A common frustration for Apple Music users is discovering that they can’t delete songs from their library even after downloading them. While Apple Music allows you to download songs for offline playback, those downloaded tracks are still ultimately controlled by Apple. This means that users do not have the option to remove songs from their Apple Music library like they would with tracks purchased outright or ripped from a CD.
This inability to delete tracks can clutter up libraries and creates a disconnect for users accustomed to having full ownership over their music collections. While there are some workarounds, the restrictions stem from the differences between downloading vs. streaming, as well as the delineation between your personal library and Apple’s broader catalog. Understanding how Apple Music functions can provide insight into why deletion is restricted.
How Apple Music Works
Apple Music is a streaming music service, which means users pay a monthly subscription fee to access Apple’s library of over 75 million songs, but do not actually own or download the song files (Tom’s Guide, 2022). Instead, songs are streamed on-demand from Apple’s servers over the internet. This is different from iTunes, Apple’s previous digital music store where users paid per song or album to download copies to own.
With Apple Music, your library and playlists are stored in your account, separate from Apple’s library. You can make playlists, get recommendations, and listen to music both online and offline. But you cannot buy or own specific tracks. The songs themselves remain part of Apple’s catalog. This leads to limitations around downloading and deleting, which we’ll explore next.
Your Library vs Apple’s Library
With Apple Music, there is a key distinction between songs in your personal music library and Apple’s larger catalog of over 90 million songs and other audio content (Apple.com). Your personal library consists of songs you have added yourself from owned CDs or purchases, while Apple’s library is their full selection available for streaming.
When you subscribe to Apple Music, your personal library is what will primarily appear on your device and in the My Music section. Your own songs do not get deleted when you subscribe. Apple’s catalog is accessible when you search for something new to stream and download temporarily onto your device (Reddit r/AppleMusic).
This key difference between the two libraries can explain why downloaded Apple Music tracks later disappear, while your own personal songs remain intact in your library. The streaming songs are technically borrowed, not owned.
Downloading vs Streaming on Apple Music
When you add a track to your Apple Music library, you have the option to download it for offline listening or stream it directly from Apple’s servers (source: https://www.tiktok.com/discover/streaming-music-vs-original). Downloaded tracks act more like purchases – they are saved locally on your device and accessible even without an internet connection. Streamed tracks on the other hand require an internet connection to Apple’s servers in order to play.
This distinction between downloading and streaming is a source of confusion for many Apple Music users. When you download a track, it feels like you “own” it, even though you’re merely licensing it as part of your Apple Music subscription. However, Apple retains full control over downloads, meaning there is no way for users to independently manage, edit, or delete downloaded content (source: https://www.reddit.com/r/IsItBullshit/comments/fsba9i/is_it_bullshit_for_40000_plays_on_spotify_artists/).
Why Apple Doesn’t Allow Deletion
Apple Music operates on a licensing model where Apple pays royalty fees to record labels and artists in order to offer streaming access to songs in their catalog. Unlike purchasing and downloading songs, streaming does not transfer ownership or rights to the end user. As stated in their Terms of Use, “You do not acquire any ownership rights in the cloud content” (source).
With a streaming service, users pay a recurring subscription fee for access. Apple needs to fulfill licensing terms by ensuring streamed songs are not deleted or permanently stored by users. Any manipulation – like deletions – would essentially break the terms of their agreements. According to an Apple discussion thread, downloaded songs are “locked” to prevent improper usage (source).
The streaming and access-based business model of Apple Music is fundamentally different from purchasing albums or songs to own. Apple’s hands are tied in disallowing deletions because of the complicated web of licensing contracts with major record labels.
When Tracks Can Be Deleted
There are a few exceptions where users can delete tracks from their Apple Music library. The main exception is for tracks that have been downloaded for offline listening. When you download a track using Apple Music, it saves a copy of that song file to your device’s storage. This allows you to listen to it even when you don’t have an internet connection. According to Apple’s support site, any downloaded song files can be deleted manually by the user:
Downloaded music is saved on your device. You can delete it anytime.
So if there is a track in your library that you no longer want, you can delete the downloaded copy from your device storage to remove it. This will delete the local file while keeping the song in your Apple Music catalog in the cloud. Just note that if you re-download it, the song will be added back to your library.
The ability to delete downloaded tracks gives users some control over storage and removing unwanted songs. But it doesn’t allow altering the actual Apple Music collection or playlists.
Workarounds
Since deleting songs is not possible in Apple Music, users have come up with some workaround solutions to essentially “hide” tracks they don’t want to see or play:
You can hide tracks in your Apple Music library which removes them from view in the app. According to Apple’s support page, hiding a track greys out the track name and removes it from playlists or the Up Next queue. However, it does not delete the track from Apple’s servers.
Another option is to contact Apple Support and request specific tracks or albums be removed from your account recommendations and search results. Apple Support may be able to block them on your account so you no longer see them pop up.
While these do not permanently delete the tracks, they can help reduce clutter and remove unwanted songs from your daily Apple Music experience.
Apple’s Perspective
Apple has stated that the inability to delete songs from Apple Music is largely due to licensing costs and providing a seamless user experience.
The record labels require Apple to pay substantial licensing fees in order to offer songs through its streaming music service. Once a user downloads or streams a song, Apple is obligated to pay a royalty for that use. If users could freely delete songs, it would be harder for Apple to track what content is being consumed and how much they owe in royalties. By restricting deletion, Apple can more accurately account for royalty payments.
Additionally, Apple wants to provide a unified ecosystem between purchased songs, streamed songs, and downloaded songs. Allowing users to delete certain songs could create a confusing, fragmented experience. Apple aims to make it simple for users to access their entire music library seamlessly across devices.
While restricting deletion causes some frustration for users, Apple has determined that the licensing and technical challenges outweigh those concerns. They aim to balance consumer demands with creating a streamlined platform. However, Apple has addressed bugs that were wrongly deleting users’ music libraries and is working to improve the experience.
User Frustrations
One of the biggest frustrations users have with being unable to delete songs they have downloaded from Apple Music is that they pay an unlimited access subscription, yet do not have full control over the content. As one user complained on Apple’s discussion forums, “I pay £10 a month for Apple Music so I can play offline when I have no signal. But when my storage gets full, I cannot delete the songs I have saved for offline listening and redownload different songs for when I next have no signal.” [1]
With unlimited downloads available through their Apple Music subscriptions, users don’t understand why there are restrictions on managing that downloaded content. This makes the “unlimited” access seem deceptive in cases when storage fills up but users can’t remove songs they no longer want in order to download new ones. Essentially, subscribers feel they are paying for a service which restricts their access and control.
Closing Thoughts
In summary, Apple Music doesn’t allow users to directly delete songs from their Apple Music library due to a fundamental difference between how streaming services work compared to music purchases. Apple Music stores all of its vast catalog of songs in the cloud and allows users to stream that content. Users don’t technically own or store songs locally when streaming from Apple Music. This enables access to a huge music library but prevents users from managing that library by deleting individual tracks.
While Apple likely has valid reasons for this limitation, it can definitely cause frustration among some users who want more control over the music in their Apple Music library. Workarounds like hiding tracks provide a partial solution. But many users reasonably expect the ability to add and remove music from their personal library at will, like with songs purchased on iTunes. Apple faces pressure from competitors like Spotify that do allow deleting tracks. As streaming continues dominating music consumption, Apple may need to reevaluate its rigid approach to libraries. For now, understanding the difference between streaming rights and music ownership helps explain this controversial Apple Music policy.