings will not be restored.
Pros of Deleting Apple Music
Here are some benefits to removing Apple Music from your device:
– Save monthly subscription costs if you cancel your membership.
– Regain storage space by deleting song downloads.
– Reduce clutter on your phone if you don’t use the app.
– Listen to your own music collection without commercial interruptions.
– Avoid recommendations or content that doesn’t match your taste.
Cons of Deleting Apple Music
Some drawbacks to consider before deleting Apple Music include:
– Lose access to millions of songs on-demand without paying per song.
– Playlists and library organization will be reset if you resubscribe later.
– Music discovery and recommendations require starting over from scratch.
– Purchased songs may disappear if not properly downloaded first.
– Listening habits and preferences used for suggestions will be lost.
– Can’t stream Apple exclusives like new albums and music videos.
Alternatives to Apple Music
If you still want streaming music but don’t want to use Apple Music, here are some alternatives:
Spotify
– Spotify has a huge music catalog with over 80 million tracks.
– User-created playlists and Spotify curated playlists.
– Daily music recommendations tuned to your taste.
– Podcasts, original shows, and other exclusive content.
– Free ad-supported tier or paid premium subscription.
YouTube Music
– Access official songs, albums, remixes, live performances and more.
– Ad-free and background listening with paid YouTube Premium.
– Smart search finds songs by lyrics.
– Personalized recommendations learn from YouTube watch history.
Amazon Music
– Choose from over 75 million songs without ads.
– Download tracks for offline listening.
– Podcasts available including original exclusives.
– Voice control music with Alexa.
– Individual plan or bundle with Prime membership.
Tidal
– Over 70 million tracks with lossless HiFi sound quality.
– Listen to exclusive album launches.
– Recommended playlists from music experts.
– Over 250,000 high-quality videos including concerts.
– Free 30-day trial available.
Pandora
– Create customized radio stations based on artists or songs.
– Listen for free with ads or ad-free with Pandora Plus/Premium.
– Downloads allow offline listening.
– Thumb up/down songs to refine station suggestions.
– Podcasts, playlists, and exclusive content.
Conclusion
While Apple Music offers seamless integration with iPhone and access to premium content, deleting it can save money and reduce clutter. Carefully consider what capabilities you’ll lose before canceling. If you do remove Apple Music, streaming services like Spotify, YouTube Music, Amazon Music, Pandora, and Tidal provide viable listening alternatives on both iOS and Android devices. Evaluating your listening priorities will help choose the best replacement.
With the pros, cons, and alternatives covered above, you can make an informed decision about whether to keep or delete Apple Music from your phone. Music aficionados have more great options than ever before across different services. Compare key features and free trial periods to select the ideal replacement if eliminating your Apple Music app.
| Service | Price | Song Catalog | Notable Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Music | $9.99/month individual | Over 90 million | iOS integration, exclusive content |
| Spotify | Free, $9.99 Premium | Over 80 million | Playlists, podcasts, recommendations |
| YouTube Music | Free, $9.99 Premium | Official uploads | Music videos, smart search |
| Amazon Music | Free, $7.99/month | 75 million | Alexa support, podcasts |
| Tidal | Free trial, $9.99 Premium | Over 70 million | High fidelity sound, concerts |
| Pandora | Free, $4.99 Plus, $9.99 Premium monthly | Licenced catalog | Custom radio, podcasts |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I redownload Apple Music if I change my mind later?
Yes, you can easily resubscribe and redownload Apple Music at any time. Just open the App Store, search for Apple Music, and tap Get to reinstall the app. Then sign in with your Apple ID and restart your subscription. Your previous library and data will not be restored automatically, but you can begin rebuilding playlists and preferences.
What happens if I temporarily cancel Apple Music?
If you only cancel for a short time but later resubscribe, your Apple Music data including playlists and recommendations will be restored as long as you use the same Apple ID. This allows you to take a break without permanently losing anything.
Can I transfer music from Apple Music to Spotify?
Unfortunately there is no direct transfer option to move your Apple Music content to Spotify. You would need to search for and add each playlist track manually. Any songs purchased on iTunes can be downloaded to your computer then uploaded to Spotify.
Will deleting Apple Music also remove any music I purchased?
No, any music you bought on iTunes will not be deleted when you remove Apple Music. To keep purchased music, make sure to download DRM-free copies to a computer before canceling Apple Music so you can transfer them to another service later if needed.
What type of content can’t I access anymore after unsubscribing?
Without an active Apple Music membership, you’ll lose access to on-demand streaming from Apple’s catalog, exclusive albums and original content, personalized playlists, music discovery features, and offline downloading capabilities.