How do I get my Apple Music back to normal?

If your Apple Music app is acting up or not working as expected, there are a few troubleshooting steps you can try to get it back to normal. Apple Music is a streaming music and video service developed by Apple Inc. It offers users access to over 75 million songs and thousands of playlists curated by music experts and algorithms. While Apple Music usually works seamlessly, occasionally users may encounter issues that disrupt their listening experience. The good news is that most Apple Music problems can be fixed with some simple troubleshooting.

Force Close and Reopen the App

One of the first things to try when Apple Music is not working correctly is force closing the app and reopening it. Force closing the app will end all processes associated with it and clear any temporary files or data that could be causing problems. To force close Apple Music on an iPhone or iPad:

  1. Double click the Home button to open the multitasking view.
  2. Locate the Apple Music app preview and swipe up on it to close it.
  3. Open the Apple Music app again and see if the issues persist.

On a Mac:

  1. Click the Apple Music app icon in the Dock to select it.
  2. Press Command + Option + Esc to force quit the app.
  3. Reopen Apple Music and test it out.

Force closing the Apple Music app will restart it fresh, clearing out any corrupted data or processes that may be interfering with its normal operation. In many cases, this simple restart is all that’s needed to resolve temporary glitches or bugs.

Update the App

Another common culprit behind Apple Music issues is having an outdated version of the app installed. Apple regularly releases updates to fix bugs, improve performance, and add new features. However, the app does not automatically update on all devices, so it’s important to manually check for and install updates.

On an iPhone or iPad, open the App Store app and go to the Updates tab to see if any updates are available for Apple Music or iOS. On a Mac, open the App Store app and check the Updates section. If an Apple Music update is available, click Update to install it. Keep your apps up-to-date to prevent issues caused by outdated versions.

Restart Your Device

In some cases, general software glitches or performance issues with your iPhone, iPad, or Mac could be affecting Apple Music’s functionality. Restarting your device clears out these types of temporary issues and resets everything fresh. Here’s how to restart your device:

iPhone or iPad:

  1. Press and hold the Power button until the “Slide to Power Off” prompt appears.
  2. Drag the slider to turn off your device.
  3. After 30 seconds, press and hold the Power button again to turn your device back on.

Mac:

  1. Click the Apple menu and select Restart.
  2. Click Restart when prompted to confirm.

Allow your device several minutes to completely reboot and reload apps and services. Then open Apple Music again to see if performance has improved.

Check Your Internet Connection

Since Apple Music relies on streaming from Apple’s servers, any disruptions to your internet connectivity can cause issues. Check that your Wi-Fi or cellular data connection is working normally when you’re trying to use Apple Music. Some troubleshooting tips:

  • On an iPhone or iPad, open Settings and go to Wi-Fi to confirm you’re connected to a network.
  • On a Mac, click the Wi-Fi icon in the top menu bar to verify connectivity.
  • Try moving closer to your Wi-Fi router if the connection is weak.
  • Restart your router if you’re connected but still having issues.
  • If on cellular data, check for cell service issues in your area.
  • Disable Wi-Fi and use cellular data, or vice versa, to test if one network has problems.

Stable internet connectivity is key for Apple Music. Rule this out before troubleshooting other potential causes.

Reinstall the App

If you’re still experiencing persistent issues after trying the usual troubleshooting steps, reinstalling Apple Music could help. This will completely remove the app from your device and do a fresh install, which can fix underlying software glitches that may be disrupting services.

On iPhone/iPad:

  1. Open the App Store and go to your Account profile.
  2. Scroll down to find Apple Music in your list of downloaded apps and tap on it.
  3. Tap Delete App, then click Delete to confirm.
  4. Go back to the App Store’s Music section and download Apple Music again.

On Mac:

  1. Go to Finder > Applications and locate the Apple Music app.
  2. Drag it to the Trash to uninstall it.
  3. Open the App Store, go to the Music section, and re-download Apple Music.

Reinstalling the app will ensure any corrupted files or settings are cleared out and give you a fresh start.

Sign Out and Back In

If reinstalling doesn’t work, try signing out of Apple Music and then signing back in. This resets your account details and clears saved login data that could be causing conflicts:

  1. Open Apple Music settings.
  2. Scroll down and tap Sign Out.
  3. Enter your Apple ID and password to sign in again.

Be sure to use the same Apple ID you originally set up Apple Music with, otherwise you may lose access to your library and playlists. Signing out and in will re-authenticate your account details with Apple’s servers.

Check Account and Billing Details

Login and payment problems can also disrupt your Apple Music access. Check these account details:

  • Make sure you’re signing in with the Apple ID used to set up your Apple Music membership.
  • Check that your payment method on file is valid and has available funds if your membership is paid.
  • Verify your Apple Music subscription is current and hasn’t lapsed.
  • Review your iTunes/App Store purchase history – cancelling recent renewals can affect Apple Music.
  • Contact Apple Support if charges are unclear or membership status is uncertain.

Keeping your account and billing details accurate ensures continued access to Apple Music services.

Reset Apple Music

If all else fails, resetting Apple Music can wipe your account details, settings, cache, and stored data to factory defaults. This should resolve any deep-seated software issues. To reset Apple Music on iPhone/iPad:

  1. Go to Settings > General > Reset.
  2. Tap Reset Apple Music.
  3. Confirm reset when prompted.

On Mac:

  1. Go to Music > Preferences.
  2. Click Reset Apple Music.
  3. Click Reset to confirm.

Resetting Apple Music will require you to sign in again and re-sync your library. While inconvenient, this often fixes stubborn technical issues that prevent Apple Music from working properly on your device.

Contact Apple Support

If you still can’t resolve your Apple Music problems after trying these troubleshooting tips, reach out to Apple Support for further assistance. Provide as much detail as possible about the specific issues you’re encountering. Some ways to contact Apple Support include:

  • Use the Apple Support app on your device – it offers options tailored to your products.
  • Call 1-800-APL-CARE (1-800-275-2273) to speak to a support advisor.
  • Visit getsupport.apple.com to chat online or schedule a callback.
  • Bring your device to an Apple Store Genius Bar for in-person support.

Apple Support has more advanced tools to diagnose problems and additional troubleshooting steps to try getting Apple Music up and running properly again.

Conclusion

With over 60 million songs, thousands of expert playlists, and a seamless listening experience across devices, Apple Music offers huge benefits for music lovers. But technical glitches happen from time to time that can disrupt your access to Apple Music services. Fortunately, most issues can be resolved with simple troubleshooting – updating the app, checking connections, restarting devices, reinstalling software, verifying account details, or resetting Apple Music settings. Don’t hesitate to contact Apple’s award-winning customer support if problems persist. With the steps outlined above, you can get Apple Music working and rocking again in no time.