Having issues with your iCloud music library being turned off? Don’t worry, it’s easy to get your music library synced back up with just a few steps. In this article, we’ll walk through the common reasons your iCloud music library may have gotten disabled and how to re-enable it so you can access all your music across your devices.
Quick Summary
Here are the key steps to getting your iCloud music library turned back on:
- Check your iCloud storage usage – if you’re over your limit, upgrade your plan or delete content
- Make sure you have “iCloud Music Library” enabled under Settings > Music
- Check that you’re signed in to iCloud with the same Apple ID on all devices
- Update to the latest version of iOS/iTunes if needed
- Disable then re-enable iCloud Music Library
- Give your library time to sync across devices
Why Did My iCloud Music Library Get Disabled?
There are several common reasons your iCloud music library may have been turned off unexpectedly:
You Exceeded Your iCloud Storage Limit
Apple only provides 5GB of free iCloud storage, which can quickly be used up by music, photos, backups, and more. If you exceed this limit, Apple will turn off some iCloud services like iCloud music library until you upgrade your plan or free up space.
To check your storage usage, go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Manage Storage. See if you’re over 5GB used. You can also upgrade your iCloud storage plan from this menu if needed.
You Disabled iCloud Music Library
Sometimes iCloud music library gets accidentally toggled off in settings. To check, go to Settings > Music and see if “iCloud Music Library” is enabled. If not, turn it back on.
Software Updated Changed Settings
Major iOS or iTunes updates can sometimes revert your music settings back to defaults. Double check that iCloud music library is still turned on after any big software updates.
Signing In and Out of iCloud
If you sign out of iCloud on a device, any iCloud services like iCloud music library will be disabled. Make sure to sign back in with the same Apple ID. Also ensure you are signed into the same iCloud account on all devices.
How to Turn iCloud Music Library Back On
If your iCloud music library got disabled for any reason, follow these steps to get it re-enabled:
- Check iCloud storage usage: Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Manage Storage. If you’re over 5GB, you’ll need to upgrade your plan or delete content.
- Confirm iCloud Music Library is enabled: Go to Settings > Music and check that “iCloud Music Library” is turned ON. If not, enable it.
- Sign in to iCloud: Make sure you’re signed into the same iCloud account on all devices using the same Apple ID.
- Update software: Install the latest iOS and iTunes updates in case an update changed your settings.
- Disable and re-enable: Turn off iCloud Music Library, restart your device, then turn it back on after a few minutes.
- Give it time: It may take hours or more for your entire music library to sync back to all devices.
Following these troubleshooting steps should get your iCloud music library re-activated and your music synced across your iPhone, iPad, and computer. Be patient as it may take some time to completely re-upload your music to iCloud.
Why You Should Use iCloud Music Library
Now that you’ve got your iCloud music library working again, you’re probably wondering why you should continue using it. Here are some of the top benefits of having an iCloud music library:
- Access your music anywhere: All your purchased and imported music is stored in iCloud, so you can stream or download it on any device signed into your Apple ID.
- Save local storage space: Store your music in iCloud instead of filling up your devices’ local storage.
- Automatic syncing: Adding or editing music such as playlists or ratings will sync across devices.
- Back up your library: iCloud music library serves as a backup of your music collection.
- Ad-free music: Music you imported or purchased is stored in iCloud without ads.
- Shared library: You can share your iCloud music library with your family.
The convenience of accessing your full music collection anywhere easily outweighs the limitations of local device storage. So keep iCloud music library enabled!
Troubleshooting Common iCloud Music Issues
Even with iCloud Music Library turned on, sometimes issues come up preventing your music from syncing properly. Here are some common problems and fixes:
Music Not Syncing Between Devices
If some or all of your music won’t sync to other devices, try these steps:
- Check that all devices are on the same WiFi network
- Give devices time to finish syncing (can take hours)
- Restart devices and check again after
- Double check iCloud Music Library is definitely on
- Disable and re-enable iCloud Music Library
Missing Album Artwork
Album covers not showing in your library? Try this:
- Refresh library on device
- Double check artwork is added in iTunes
- For Apple Music, re-add the song/album
- Check iCloud storage for space needed for artwork
Music Deleted from Library
If music seems to be missing from your library, it could be because:
- It was accidentally deleted on a device
- The song file was corrupted
- You hit song/library download limit
- iOS device storage is full
To restore missing music, try removing the song and re-adding it from your iTunes library or Apple Music. Or if you’ve hit storage limits, you’ll need to upgrade iCloud storage and/or iOS device storage.
Unable to Edit Metadata
If you can’t edit song information like title, artist, etc try these tips:
- Edit metadata in iTunes first, then re-upload
- Double check you’re the Apple ID account holder
- Changes can take time to sync across devices
- Metadata may be locked for Apple Music songs
Give iCloud time to sync any metadata changes across devices. Some changes may not be possible for DRM-protected songs.
Best Practices for Managing Your Library
To avoid issues with your iCloud music library, keep these best practices in mind:
- Monitor your storage usage: Keep an eye on iCloud and iOS device storage limits.
- Have patience during syncing: Give adequate time for library changes to propagate across devices.
- Enable automatic downloads: This will keep all devices up to date.
- Use iTunes for bulk metadata edits: For convenience, edit song info in one place then sync.
- Enable high-quality audio: Store songs in lossless format for best sound quality.
Following these tips will help ensure a smooth, seamless experience using your iCloud music library!
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my music keep pausing while streaming?
If your music keeps stopping while streaming from iCloud music library, it’s likely due to internet connection issues. Ensure you have a stable, high-speed internet connection when streaming music from the cloud. Connect to WiFi instead of cellular if possible.
What music formats can I store in iCloud?
iCloud music library supports common formats like MP3, AAC, Apple Lossless, AIFF, WAV, and more. DRM-protected music may have limited functionality.
How many songs/albums can I store in iCloud?
iCloud storage allotments range from 5GB for free accounts to 2TB for upgraded plans, supporting roughly 40,000 to over 110 million songs depending on compression. Additional iCloud storage can be purchased if needed.
How do I download music to my phone for offline listening?
In the Music app, tap the iCloud icon to select music to download. You can also enable automatic downloads under Settings so new music is always downloaded for offline listening.
Can I redownload previously purchased Apple Music if my storage is full?
Yes, any previously purchased or imported music can be redownloaded from iCloud music library at any time, even if not currently stored locally on your device. You may need to purchase more storage if at capacity.
Conclusion
Having issues getting your iCloud music library to work properly can be frustrating. But in most cases it just takes a little troubleshooting of settings and storage limits to get your music back up and running. Now that you’ve learned how to re-enable iCloud music library and some best practices for avoiding issues, you can rest assured knowing your music collection is safely stored in the cloud.