If you’ve logged out of your Apple Music account for a period of time, you may find that your music library has disappeared when you log back in. Don’t worry – your library is still there, you just need to redownload it. Here are some tips on how to get your Apple Music library back after logging out for a while.
Check Your iCloud Music Library Settings
The first thing to check is whether you have iCloud Music Library enabled. This setting allows Apple Music to store your library in iCloud so it’s accessible from all your devices. To check your settings:
- Open the Settings app on your iOS device or Mac
- Tap on your Apple ID banner at the top of the screen
- Select ‘iCloud’
- Make sure the toggle for ‘iCloud Music Library’ is turned on
If iCloud Music Library is disabled, turn it on now. This will trigger your device to redownload your Apple Music library from iCloud.
Use iTunes to Sync Your Library
If you don’t use iCloud Music Library, you can also sync your library manually via iTunes. To do this:
- Open iTunes on your computer and login to your Apple ID
- Connect your iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch to your computer using the USB cable
- Select your device in iTunes
- Go to the Music section in the sidebar
- Check ‘Sync Music’ and select ‘Entire music library’
- Click the Sync button
This will transfer your entire Apple Music library to your device. The sync may take some time depending on the size of your library.
Redownload Songs Individually
If you only want to redownload certain songs or albums, you can do this individually via the Apple Music app:
- Open the Apple Music app on your device
- Tap on the Library tab
- Browse for the songs, albums or playlists you want to download
- Tap the download icon (a cloud with a down arrow) next to each item
This will redownload that music to your device. Note that there are limits on how many devices you can have music downloaded on (usually 5).
Restore from a Backup
If you have an iTunes or iCloud backup from when you still had access to your Apple Music library, you can use that to restore your music.
To restore from an iTunes backup:
- Connect your device to your computer and open iTunes
- Select your device and go to the Summary tab
- Click Restore Backup and select the desired backup
- Click Restore to confirm
To restore from an iCloud backup:
- Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud
- Tap Manage Storage > Backups
- Select the desired backup and tap Restore
Restoring a backup will reinstate your Apple Music library while also reverting your device back to the state it was in when that backup was made.
Contact Apple Support
If you still can’t get access to your Apple Music library after trying the steps above, you may need to contact Apple Support for further assistance. You can reach out to them via:
- The Apple Support app on iOS
- The Contact Support page on Apple’s website
- Booking a Genius Bar appointment at an Apple Store
- Calling Apple Support by phone
When you contact Apple Support, be prepared to provide:
- The Apple ID used for your Apple Music subscription
- Device types and iOS versions
- Details of when you first noticed the issue
- Steps you’ve already tried to restore your library
Apple will then investigate why your music has gone missing and work to restore your access. This may involve checking your iCloud settings, removing any software bugs, or resetting your Apple Music account if necessary.
Prevent Future Library Loss
Once you regain access to your Apple Music collection, follow these tips to avoid losing it again in the future:
- Always keep iCloud Music Library enabled across devices
- Set your music to download automatically on devices
- Sync new music purchases right away
- Create regular iTunes and iCloud backups as a safety net
- Avoid logging out of Apple Music for extended periods
Keeping your music synchronized across iCloud and your authorized devices is the best way to ensure your library is always available, even if you log out temporarily.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did my Apple Music library disappear?
The most likely reasons your Apple Music library has gone missing are:
- You disabled iCloud Music Library
- Your music hasn’t downloaded after logging back in
- A glitch or connection issue
- Logging out for too long deactivated your devices
How long does it take to redownload my library?
It depends on the size of your library and internet connection speed, but typically:
- Individual songs/albums: Less than a minute per song
- Entire library via iTunes: Can take hours
- iCloud Music Library restore: Up to a day
What are the limits on downloaded music?
Apple Music allows you to download to up to 10 devices, with a limit of 100,000 songs per device. So in total across all devices, you can have up to 1,000,000 downloaded songs.
What if I can’t restore my library?
If you still can’t access your library after trying all troubleshooting steps, reach out to Apple Support. They can investigate issues with your account, resets if needed, and restore access.
How do I avoid this issue in the future?
Enable iCloud Music Library and automatic downloads so your library stays in sync. Also create regular backups, and avoid logging out of Apple Music for long periods.
Summary
Having your Apple Music library disappear can be frustrating, but in most cases it can be recovered. The key steps are:
- Check your iCloud Music Library and download settings
- Sync your music via iTunes if needed
- Redownload individual songs, albums or playlists
- Restore from an iTunes or iCloud backup
- Contact Apple support if still unable to restore your music
Sticking to best practices like enabling iCloud Music Library, creating backups, and avoiding long logouts can prevent this issue in the future. With a few simple troubleshooting steps, you can get your Apple Music collection back and avoid losing it again.