Experiencing trouble downloading songs from Apple Music for offline listening? You’re not alone. Many Apple Music subscribers encounter frustrating issues where songs fail to download, get stuck, or display error messages. This article explores common problems users face when trying to download songs and provides potential solutions to get your music library downloaded and ready for offline enjoyment.
Common Apple Music Download Problems
Users have reported various issues when attempting to download songs on Apple Music. These include:
- Downloads starting and then abruptly stopping: The download process begins, the spinning wheel appears, but then it halts, and the download icon reappears as if nothing happened.
- Songs stuck in a “downloading” state: The download icon indicates progress, but the download never completes, leaving the song perpetually in limbo.
- Error messages preventing downloads: Users encounter pop-up messages stating “cannot be downloaded” or other unspecified errors, often for seemingly random songs within an album or playlist.
- Inability to download even after adding to library: Following the standard steps to add a song to the library and then download it, the download simply doesn’t initiate or fails midway.
- Issues across devices: Some users find download problems on one device (like a computer) but not on another (like their iPhone), indicating device-specific or account-related glitches.
- Problems with pre-downloaded albums: Users who pre-downloaded albums before release sometimes face persistent download failures even after the official release date.
These problems can be incredibly frustrating, especially for users paying for an Apple Music subscription to enjoy music offline.
Troubleshooting Steps for Download Issues
While the exact cause of these download problems can vary, here are several troubleshooting steps based on user experiences and general best practices that you can try:
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Verify Apple Music Subscription and iCloud Music Library:
Ensure you have an active Apple Music subscription. Offline downloads are a feature for paid subscribers. Also, confirm that iCloud Music Library is turned on in your device settings. This setting syncs your music library across devices and is essential for download functionality. -
Check your Internet Connection:
A stable and strong Wi-Fi connection is crucial for downloading music. While it might seem obvious, briefly check your Wi-Fi signal strength and ensure other internet-dependent apps are working correctly. If on cellular data, verify that Music app has permission to use cellular data for downloads in your settings. -
Restart the Music App and Your Device:
A simple restart can often resolve temporary glitches. Close the Music app completely and reopen it. If the problem persists, restart your iPhone, iPad, Mac, or PC. This can clear temporary caches and processes that might be interfering with downloads. -
“Remove Download” and Redownload:
For songs that are stuck downloading, try to “remove download” (if the option is available – usually accessible by long-pressing or right-clicking the song). After removing, attempt to download the song again. This can sometimes reset a stalled download process. -
Remove from Library and Re-add:
As suggested by some users, removing the problematic song or album entirely from your library and then re-adding it can sometimes trigger a successful download. This might help if there’s an issue with how the song was initially added to your library. To do this:- Find the song or album.
- Click the three dots “…” menu.
- Select “Remove from Library.”
- Search for the song/album again and re-add it to your library.
- Try downloading again.
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Check Device Storage:
Ensure you have sufficient free storage space on your device. Downloads will fail if your device is running out of storage. Check your device’s storage settings and free up space if necessary. -
Sign Out and Sign Back into Apple ID:
Account-related issues can sometimes cause download problems. Try signing out of your Apple ID in your device’s settings (specifically in the “Media & Purchases” section for Music) and then sign back in. This can refresh your account connection with Apple Music services. -
Reset Sync Library (Caution):
As a more drastic measure, you can try to “Reset Sync Library” in Apple Music settings (on Mac, it’s under Music > Settings > General). Be warned: This action can remove all synced music information from your library and requires it to be rebuilt from iCloud Music Library. Use this as a last resort and ensure you have a backup or are comfortable with potentially re-syncing your library. -
Check for Apple Music Service Outages:
In rare cases, Apple Music servers might be experiencing outages or temporary issues. You can check websites like Apple’s System Status page or DownDetector to see if there are reported problems with Apple Music services in your region.
Still Having Issues?
If you’ve tried all these steps and still can’t download songs, the problem might be more specific to your account or device. Consider contacting Apple Support directly. They can provide more personalized troubleshooting and investigate if there’s a deeper issue with your Apple Music account or the specific songs you are trying to download.
Downloading songs for offline listening should be a seamless experience with Apple Music. By systematically troubleshooting, you can often resolve common download problems and get back to enjoying your music on the go.
