Having issues with your music library on Apple Music? Don’t worry, restoring your library is an easy process that can be done in just a few steps. This article will walk you through everything you need to know to get your music collection back up and running on Apple Music.
What causes music libraries to need restoring?
There are a few common reasons your Apple Music library may need to be restored:
- You got a new device and need to transfer your library
- Your library was accidentally deleted
- Your music files are missing or not loading properly
- You unsubscribed from Apple Music and now want to re-add your music
- Your library is corrupted or has errors
Fortunately, Apple provides a handy restore feature to help you get your music collection back in order. The steps might be slightly different depending on what caused your library to need restoration, but the general process is the same.
How to restore your Apple Music library
To successfully restore your Apple Music library, you’ll need to follow these key steps:
- Check that iCloud Music Library is enabled – This syncs your Apple Music collection across devices.
- Turn on Download and Keep Originals – This saves copies of songs on your devices.
- Download your available music – Check that any previously downloaded songs are saved locally.
- Remove and re-add Apple Music – Sign out then re-enable your subscription.
- Sync your music library – Wait for your collection to upload and match with Apple’s servers.
- Hide duplicate songs – Use the steps below to remove extra copies of songs.
Let’s go through each of these steps in more detail:
1. Check that iCloud Music Library is enabled
iCloud Music Library stores all your Apple Music content and syncs it across devices. To restore your music, you first need to make sure iCloud Music Library is turned on.
To check this:
- Open Settings on your device.
- Tap Music.
- Make sure the iCloud Music Library toggle is in the ON position.
If it’s off, tap to enable it.
2. Turn on Download and Keep Originals
With Download and Keep Originals enabled, any song you add from Apple Music will be downloaded and saved so you have a copy on your device. This can help restore missing songs.
To enable this option:
- Go to Settings > Music.
- Tap Downloads.
- Turn on Download and Keep Originals.
3. Download your available music
Before removing Apple Music, first save any previously downloaded music to your device storage:
- Go to Library > Songs in the Music app.
- Tap Downloaded Music at the top.
- Tap Download All underneath the last song to save your downloads locally.
4. Remove and re-add Apple Music
If your library is still having issues, signing out of Apple Music then re-adding your subscription can help trigger a restore.
To sign out:
- Go to Settings > [your name] > Media & Purchases > View Account.
- Tap Sign Out and confirm.
Then to re-add Apple Music:
- Open the Music app.
- Tap For You at the bottom.
- Tap the offer for a free trial or paid subscription and follow the prompts.
5. Sync your music library
Once you re-enable Apple Music, your collection will begin uploading and matching with Apple’s servers. Wait for this process to complete.
- Songs will still appear even if they’re not fully synced.
- Check the Uploads tab to monitor sync progress.
- It may take hours for a large library – leave the Music app open.
Don’t force close the app or restart your device until everything finishes uploading.
6. Hide duplicate songs
After your library is restored, you may see duplicate songs in your collection. Here’s how to remove the extra copies:
- Go to Songs and tap Library at the top left.
- Tap Songs.
- At the top, tap Duplicate Songs to see only the copies.
- Tap Hide on each duplicate song to remove it from view.
The duplicates will still be there, but hiding them cleans up your library view.
Fixing specific Apple Music library issues
Depending on why your music library needs restoring, you may encounter some specific issues. Here are some tips for common problems:
Can’t access your saved Apple Music songs
If your saved Apple Music songs are missing or grayed out, it’s likely a licensing issue. Try:
- Playing the song on another device if available.
- Deleting, then re-adding the song to your library.
- Searching for another version from the Apple Music catalog.
Song uploads get stuck or fail
Uploading issues can happen if you have a lot of music. To help:
- Restart your device and router if uploads stall.
- Check your internet connection is strong.
- Try uploading in smaller batches if you have many songs.
Recently added songs not appearing
If your new songs don’t show up:
- Wait for iCloud Music Library to finish syncing.
- Check Download and Keep Originals is enabled.
- Confirm the songs are definitely added in your library.
Library changes or deletions on one device don’t sync
If edits don’t sync across your devices:
- Check all devices have iCloud Music Library enabled.
- Give devices time to sync after making changes.
- Restart devices and make sure they’re connected to the internet.
What to do if your Apple Music library can’t be restored
In some rare cases, you may not be able to successfully restore your Apple Music library due to ongoing issues. If you can’t get your music collection back after multiple attempts, here are some options:
- Contact Apple Support – Explain the issues and steps you’ve tried.
- Check music files – Your local files may be damaged or ineligible.
- Set up a new library – Delete your Apple Music data and start fresh.
- Manually re-add music – Slowly rebuild your collection by adding songs again.
Restoring your entire Apple Music library can take some time and patience. But in most cases, following the steps in this guide should help get your music collection back to normal.
Quick tips for restoring your Apple Music library
Here are some key quick tips for restoring your music library on Apple Music:
- Enable iCloud Music Library and Download Originals.
- Download any previously saved music before signing out.
- Sign out then re-enable your Apple Music subscription.
- Give your library time to fully sync and upload.
- Hide duplicate songs by tapping Hide on copies.
- Contact Apple support if you can’t restore your library.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my Apple Music library empty?
If your entire Apple Music library is missing, it’s typically because you disabled iCloud Music Library, which stores your collection. Re-enable it and give your music time to sync again.
How long does restoring an Apple Music library take?
Restore time varies depending on library size. A few thousand songs could take under an hour. Larger collections of 10,000+ songs could take several hours or longer.
Will restoring delete or remove songs?
Restoring won’t cause music to be deleted. However, songs removed from Apple’s catalog may no longer play grayed out. Your local song files are not touched.
Do I need internet to restore Apple Music?
Yes, an internet connection is required to restore your library. Music needs to be re-uploaded and matched with Apple’s cloud servers.
How do I reset Apple Music on iPhone?
On iPhone, go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset All Settings. This resets settings without deleting content. You’ll need to re-enable iCloud Music Library after.
Conclusion
Restoring your Apple Music library is a straightforward process once you know the key steps. Be sure to turn on iCloud Music Library, re-download available songs, sign out then back into Apple Music, and give your collection time to sync. Hiding duplicate tracks can also clean up your library. With some time and patience, your music should be restored. Contact Apple support if issues persist after multiple tries.