To "undownload" music on Apple Music means removing songs or albums that you've downloaded to your device, effectively freeing up storage space. This process keeps the music in your Apple Music library for streaming, allowing you to re-download it later if needed.
How to Remove Downloaded Music from Apple Music
Removing downloaded music from your Apple device is a straightforward process within the Apple Music app. Follow these steps to "undownload" your music:
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Open the Apple Music App: Launch the Apple Music application on your iPhone, iPad, or Android device.
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Locate the Music: Navigate to the song or album you wish to undownload. You can easily find your downloaded music by going to the "Library" tab, then tapping "Downloaded," and selecting "Songs" or "Albums."
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Touch and Hold: Touch and hold (long-press) on the specific song or album artwork you want to remove. A contextual menu will appear.
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Select 'Remove': From the options that pop up, tap on Remove.
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Choose 'Remove Download': You will then see two primary options:
- Remove Download: Tap this option to only remove the downloaded file from the device you are currently using. The song or album will remain in your Apple Music library and can be streamed or downloaded again on any device. This is the action for "undownloading."
- Delete from Library: This option permanently removes the song or album from your entire Apple Music library (iCloud Music Library), making it inaccessible on all your devices. Only choose this if you no longer want the music to be part of your collection.
To simply free up space, always choose Remove Download.
Understanding the Difference: Remove Download vs. Delete from Library
It's important to differentiate between these two actions to manage your music effectively and avoid unintended deletions.
| Action | Impact on Device Storage | Impact on Apple Music Library | Primary Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Remove Download | Frees up space on only the current device. | Stays in your Apple Music library. | Ideal for freeing up storage on a specific device while retaining access to stream or re-download the music. |
| Delete from Library | Removes downloaded files from all devices linked to your Apple ID. | Removed from your entire Apple Music library (iCloud Music Library). | Use when you no longer want a specific song or album associated with your Apple Music account across all devices. |
For more detailed information, you can refer to Apple's support articles on adding and downloading music from Apple Music and deleting songs and albums from your library.
Why Undownload Music?
Removing downloaded music is a common practice for several practical reasons:
- Free Up Storage Space: Music files, especially high-quality ones, can quickly consume a significant portion of your device's storage. "Undownloading" is a quick and effective way to reclaim valuable space.
- Optimize Device Performance: Devices with low storage can sometimes experience performance issues. Freeing up space can contribute to a smoother user experience.
- Manage Music Across Devices: You might want to have certain music available offline on your iPhone for commutes, but not necessarily on your iPad or other devices. Removing downloads allows for tailored music collections per device.
- Declutter Your Downloads: Over time, you might download music for specific events or phases that you no longer need offline. Removing these helps keep your downloaded music list organized.
Additional Tips for Managing Downloaded Music
- View All Downloaded Music: To see everything you've downloaded, open the Apple Music app, go to your Library, tap Downloaded, and then select Songs or Albums. This provides a clear overview of your offline collection.
- Optimize Storage Automatically: For iOS devices, Apple Music offers a smart feature to automatically remove downloaded songs you haven't played in a while when your device storage is low. Enable this by going to Settings > Music > Optimize Storage.
- Remove All Downloads from a Device: If you wish to clear all downloaded music from a specific device at once, navigate to Settings > Music > Downloaded Music. From there, you can swipe left on "All Songs" or individual artists/albums to remove their downloads quickly.
By understanding these options and utilizing the Apple Music app's features, you can efficiently manage your downloaded music, ensuring your device has ample storage while keeping your music library perfectly organized.
