If you have accidentally deleted your Apple Music library, you may be wondering if there is any way to get it back. Unfortunately, Apple does not provide a built-in way to recover deleted music from Apple Music. However, there are a few potential options you can try to restore your lost tracks and playlists.
Check Recently Deleted Playlist
When you delete music from your Apple Music library, it gets put into a “Recently Deleted” playlist which is kept for 30 days. To access it:
- Open the Music app on your iPhone, iPad or Mac
- Go to Library > Playlists
- Scroll down and look for the “Recently Deleted” playlist
Any music you’ve recently deleted will be available in this playlist. You can tap on a song to play it, or tap the 3 dots next to the playlist name to recover the whole thing.
This is the easiest way to retrieve deleted Apple Music tracks as long as you catch it within 30 days. After that, the playlist gets permanently cleared out.
Restore from iTunes or Finder Backup
If the deleted music is no longer in the Recently Deleted playlist, your next option is to restore it from an iTunes or Finder backup if you have one. Here’s how:
- Connect your iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch to your computer
- Open iTunes on a PC or Finder on a Mac
- Select your device and go to the Summary tab
- Click Restore Backup and choose a backup that contains your deleted music
This will wipe your device and restore everything from the selected backup, including the missing Apple Music tracks. Just make sure you have an iTunes/Finder backup that isn’t too old.
Use Third-Party Software
If you don’t have a backup that contains the deleted music, your last resort is to use third-party software to scan your device and try to recover the music files. Some options to try include:
- Fonelab: Recovers lost iOS data including Apple Music songs, playlists and videos.
- iMyFone D-Back: Scans device storage and extracts lost Apple Music files.
- iSkysoft Toolbox: Advanced data recovery for iOS devices and Apple Music.
These tools dig deep into your iPhone or iPad storage to find music files that may still be present even though they are not visible in your music library anymore. Results will vary depending on how long ago the files were deleted.
Contact Apple Support
As a last-ditch option, you can try reaching out to Apple Support to see if they can somehow restore your deleted Apple Music purchases. You may need to provide proof of purchase. Results are not guaranteed, but it’s worth a shot in case they can resurrect your music from their servers.
Prevent Future Music Loss
To avoid going through this recovery hassle again in the future, be sure to:
- Turn on iCloud Music Library syncing across devices.
- Regularly back up your iPhone, iPad and Mac.
- Use a third-party app like Stamp to make additional backups of Apple Music.
- Think twice before deleting music from your library.
Using iCloud Music Library and having regular device backups will make it much easier to restore deleted tracks. And additional backup protection with Stamp or similar software provides an extra level of safety for your Apple Music collection.
Be especially cautious before removing any purchased Apple Music tracks from your library. If you plan to resubscribe later, you’d have to repurchase anything that got deleted. So when in doubt, just hide music you don’t want to see rather than deleting it entirely.
Can You Recover Deleted Apple Music from iPhone?
If you delete a downloaded Apple Music track directly on your iPhone, there are a couple ways you may be able to recover it:
- Recently Deleted playlist: Check here first as it keeps deleted music for 30 days.
- iTunes or iCloud backup: Restore music files from your most recent backup.
- iPhone data recovery software: Use a third-party app to scan your device and extract music files.
But if the song is not in Recently Deleted, you don’t have a backup, and data recovery does not find the files, then there is unfortunately no other way to get back deleted music from an iPhone. To avoid this, be cautious when deleting downloaded Apple Music and make regular backups.
How to Recover Apple Music Deleted from IPad
For iPad users who have lost Apple Music tracks, you have a few options to recover deleted music:
- Recently Deleted playlist:Deleted music appears here for 30 days.
- iTunes or iCloud backup: Restore iPad and music library from a backup.
- iPad data recovery apps: Use specialized software to extract lost file.
- iCloud Music Library: Streamable songs are safe if you enabled this.
Checking Recently Deleted is the fastest way. If the song is gone, restore from backup or use recovery software. iCloud Music Library can also sync music across devices as a safety net. Take regular backups to avoid permanent music loss.
How to Recover Apple Music Accidentally Deleted from Mac
If you miss having Apple Music files you deleted from your Mac, try these retrieving methods:
- Recently Deleted playlist: Holds deleted music for up to 30 days.
- Time Machine backup: Restore entire Mac or just music library from backup.
- Mac data recovery software: Apps can scan internal or external drives for music.
- iCloud Music Library: Retrieves streamed songs if enabled.
Checking Recently Deleted playlist should be your first move. If that fails, use Time Machine or file recovery apps. iCloud Music Library also syncs music across devices as a backup option. Be sure to have multiple backups to avoid permanent data loss.
How to Recover Deleted Apple Music Playlist
If you miss a playlist of Apple Music that has been deleted, here is how to get it back:
- Open Recently Deleted playlist – holds removed music for 30 days.
- Look in iTunes/Finder backups for cached playlist data to restore.
- Use third party iOS data recovery apps to extract lost playlists.
- Check iCloud Music Library if enabled to redownload streamed songs.
Playlists only stick around Recently Deleted briefly before being permanently erased. So move quickly to recover via backup or recovery apps. Enable iCloud Music Library to help automatically resync playlists across devices.
How to Recover Deleted Apple Music Songs from iCloud
If you have iCloud Music Library enabled, there are ways to recover deleted Apple Music tracks from iCloud:
- Stream songs again on any device signed into your Apple ID.
- Restore iCloud backup to redownload purchased music files.
- Check iCloud site for Recently Deleted items within 30 days of removal.
- Use third party software to extract files from iCloud backup.
Streamed music is safely stored in iCloud, so signing in on any device will retrieve them. Restoring an iCloud backup also works. Enable iCloud Music Library on your devices for easy access to your cloud music collection.
Conclusion
Here are some key takeaways on recovering deleted Apple Music files:
- Check Recently Deleted playlist first before music is permanently deleted.
- Restore a backup from iTunes, Finder or iCloud to retrieve lost music.
- Use data recovery software to extract missing files from devices or drives.
- Enable iCloud Music Library for additional backup of streamed songs.
- Act quick and have multiple backups to increase chances of Apple Music recovery.
While accidents happen, being proactive with backups and cautious with deletions will save you the headache of trying to recover missing Apple Music tracks. Use a combination of built-in tools and third-party software when needed to get your music library back.
| Method | How It Works | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recently Deleted Playlist | Recover songs removed in the past 30 days | Fast and easy built-in solution | Only works up to 30 days since deletion |
| Restore from Backup | Retrieve music library from an iTunes or iCloud backup | Recovers entire library efficiently | Need a backup containing the deleted music |
| Data Recovery Software | Advanced scanning to extract audio files from device storage or drives | Last resort for retrieving tracks no longer in backups | Mixed results based on deletion time frames |
Top 5 Software to Recover Deleted Apple Music
If you need advanced recovery measures for deleted Apple Music files, these software options can help:
1. Fonelab
Fonelab is one of the most popular recovery apps for iOS devices and Apple Music. It can extract deleted audio files, playlists, videos, messages, photos and more. Works directly with iPhones and iPads or backups.
2. iMyFone D-Back
Specialized iPhone and iPad data recovery software from iMyFone. Capable of restoring lost Apple Music files along with other iOS data. Easy recovery steps with reliable results.
3. iSkysoft Toolbox
Robust iOS recovery solution from iSkysoft with advanced scanning to retrieve deleted Apple Music tracks and playlists. Also repairs common iOS system issues.
4. EaseUS MobiSaver
This recovery software from EaseUS analyses iPhone/iPad storage for residual music file signatures. Allows Apple Music video recovery as well. Free trial available.
5. Tenorshare UltData
UltData from Tenorshare has a user-friendly interface for recovering all types of lost iOS data. Provides preview function for music and video files before recovery.
The advanced scanning capabilities of these apps give them an edge over basic built-in recovery methods. But results will vary based on specific situations. Ideally, multiple backups can prevent needing third-party software.
FAQs about Recovering Deleted Apple Music
Can I recover a deleted Apple Music song?
You can recover deleted Apple Music songs by checking the Recently Deleted playlist within 30 days. Or restore a backup containing the song. Data recovery software is another option but not guaranteed.
Where do deleted Apple Music files go?
When you delete downloaded Apple Music tracks, they go to the Recently Deleted playlist where they remain for 30 days before being permanently erased.
Can you recover permanently deleted Apple Music?
If an Apple Music track is not in Recently Deleted or any backups, then there is no way to recover it if permanently deleted from your library and device storage. Prevention is key.
Does iCloud keep deleted Apple Music?
iCloud will keep any purchased or uploaded music even if deleted from devices, as long as you have iCloud Music Library enabled. It provides access to your cloud music collection.
How long are deleted songs stored in Apple Music?
Deleted Apple Music tracks remain recoverable in the Recently Deleted playlist for only 30 days. After that time, the songs are permanently erased from Apple Music libraries and device storage.
In Summary
Losing your Apple Music library can be frustrating, but in many cases it is possible to recover deleted music tracks and playlists:
- First check the Recently Deleted section within 30 days of removal.
- Restore from iTunes, Finder or iCloud backups containing the missing songs.
- Use advanced third party software to extract audio files residual data.
- Enable iCloud Music Library for additional cloud backup.
Be proactive by backing up your music library and avoiding unnecessary deletions. But if you do suffer a loss, act quickly using the methods above to restore your Apple Music collection.