What happens to my music after my Apple Music subscription ends?
When your Apple Music subscription ends, you will no longer have access to the Apple Music catalog of over 90 million songs. This means any songs you have downloaded or added to your library from Apple Music will no longer be playable. However, any music you purchased or imported into your library will remain playable even after cancellation.
Will I lose songs I downloaded?
Yes, any songs you have downloaded from the Apple Music catalog will be removed from your devices when your subscription ends. Streamed and downloaded Apple Music songs are only accessible with an active subscription.
What about songs I imported or purchased?
Songs you have purchased on iTunes or imported from other sources like CDs will not be affected when your Apple Music subscription ends. Anything not directly obtained from the Apple Music catalog will remain in your library.
How to preserve your Apple Music library
If you want to keep listening to songs from Apple Music after cancellation, there are a couple of options:
Purchase songs/albums
You can buy songs, albums, and music videos from the Apple Music catalog to own them permanently. Just look for the pricing option below any Apple Music song, album or playlist to purchase it. Once purchased, the content will remain in your library even if you unsubscribe.
Download your Apple Music playlist
Make sure to download any Apple Music playlists you want to keep before your subscription ends. You can do this by turning on the “Download” switch in the playlist menu. This will allow you to listen to the downloaded songs offline even after cancellation. Just be aware the downloads will delete after the subscription lapses.
Export your Apple Music library
Use a third party app like SongShift or Soundiiz to export your Apple Music library playlists and saved albums. This will extract the song data and recreate the playlists with links to the songs from other sources like YouTube or Spotify. The playlists won’t have the exact songs but will contain playable links to those songs from free sources.
Recovering deleted Apple Music files
If your Apple Music subscription has already ended and you forgot to download content beforehand, don’t panic! There are a few ways you may be able to recover deleted Apple Music files:
Restore from backup
Check your computer backups or iCloud storage for any recently deleted Apple Music files. If you have an iTunes or Apple device backup from the last few days before cancellation, you may be able to restore the lost music library content.
Use data recovery software
A data recovery program like iMyFone D-Back or iSkysoft Toolbox can scan your device and find any recently deleted files, even Apple Music files. This gives you a chance to recover deleted music before it gets permanently overwritten.
Contact Apple support
Reach out to Apple customer service and explain your situation. If you accidentally lost important Apple Music downloads after cancellation, they may be willing to work with you to restore your access. Be prepared to provide proof of subscription and ownership.
Listening to Apple Music with a new subscription
The easiest way to regain access to all your Apple Music content is to simply resubscribe. Here is what happens when you start a new Apple Music subscription:
Music library is restored
All the songs, albums, playlists, and downloads associated with your account will automatically be restored after resubscribing. You essentially pick up where you left off.
Listening history returns
Your Apple Music listening activity and preferences also get stored in your account profile. This allows personalized recommendations and suggestions to resume based on your past listening history.
Downloaded music reappears
Any music you previously downloaded from Apple Music will become playable and reappear in your library after resubscribing. This makes it easy to continue listening to favorites.
Using an alternative music service
If you don’t want to pay for Apple Music again but still want streaming access, check out some of these alternative music and audio platforms:
YouTube Music
YouTube Music offers ad-supported music streaming for free. There is also a paid subscription option for background listening, downloads, and ad-free experience. Much of the Apple Music catalog is also available on YouTube Music.
Spotify
Spotify has a large music catalog, playlists, radio, and podcasts. The free ad-supported tier gives you limited on-demand access. A paid premium subscription unlocks unlimited skips, downloads, and higher quality audio.
Amazon Music
With a Prime membership or Amazon Music Unlimited subscription you can access a library of 90 million songs. Features include unlimited streaming, thousands of playlists, and the ability to download music for offline playback.
Pandora
Pandora music streaming radio provides a more personalized listening experience by analyzing your taste to create customized stations. Listen for free with ads or upgrade to Pandora Plus/Premium for more features.
SoundCloud
SoundCloud hosts a mix of mainstream tracks and indie music. Listen to established artists or discover rising talent. Stream for free or upgrade to SoundCloud Go/Go+ for unlimited access.
Summary of key points
Here are the key takeaways for accessing your Apple Music library after cancellation:
- Downloaded Apple Music content gets removed after subscription ends
- Purchase songs/albums you want to keep permanent access to
- Download playlists and music before the subscription expires
- Use a third party app to export your Apple Music library metadata
- Check backups and use data recovery software to restore deleted files
- Contact Apple support for help recovering lost music
- Resubscribe to Apple Music to easily reinstate your account content and data
- Consider alternative streaming platforms like YouTube Music or Spotify
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I listen to my Apple Music songs after I end my subscription?
No, once you end your Apple Music subscription you will no longer be able to stream or listen to any songs from the Apple Music catalog. Downloaded songs will also be removed. You will only retain access to music you purchased or imported separately.
What music do I keep if I cancel Apple Music?
Any music you bought on iTunes, ripped from CDs, or imported from other sources will stay in your library after canceling. Apple Music downloads and streaming content get revoked when the subscription ends.
Will my Apple Music playlists still work if I resubscribe later?
Yes, your entire Apple Music account data including playlists, library, and listening history can be restored if you subscribe again later with the same Apple ID. Everything will return as it was before cancellation.
Can I recover my deleted Apple Music songs after canceling the subscription?
It may be possible by using data recovery software, restoring a backup, or contacting Apple support. But act quickly before the deleted files get permanently overwritten with new data.
What is the easiest way to keep my Apple Music library?
The simplest option is to not cancel at all and continue paying for your Apple Music subscription. Otherwise, make sure to download all playlists and purchases you want to keep before the renewal date passes.
Table Comparing Music Streaming Services
| Service | Price Per Month | Song Catalog | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Music | $9.99 | Over 90 million | Downloads, curated playlists, radio |
| Spotify | $9.99 | Over 82 million | Playlists, podcasts, connect with friends |
| YouTube Music | $9.99 | Over 70 million | Video and music, smart search, playlists |
| Amazon Music Unlimited | $7.99 | 90 million | Lossless audio, mobile offline listening |
| Pandora Premium | $9.99 | Limited catalog | Custom radio stations |
This table compares key features and pricing for top music streaming services. Apple Music and Spotify offer similar robust music catalogs and premium features, while YouTube Music ties in video and Amazon Music promises higher quality audio. Pandora Premium focuses more on personalized radio recommendations.
Conclusion
Losing access to your curated Apple Music library can be disappointing, but there are ways to preserve your downloaded and purchased content. Make sure to export important playlists, buy songs you want to keep, and listen on alternative services if you don’t resubscribe. With some advance preparation, you can ensure your favorite music stays with you even after cancelling Apple Music.