Yes, songs can be removed from iTunes. There are a few different reasons why a song may no longer be available on the iTunes store, including licensing issues, copyright claims, Apple Music exclusives, and more. While purchased songs stay in your iTunes library, you may find that a previously available song or album is no longer searchable or playable from the iTunes store.
Why Songs Get Removed from iTunes
Licensing Issues
One of the most common reasons for a song being removed from iTunes is licensing issues. Record labels and artists grant licenses to Apple to sell their music on iTunes and Apple Music. However, these licenses eventually expire.
When a licensing agreement ends, Apple no longer has the legal rights to sell that music. Therefore, the record label or artist can decide not to renew the license or switch to an exclusive agreement with another service. This results in the music being removed from iTunes as Apple is contractually obligated to take it down.
Copyright Claims
Copyright claims are another reason that music may suddenly disappear from iTunes. For instance, if a record label realizes they accidentally uploaded and sold a bootleg recording or remix that contained unauthorized samples, they can file a copyright claim with Apple to get it removed.
Songs and albums may also vanish from iTunes if there is some kind of dispute over who owns the rights. If a record label claims they have the sole distribution rights while the artist argues they have a right to the masters, the music may be taken down until the legal issues get resolved.
Switching to Apple Music Exclusives
In efforts to boost Apple Music subscriptions, Apple has been striking exclusive deals with major artists like Drake, Frank Ocean, and Taylor Swift to release albums solely on their streaming platform first.
As part of these Apple Music exclusives, the albums do not show up on iTunes for a period of time, usually a few weeks or months. After the exclusive window ends, the music typically returns to iTunes for digital downloads.
Offensive or Inappropriate Content
On rare occasions, iTunes pulls music containing offensive, disturbing, or blatantly obscene lyrics or artwork. This content goes against their catalog policies.
For example, iTunes banned the sale of all music by the white power rock group Prussian Blue in 2009, deeming it offensive hate speech.
Uploading Errors and Fake Artists
Mistakes happen, and sometimes the wrong tracks get uploaded to iTunes. There have been instances where cover songs were accidentally uploaded under the original artist’s page.
Fake artists and albums also occasionally make their way onto iTunes before getting discovered and removed. Back in 2013, an album of silence titled “Sleepify” by the fictional band Vulfpeck was deliberately uploaded as a royalties-generating prank before getting deleted.
Purchased vs. Unpurchased Songs
There is an important distinction in how iTunes handles purchased songs compared to those not bought by a user. If you have previously bought a song or album on iTunes that later gets removed, it still stays in your personal iTunes library and can be downloaded and synced to your other devices. You maintain full access even if Apple takes it off their store.
However, if you simply added a song to your library or a playlist without purchasing it, then it will become unplayable if no longer available on iTunes. Any songs rented or streamed through an Apple Music subscription that later get removed will also become unavailable.
So purchased iTunes music stays in your account indefinitely, while unpurchased music depends on continuing availability in the iTunes catalog.
Can You Re-Download Purchased Songs That Were Removed?
Yes, you can re-download and sync previously purchased songs, albums, TV shows, movies, and more on iTunes even if Apple removes them from the store catalog. As long as you are signed into the iTunes account that originally bought the content, you can get it on any device registered with that Apple ID.
Your purchase history is stored in the cloud, so you can go to your Account Settings > Purchase History at any time to re-download. Just search for the removed content and tap the Cloud icon to download it again.
Why Does Apple Get to Remove Purchased Content?
Apple’s iTunes Terms and Conditions include provisions allowing them to remove content. The legal language essentially says that while you maintain rights to anything you buy, Apple reserves the right to stop distributing any material they no longer have licenses for or find objectionable for any reason.
So you still own your purchased music in iTunes even if unavailable in their catalog. But Apple isn’t obligated to host content indefinitely for reasons like licensing, illegality, offensiveness, etc.
Finding Removed Songs through Your Library
If you want to find and re-download removed songs you previously bought on iTunes, the easiest way is to search through your personal library. Here are some tips for locating missing items that are no longer in the iTunes store:
Check “Only Downloaded Music”
In your iTunes Library settings on desktop, select “Only Downloaded Music” under Show iTunes Library. This displays only the songs stored locally on your computer, including any you’ve purchased that are no longer in the iTunes catalog.
Search Your Purchase History
Go to your iTunes Account > Purchase History on desktop. Search for a removed album or artist. If you bought it in the past, it should appear here for you to re-download.
Look Through Playlists
Removed songs that you added to playlists previously will still show up there for you to play and download. Check playlists from years ago for missing music no longer on iTunes.
Enable iCloud Music Library
If you have an Apple Music subscription, enable iCloud Music Library. This option lets you access your full previous purchase history and re-download it anywhere.
| Search Method | How to Find Removed Purchased Songs |
|---|---|
| Only Downloaded Music | Displays local music files purchased even if not in catalog |
| Purchase History | Search and re-download past purchases no longer available |
| Playlists | Removed songs still visible in previous playlists |
| iCloud Music Library | Syncs entire iTunes purchase history across devices |
What Happens When Purchased Content is Removed?
Losing access to music, movies, apps, and more that you’ve paid for on iTunes can be frustrating. But what exactly happens behind the scenes when Apple pulls purchased content from their catalog?
Notification of Removal
In most cases, Apple does not directly notify users when purchased content gets removed. You simply may notice one day that something you bought is no longer searchable in the iTunes store.
However, Apple has sent emails regarding specific removals before. For example, when Apple Music launched, some users received notices about certain albums becoming exclusive to the streaming service.
Refunds
Apple does not offer automatic refunds when purchased content gets pulled. Since you maintain full access to re-download previous purchases, a refund is generally not needed.
You can request a refund within 90 days for content that you have not downloaded or used. But for media you’ve already downloaded through iTunes, refunds are only provided in exceptional cases.
Upgrading Previously Purchased Items
If you bought a standard definition movie or TV show on iTunes that later gets removed, you may have the option to upgrade to high definition for a small fee. However, Apple does not always make this available.
Removal from Local Libraries
Any purchased media you have saved locally will stay on your devices even if no longer offered on iTunes. But if you delete it yourself, the content cannot be recovered unless you had previously synced it to another device or did a backup.
So don’t accidentally remove anything from your local libraries that is no longer downloadable from iTunes or it will be gone for good!
Checking if Removed Content is Available Elsewhere
Just because a piece of media disappears from iTunes does not mean it can’t be acquired from another source. Here are some options for finding previously purchased content that is no longer offered on the iTunes store:
Streaming Services
Many major streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, and Netflix host content removed from iTunes. Streaming is an easy option if you just want to listen to an album or watch a movie that is no longer on iTunes.
Other Digital Retailers
While iTunes often has exclusive versions of albums and digital extras, you may be able to repurchase the standard version on Amazon or other digital music stores. The same goes for buying non-iTunes versions of ebooks, audiobooks, and apps.
Physical Copies
CDs, vinyl records, DVDs, and Blu-Rays that contain the removed content can still be purchased physically in stores and online. This is a good option if you want higher quality and tangible media.
Second-Hand Sellers
eBay, Craigslist, and used book/record stores sell an assortment of media. You may be able to find rare physical copies of removed content unavailable elsewhere.
| Media Type | Alternative Acquisition Options |
|---|---|
| Music | Streaming services, digital retailers, physical copies, second-hand |
| Movies/TV | Streaming services, digital retailers, physical copies, second-hand |
| eBooks | Other digital retailers, physical copies, second-hand |
| Audiobooks | Streaming services, other digital retailers, physical copies, second-hand |
| Apps | Other digital retailers, second-hand codes |
While not always easy or convenient, you typically have options for accessing media no longer available on iTunes if you search around.
Should You Keep or Delete iTunes Content That You Can’t Access?
If your purchased iTunes content gets removed and becomes inaccessible, should you delete it or continue taking up storage space keeping it in your library? Here are some pros and cons to consider:
Reasons to Keep Removed Content
– Hopes it will become available again one day
– Sentimental value
– Serving as a backup if you have it saved locally
– Not using up significant storage space
Reasons to Delete Removed Content
– You bought high resolution files taking up large storage
– Little chance of it becoming available on iTunes again
– Can be acquired from other sources if needed
– Easy to re-download if ever returns to iTunes
– Want recommendations based only on accessible music
There are good arguments on both sides. Factors like available storage space, content type, emotional attachment, and likelihood of returning to iTunes may sway your decision.
For limited storage devices, deleting inaccessible content usually makes the most sense. But for large local libraries where storage is not a big constraint, keeping removed content for posterity can be reasonable.
Ultimately depends on your personal preferences and situation. Try not to delete anything you may regret losing!
What Content Gets Removed Most Frequently on iTunes?
Certain types of media are more likely to get removed from iTunes than others. Here are some of the usual suspects:
Music Albums
Complete music albums go away from iTunes most frequently. This is typically due to expiring licensing deals between Apple and record labels. Rap, hip hop, and electronic music seem especially prone to removals.
TV Shows
TV shows get removed once their streaming rights expire. This often happens with older shows or those shifting between different platforms. For instance, hit shows removed from Netflix may disappear from iTunes simultaneously.
Audiobooks
Audiobooks tend to come and go somewhat regularly as publishing rights change. You may find an audiobook series you bought has later installments missing.
Applications
Apps vanishing is rarer, but can happen if developers go out of business or choose to exclusively support Android and other platforms. Abandoned apps may suddenly stop working if they require back-end servers that shut down.
Movies and Music Videos
Purchased films and music videos are less frequently removed as they are original content not tied to licenses and streaming rights. Unless inappropriate or illegal, most user-purchased video content stays available.
While no content is immune from potential removal, music albums, TV shows, audiobooks, and apps have historically been most at risk on iTunes. Movies and individual songs tend to stick around for longer.
Will Removed iTunes Content Ever Come Back?
Once a piece of media disappears from the iTunes store, is it gone forever or is there a chance it will become available again one day?
Licensing Issues
If licensing was the reason for removal, renewing agreements could allow it to return. For example, Garth Brooks’ catalog finally came to iTunes in late 2014 after years of refusal. However, some artists may keep content exclusive to other platforms.
Contractual Obligations
If removed due to Apple Music exclusivity windows, content typically returns shortly after, usually within 3 months.
Offensive Material Claims
Media removed for obscenity or other offensive content rarely comes back if Apple deems it against their catalog policies.
Uploading Errors
Mistakenly uploaded content gets deleted permanently once the error is caught.
Copyright Disputes
Disputed content remains unavailable until legal ownership is confirmed. If the claims go unresolved for years, it may never return.
There is hope licensing deals may expire, exclusivity periods may end, and disputes can get settled to allow removed content back. But often once it vanishes, media stays off iTunes permanently unless Apple changes internal policies.
Should You Expect iTunes Removals to Increase?
With licensing getting more complicated and Apple pushing Apple Music, should we expect to see more purchased content removed from iTunes in the future?
Possibly, But Not Drastically
The number of removals may continue gradually increasing as streaming wars heat up between services. However, a massive wave of purchased content vanishing is unlikely.
Negotiating Licenses Will Get Harder
As the music and entertainment industry fractures with companies launching proprietary platforms, negotiating comprehensive licensing deals covering numerous services will get more challenging.
More Exclusive Windows
To boost Apple Music, Apple could leverage more high-profile exclusive releases, even temporarily removing artists’ catalogs from iTunes.
Impact on Digital Ownership
If removals significantly rise, it could make iTunes customers less willing to purchase digital media, shifting more towards streaming.
However, completely removing previously purchased content would likely create public backlash. While iTunes shoppers may lose some media, major artists suddenly disappearing seems improbable.
Conclusion
The ultimate takeaway is that yes, both unpurchased and purchased songs, albums, movies, TV shows, books, and apps do get removed from iTunes from time to time. Licensing, copyright claims, exclusivity agreements, obscenity issues, and mistakes contribute to content vanishing. But anything you buy stays in your personal library for re-downloading and should not disappear from local storage without you deleting it. Stay diligent about backing up your purchased iTunes media you care about most and finding alternative sources if needed. While losing access to paid content feels unfair, outright iTunes removals affecting large swaths of previously purchased media seem unlikely to happen too frequently. Just don’t bet on that rare album staying available forever.