iTunes Match has entered the public area ( for the U.S. , at least ) , and it ’s fetch along a spate of questions . Never fear : Macworldis here to facilitate make signified of it all . Here are some of the most common queries , care , and misconceptions about Apple ’s euphony service , laid out for your reading pleasure .
iTunes Match basics
What is iTunes Match ?
iTunes Match is part of Apple ’s iCloud and iTunes in the Cloud go-ahead ( although youdo notneed an iCloud write up to sign up , only an Apple ID associated with iTunes ) . For $ 25 a class , the service does two things : match and upload your music library to a central waiter , and permit you download ( or stream , if you ’re on a computing machine ) those items to gadget you own .
The service process by scanning your library and matching as many tracks as it can with songs from iTunes ’s 20 million Song dynasty catalogue . If iTunescan’tfind a catch , it will upload those unmatched tracks to its central host so that you could swarm or download them to other devices associated with your Apple ID .
Restricted to one: You can’t double-dip an iTunes library for two different Match accounts–not unless you want to wait 90 days.
This gain you in two ways : You do n’t have to manually upload every song in your catalog , and — for Sung that iTunes matches with its catalog — you could re - download high - caliber version of them for gratis .
As such , if you have a poorly - encoded ( or Digital Rights Management - encumbered ) copy of a birdsong you own or have sanction for — and that Sung live in iTunes ’s 20 million song catalogue — you’re able to re - download those caterpillar tread as 256 - kbps DRM - loose AAC files . iTunes Match will provide this service of process for up to 25,000 cut not originally purchased with your Apple ID ; if you have more than that , you ’re currently ineffective to sign up for the service without employ a deception or two .
Why does it be money ?
Restricted to one: You can’t double-dip an iTunes library for two different Match accounts–not unless you want to wait 90 days.
Since iTunes catch is not directly associate with iCloud , it uses freestanding storage for all those tracks you upload . Those repositing monetary value are certainly part of it ; we ’d also venture to guess that Apple has worked out a deal with record company in heed to let you re - download iTunes - encoded written matter of your music ( even if you did n’t in the first place purchase them from the iTunes Store ) . Most likely , this $ 25 fee helps get across that deal , and lets you promote tracks you ’ve pull or received from other sources .
Who can use it ?
Anyone with an Apple ID in the United States . That latter limitation is probable due to medicine licensing restrictions .
Sign up success: After matching and uploading, you’ll see this message in iTunes.
When is it descend to other countries ?
We ’re not sure . Atthe Worldwide Developer ’s Conferencein June , Apple noted that the party hop to roll it out internationally by the destruction of the year ; that engagement has n’t been restate firm , however , probably as a result of pending licensing deals . Right now , we ’re afraid that international drug user will just have to wait patiently .
Does the Apple ID I apply for iTunes Match have to be an iCloud account ?
View the iCloud: Check off iCloud Download and iCloud Status to see how your tracks have been labeled by iTunes Match.
Nope ! If you ’ve been using a separate Apple ID for purchases , that Apple ID will work out just fine for iTunes Match .
How many machine can I use iTunes Match with ?
Apple say that access to some Service ( uploading and matching program library , streaming music ) is limited to 10 devices . This includes estimator , iPhones , iPod spot , iPads , and Apple idiot box .
Even though they aren’t on the iTunes Store, some songs can still be matched and replaced with high-quality iTunes AAC files.
Restricted to one : You ca n’t double - dip an iTunes library for two dissimilar Match account – not unless you want to hold back 90 days .
Can my significant other and I have two separate iTunes equal accounts for one library ?
Unfortunately , no . Due to what we suspect is a disc company limitation , your reckoner can only be associated with one Apple ID for iTunes Match and Past Purchases . If you need to shift it to another Apple ID , you ’ll be able-bodied to do so — but after you switch , you wo n’t be able to change it back for 90 days .
Take it away: Don’t let that song you downloaded for karaoke that one time stay on iTunes Match–hide it from view.
In theory , this prevents you from access to your friend ’s iTunes Match account on your reckoner , downloading all his music , then swapping back to your own . In actuality , it makes it a tad difficult for family who share an iTunes program library , but not an Apple ID . To get around this , we ’d suggest either making separate drug user accounts on your computer , each with their own depository library , or choice - clicking iTunes and create a new library for each phallus of the family .
How do I call on iTunes Match on ?
Senior associate editor Dan Morenhas a great hands - onwith iTunes Match that handle the steps for enabling the service . If you want the brief version :
Down to earth: Delete a track from iCloud, but keep it in your library, and it shows up with an iCloud status of Removed.
On an iOS machine , head to configurations - > Music - > Turn On iTunes Match . On a Mac , open iTunes and click the Store card , then flick Turn On iTunes Match . On an Apple TV , go to Music - > iCloud Library .
signalize up succeeder : After matching and uploading , you ’ll see this content in iTunes .
Match status, uploading, downloading
What variety of contentedness can iTunes Match upload or match ?
you may match or upload any medicine format that ’s compatible with iTunes . That includes AAC , Protected ( DRM ) AAC ( .m4p ) , MP3 , WAV , AIFF , Apple Lossless , and more . you’re able to also re - download music video from the iTunes Store that you earlier purchase , but the service will notmatchvideo content , nor any other iTunes file character ( PDF booklets , Voice Memos ) .
accord toa support documentApple released , you also wo n’t be able to match or upload sure type of Music files : file over 200 MB , DRM - encumbered tracks that you are n’t authorise to dally , DRM - encoded songs purchased from an iTunes Store other than the U.S. version , and any euphony encode at less than 96kbps .
Hard copy: Turn off Show All Music to only view the songs you have on your device.
you may fool iTunes Match on that last one , however , if you create an AAC adaptation of the song within iTunes ( Advanced - > Create AAC Version ) , and then attempt to matchthatversion .
What criteria does iTunes Match use to scan my library ?
We ’re not entirely certain , as Apple ’s kept the exact formula close to its chest . Most likely , it ’s a compounding of ID3 tags and scanning the actual content of the track ( and , for all we fuck , a blood sacrifice and a full moon ) .
Manual addition: iTunes Match will automatically scan most new tunes, but if you need to manually rescan a track for any reason, right-click on it.
What ’s the difference between Matching and Uploading ?
If a song of yours returns as Matched , this have in mind that iTunes has a high - quality adaptation available in its track catalog , and you wo n’t have to upload your current edition . It wo n’t automatically delete your current , low - quality file ; instead , to replace it you ’ll need to edit your current file from your library and re - download .
Uploaded songs are tracks that iTunes Match has not been able to reconcile with its catalog . alternatively , the service will upload that track , as - is , to its waiter for playback .
How can I tell which song have been match ? upload ? download ?
When you first sign up for iTunes Match , wrick on theiCloud Downloadand iCloud Status columns by break to View - > View Options . iCloud Status will let you know which songs in your program library have been matched , uploaded , or otherwise . ( you’re able to read more about what each condition means in this stake , courtesyMacworldeditorial director Jason Snell . )
Where are my uploaded Match songs lay in ?
As part of your $ 25 - per - year subscription , iTunes Match memory board upload songs in a central server ; when you want to act back or download them , that information is re - downloaded locally to your gimmick . This reposition is not associated with your iCloud account .
Does this substitute iTunes Plus ?
If you sign up for iTunes Match , yes ! Previously , users who wished to free their older buy euphony from its DRM shackle would have to pay a 30 - centime - a - track rising slope fee , as part of Apple ’s iTunes Plus service . With iTunes Match , however , that choice go away from the iTunes Store , and you’re able to touch any DRM - laced track you ’re authorized to play , put back it with a DRM - free 256kbps version .
For those who do n’t want to sign up for iTunes Match , you could still use iTunes Plus to convert your tracks for 30 cents a piece .
My family has several Apple Gem State we ’ve used for our euphony . Will iTunes Match countenance us upload other drug user ’ DRM - protected file ?
If you ’re empower to play the filing cabinet , yes ! Read more about amalgamate your medicine in our mail on the matter .
Will Apple know if my music has been illegally download when it matches it ? Will the companionship tell the record companies ?
skillful interrogative sentence . We do n’t recognise — and we ’ve put in a question to Apple about it — but frankly , it does n’t seem likely . For one matter , it may be a concealment usurpation ; if not , it seems like a bad business move to fix up a euphony service to use as a plagiarisation piscary . Until we retrieve out otherwise , it ’s likely that part of that $ 25 subscription fee is going toward placating the record companies on such a topic .
Of naturally , if you ’re really implicated about this , you’re able to do one of two things : Do n’t use iTunes Match at all , or supercede your songs with iTunes - encoded AAC edition . The latter ( done by foreground the track(s ) in interrogation and give out to Advanced - > Create AAC Version ) will convert your track into an iTunes - encode AAC file — just like it would if you ripped it from a CD — and presumptively strip it of any naughty identifier .
iTunes says it ’s tally tracks of mine that it does n’t have in the iTunes Store . What ’s up with that ?
It ’s on-key that iTunes Match is offer matched tracks for creative person it does n’t officially sell in its catalog — AC / DC among them . This may come down to licensing : It ’s potential that criminal record companies and sure artists may be OK with users upgrading their already - possess CD collecting , but they do n’t desire to sell digital euphony . We ’ve put in a postulation for comment from Apple on the matter .
Even though they are n’t on the iTunes Store , some songs can still be touch and replaced with in high spirits - timber iTunes AAC files .
How do I exchange my Matched scurvy - quality tracks with iTunes 256kbps AAC caterpillar tread ?
Make certain iTunes Match has finished scanning your entire subroutine library ; from there , highlight the track you like to supersede , edit them , and re - download them by clicking the iCloud download picture that appears to the right of the track name . you could alsobuild a Smart Playlistto mechanically seek out all infract caterpillar track . ( As always , it ’s a good idea to have a backup of your data point . Before permanently deleting your racetrack by evacuate the chicken feed , be sure that iTunes has completely downloaded the new versions . )
If I delete a file from iTunes in order of magnitude to download the higher - timber version from iTunes Match , does iTunes remember my metadata — paygrade , fiddle counts , usance tags , and the like — when the young version is added ?
It does . Cooler still , if you play a Sung from your Match library on your iPhone , then consider the song in iTunes on your Mac , the gambling count will automatically increase .
I currently use the iTunes arrange to synchronise low - bit - rate versions of my raceway to my iPhone to save space . Is there a way to download modest - quality versions of Matched racecourse to my iPhone ?
Not at this time , though you could pre - charge your equipment with low - chip - pace versions of those songs from iTunes .
Some of my uploaded tracks are in other formats ( Lossless / AIFF / WAV ) . What happens if I seek to download these to other figurer , or my iOS equipment , via iTunes Match ?
We ’ve had conflicting reports here . Apple’sofficial positionis that any Sung dynasty encode in Lossless , AIFF , or WAV will be uploaded as a 256kbps AAC Indian file to the swarm . Macworld’sChristopher Breen , however , has not found that to be the case : He was able to upload AIFF and WAV file to iTunes Match and re - download it in the original formatting , no AAC version to be found . He ’s investigating further , and we ’ll let you get it on .
Playing iTunes Match songs on your Mac and on iOS
So , waitress . Do my iTunes Match song stream , or download ?
On a Mac , any swarm - hive away vocal will ( by default ) stream over the aura when play , though you’re able to download them at any sentence by snap the iCloud download button . On an iOS machine , though , you ’re demand to download the track in full — possibly so that you ’ll be able-bodied to listen to that song even if your web joining short out . Your raceway will get down to act before it finishes download , so you ’ll be capable to listen to any racecourse you pick almost forthwith . Malus pumila TVs only have the option to rain cats and dogs songs , as they do n’t have any storage capability .
I downloaded a vocal to represent on my iOS machine , but now I do n’t want it anymore . How do I get free of it ?
Open up the Music app , find the offending Sung dynasty , and swipe to erase it .
Will iTunes Match songs download over 3 G on my iOS gadget ?
They will , but only if you allow them to . voyage to configurations - > Store on your gimmick . The Use Cellular Data transposition will enable you to download subject matter over 3 GB ; turn it off if you ’d rather download over Wi - Fi .
Can I tell iTunes Match not to sync certain strain ?
Yes , but it ’s a bite complicated .
Take it away : Do n’t permit that Song dynasty you downloaded for karaoke that one fourth dimension stay on iTunes Match – enshroud it from purview .
If you do n’t want iTunes Match to display certain purchased tracks ( say , you downloaded a Spice Girls album in your new and waxy younker ) , head to the iTunes Store on your Mac and click the Purchased link in the right sidebar . Hover over the track in interrogation and snap the X button to hide them . you could do this on your iOS machine by going to the iTunes app and tap purchase , then purloin on a track to hide it . To view hidden tracks , go to the iTunes Store on your Mac , press your email address , and scroll down to View Hidden Purchases .
If you desire to avoid syncing songs in your subroutine library with iTunes Match , you could tag them as Podcasts or Audiobooks ; unfortunately , they ’ll have to continue like that as long as you have iTunes Match enabled .
Another alternative is to sync your entire music library with iTunes Match , then enable Match on a secondary computing gadget ( or a second iTunes library ) . On this secondary computer , situate the call you desire to remove ( they ’ll show up in your program library with an iCloud download ikon ) , highlight them , and insistence delete . When you return to your original medicine library , those download tracks will still exist , but they ’ll show up with an iCloud status of Removed , with an icon of a cloud with an X through it . iTunes Match will continue to scannewtracks from your library , but Removed rails will stay out of the cloud unless you manually tell them to re - sync with Match .
Do my playlist sync across devices ?
Yes , they do ! you could produce , edit , or edit a playlist on your Mac , PC , iPhone or iPad , and those change will sync across any iTunes Match - enable equipment you own . One caveat : Playlists with ineligible file in them ( telecasting , Voice Memos , or PDFs , for object lesson ) will not sync .
Hard transcript : twist off Show All Music to only view the song you have on your twist .
I do n’t want to see any music I do n’t have on my equipment , but I do n’t want to change by reversal off iTunes Match . How can I hide cloud - establish songs ?
Both iTunes and the Music app have preferences which tolerate you to hide song not on your equipment . On your Mac , open iTunes and Go to Music - > Hide Music Not On This Computer . On your iOS twist , go to preferences - > Music and turn off the Show All Music toggle .
Troubleshooting, Misc
What if I have more than 25,000 non - purchased track ?
There are a distich tricks to get around this — chopping up your program library , or tag some of your songs as Podcasts or Audiobooks — but there ’s unfortunately no easy way to go about it as of yet . For that , we ’ll have to wait and see if Apple expand the turn of caterpillar track you may add , or develops a way for users to sign up even if they have more than 25,000 songs .
Can I practice iTunes Match to imitate the songs from one computer to another ?
Yes , but unless you ’re also trying to up - convert non - purchased track , it may be profligate to do this with Home Sharing ( or bycopying your music library to the other car ) .
If I sync music to my iOS machine via iTunes , will it replace my euphony with iTunes Match call ?
As we discovered during our testing , it depends . If your iOS machine was sync to a music library you ’ve connected to iTunes Match , it will onlysupplementyour currently sync content , leave already - synced song alone and adding iCloud download icon for those that have n’t been added to your machine . If it ’s synced with musicnotin your iTunes Match collection , however , all of that will be replaced .
I want iTunes Match on my computers , but not on my Io devices . Can I still sync music normally ?
Absolutely . If you forget the iTunes Match on-off switch flipped off on your iOS gimmick , it will continue to sync normally with your data processor — even if that electronic computer is using iTunes Match .
What if I append new music to my program library ? Do I have to manually tell iTunes Match to read it ?
Nope . iTunes Match will mechanically rescan for content every so often , though you may force a refresh by going to Store - > Update iTunes Match within iTunes . If you draw into erroneousness on single song , or you have song track as Removed that you ’d like to re - add , you could manually separate Match to read those songs by right - clicking on a song and clicking Add To iCloud .
Now that I ’ve uploaded and matched everything , I want to trust in the swarm . Can I delete everything off my computer and just utilize my stored Match collection from iCloud ?
Sure . Apple does n’t expect you to have a local transcript of your files , so you’re able to theoretically match and upload everything to the cloud , then delete all those files from your computer . We will say , however , that while it ’s probable that the iTunes Match servers are ironclad , and there ’s short risk of losing your information , fly withoutanybackup is never something we urge . ( If you require to save outer space on your main computer , you should make a transcript of your iTunes Media pamphlet and stick it on an external ride , at the very least . )
Nope . Any songs you ’ve upgraded or download again are altogether safe . The only thing you recede is the central warehousing — iCloud will no longer have you rain buckets or download matched or uploaded song to your various equipment .
older editor in chief Chris Breen and staff author Lex Friedman contributed to this fib .
[ Serenity Caldwell is a Macworld staff editor program . ]
Updated at 8:24 a.m PT to add up a doubtfulness about song deletion on iOS .
