While trying Apple Music this summer, I must have switched on the iCloud Music Library functions. I finished using Apple Music, and I would like to get rid of that iCloud Music Library.
I'd like to return to…
- having my music on my Mac
- syncing selected playlists, albums and artists to my iOS devices
- NOT having my music on iCloud at all
I am on OS X 10.11.1 and iTunes 12.3.1 on the Mac and iOS 9.2 on my iPhone and iPad.
How can I accomplish this?
Update:
of course, I have googled this, resulting either in
- partial (iOS only),
- outdated (iTunes 12.x seems to have had a switch in Preferences that 12.3. doesn't have) or
- immensely unattractive (restore iTunes Library from TimeMachine – I would have to go back to June, it is November now…)
solutions.
On my iPhone, I was able to have it show only music that is stored locally on my iPhone.
On my Mac in iTunes, it tells me to log into iCloud regularly. Often, I see duplicate entries in my playlists. When I rip a CD, it will get uploaded to iCloud. Sometimes, I cannot see my music library but the spinning circle with the message "connecting to iCloud".
I don't like this at all, and frankly, I'm quite upset about Apple's policy…
Best Answer
I had the same problem. I searched and found a few articles and threads that dealt with similar issues. It looks like the option to turn off iCloud Music Library for both the iPhone and Mac has been hidden in iTunes >> Preferences >> General. Uncheck the box next to "Show Apple Music". After unchecking the box you are given a message about iCloud Music Library. Next, you will want to reset your iCloud Music Library settings in iTunes. Go to Store >> View Account, enter your Apple ID and Password, then click "View Account". Once the Account Information page loads, scroll to the bottom and click the "Reset" button for the option to reset iCloud Music Library. You will be asked to delete all of the music and libraries stored in iCloud Music Library. Check "I Understand", and click "Reset". After you confirm and click "Reset Now", quit iTunes. Links to the full articles:
Now, verify that the settings are correct on your iPhone. Go to Settings >> Music. Under Apple Music, slide OFF "Show Apple Music". Finally, Power off your iPhone for 30 seconds and then power back on. If the music library on your iPhone still contains music from iCloud, tap the Music app, tap Library at the top, tap the red text (will read either: Artists, Albums, Songs, Music Videos, Genres, Composers, or Compilations), then slide ON "Only Offline Music".
Following these steps should provide the results you are trying to obtain. It deletes any music and libraries from iCloud but leaves your original library in tact, allowing you to continue syncing selected playlist, albums, and artists to your iOS devices.