What happens when you cancel Apple Music?
When you cancel your Apple Music subscription, you will no longer be able to stream or download music from the Apple Music catalog. However, any music you have downloaded to your device will remain available for playback as long as it is stored locally.
Here’s what happens in more detail when you cancel Apple Music:
- You will no longer be billed the monthly subscription fee for Apple Music after your current billing cycle ends.
- You will lose access to stream or download any music from the Apple Music catalog. This includes any playlists or albums you have saved.
- Any music you previously downloaded for offline listening will remain on your device and you can continue listening to those downloaded songs.
- You will lose access to any iCloud Music Library content that is not also in your local iTunes library.
- Any playlists you created and saved will no longer be updated if new songs are added to the Apple Music catalog.
- You will not be able to access music videos, exclusive content, or listen to Beats1 radio.
- Your Apple Music profile and settings will be retained in case you decide to resubscribe in the future.
So in summary, you keep any music you’ve downloaded but lose access to stream, download new music, or access Apple Music exclusives when you unsubscribe. Your account itself will be retained if you ever want to reactivate the subscription.
What music can I listen to after canceling Apple Music?
After canceling Apple Music, you can listen to any music that you already own and is stored locally on your device. This includes:
- Music purchased through iTunes that is downloaded onto your device
- CDs ripped to iTunes and copied to your device
- MP3s or other audio files added to your iTunes library from other sources and synced to your device
- Any music downloaded from Apple Music for offline listening before you canceled will remain accessible
You just lose access to the full Apple Music streaming catalog of over 90 million songs. But anything in your personal iTunes library and offline downloads will continue to be playable.
Can I redownload Apple Music songs after canceling?
No, you cannot redownload songs from the Apple Music catalog after canceling your subscription. Anything you want to keep playable after canceling needs to be downloaded before your subscription ends.
Some Apple Music songs may appear grayed out after canceling, but you should still be able to access songs downloaded before that point. If you try redownloading them, you’ll get an error message that the content is no longer available.
The only way to regain download access is to resubscribe to Apple Music. Then all previously added content will become available again.
What happens to my playlists if I cancel Apple Music?
Here’s what happens to your Apple Music playlists when you cancel:
- Playlists created from your local iTunes library will be unaffected and continue to function normally.
- Any smart playlists or autoplaylists (like Recently Added) will update only based on your local music.
- Playlists featuring only Apple Music songs will show those tracks as grayed out, since you no longer have streaming access.
- Playlists with a mix of local and Apple Music songs will show the streamed songs as unavailable.
- You won’t be able to edit or add music to Apple Music playlists after canceling.
So your own playlists stay intact, but lose some functionality without an Apple Music subscription. Playlists made up entirely of Apple Music tracks will be completely unusable unless you resubscribe.
Can I use tracks downloaded from Apple Music in DJ software?
Yes, any Apple Music tracks you download for offline playback before canceling your subscription can continue to be used within DJ apps like Virtual DJ or Serato.
The songs act just like regular local audio files as long as they are stored on your device. You load them into your DJ software like normal tracks from your iTunes library.
The main limitation is that once you cancel Apple Music, you can’t download any new tracks to use in your DJ sets. But anything previously downloaded can still be mixed, scratched, and used creatively even without a paid subscription.
So if you cancel Apple Music, be sure to download any content you think you’ll want to include in future DJ sets beforehand. Those files will remain fully functional for your mixing needs after cancellation.
Can I keep my personalized playlists and mixes if I resubscribe later?
Yes, Apple Music will save your account data for at least 6 months after canceling your subscription. This includes:
- Personal playlists you’ve created
- Music you’ve added to your Library
- Playback history and preferences used for personalized mixes
- Followed artists and interests to customize recommendations
So if you resubscribe to Apple Music down the road, all of your previous settings and preferences will be restored. You’ll get back personalized playlists like My Chill Mix and My Favorites Mix with all your additions intact.
Your full listening history is saved too, so Apple Music’s algorithm can continue generating fresh recommendations based on the songs you previously enjoyed.
It’s as if you never canceled in the first place – your account picks up right where you left off once you reactivate your subscription.
What happens to downloaded Apple Music songs if I get a new device?
Apple Music songs downloaded for offline playback are encrypted with your user credentials. This means downloaded songs are only playable on devices logged into your Apple ID.
If you get a brand new device and log in with your Apple ID, you can transfer over downloaded Apple Music songs through a wired connection in iTunes. They will only work on that new device while logged into your account.
However, if you cancel Apple Music, offline downloads will no longer be transferrable. Without an active subscription, there is no authorization to play those downloads on a new device.
The only downloads that are device agnostic are purchased iTunes songs. So if you want portable music after canceling Apple Music, be sure to actually buy your favorite tracks before your subscription ends.
Can I use Apple Music on multiple devices with the same account?
Yes, an Apple Music subscription allows streaming and downloading from the catalog on up to 10 devices using the same Apple ID account.
You can also share your subscription with up to 5 family members through Apple’s Family Sharing feature. This allows each person their own Apple Music library and personalized playlists while sharing the cost of a single monthly subscription.
So with a single Apple Music subscription, you can:
- Stream music from the catalog on up to 10 devices logged into your Apple ID
- Download songs for offline listening on up to 10 devices
- Share subscription access with up to 5 family members
When you cancel Apple Music, you lose catalog access and offline downloads on all devices logged into that account. Family members also lose their shared access to the subscription benefits.
What are some alternatives to Apple Music?
Here are some top alternatives to consider if you want to cancel Apple Music:
| Service | Price (per month) | Song Catalog | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spotify | $9.99 Premium | Over 82 million | Playlists, podcasts, social sharing |
| YouTube Music | $9.99 Premium | Over 80 million | Official videos, playlists, smart search |
| Amazon Music | $7.99 for Prime members | Over 90 million | Discount for Prime, podcasts, HD streaming |
| Pandora | $4.99 Premium | Limited music library | Custom radio stations |
These all offer similar on-demand streaming access and offline downloads. Spotify and YouTube Music have comparable massive catalogs, while Amazon Music is discounted for Prime members. Pandora focuses more on radio-style listening.
It’s worth exploring Spotify, YouTube Music, and others to compare their library, features, and pricing against Apple Music when considering whether to cancel your subscription.
What if I change my mind later and want to resubscribe?
No problem! Resubscribing to Apple Music is quick and easy if you change your mind down the road.
Here’s how to resubscribe after canceling:
- Open the Music app on your iPhone, iPad or other Apple device.
- Tap the Listen Now tab at the bottom.
- Tap the account icon in the top right corner.
- Tap the Subscribe button and follow prompts to resubscribe.
Your Apple Music account, preferences, playlists, and listening history will be exactly how you left them. You pick up right where you left off with access to the full Apple Music catalog again.
You can also resubscribe by visiting music.apple.com and signing in with your Apple ID. Just click Account > View My Membership and follow prompts to reactivate your subscription.
And that’s it! Canceling Apple Music is totally flexible, so don’t hesitate to resubscribe anytime if you want access back.
Conclusion
Canceling Apple Music means losing access to a huge catalog of songs for streaming and downloads, but music you own remains playable. Downloads stay on your devices, but can’t be transferred or redownloaded. Playlists lose some functionality without a subscription.
Apple saves your data for at least 6 months, so resubscribing is quick and brings back personalized playlists, preferences, and listening history. Compare other options like Spotify before deciding whether to stay canceled. With an easy resubscribe process, you can always come back to Apple Music later hassle-free.