How to Remove Apple Music: The Definitive Guide

Want to ditch the Apple Music beat? Whether you’re migrating to Spotify, Tidal, or simply prefer owning your music, removing Apple Music from your devices is a straightforward process. This guide will walk you through exactly how to remove the Apple Music app and subscription across various platforms.

Removing Apple Music: A Step-by-Step Breakdown

The method for removing Apple Music depends on the device or platform you’re using. Here’s a comprehensive breakdown:

1. Cancelling Your Apple Music Subscription

This is crucial! Even if you remove the app, you’ll still be billed if your subscription remains active.

• On iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch:

  1. Open the Settings app.
  2. Tap your name at the top.
  3. Tap Subscriptions.
  4. Find Apple Music Subscription.
  5. Tap Cancel Subscription. (If you don’t see a Cancel Subscription button, the subscription is already cancelled and will not renew.)
  6. Confirm your cancellation.

• On a Mac:

  1. Open the Music app.
  2. From the menu bar, choose Account > View My Account. You might be asked to sign in.
  3. Scroll down to the Subscriptions section, and click Manage.
  4. Find Apple Music Subscription, and click Edit.
  5. Click Cancel Subscription.
  6. Confirm your cancellation.

• On an Android Device:

  1. Open the Apple Music app.
  2. Tap the three dots (menu) in the upper-right corner.
  3. Tap Account.
  4. Tap Manage Subscription.
  5. Tap Cancel Subscription.
  6. Confirm your cancellation.

• On Windows:

  1. Open iTunes.
  2. From the menu bar, choose Account > View My Account.
  3. Sign in with your Apple ID.
  4. Scroll down to the Settings section and click Manage next to Subscriptions.
  5. Find Apple Music Subscription, and click Edit.
  6. Click Cancel Subscription.
  7. Confirm your cancellation.

• On Apple TV:

  1. Go to Settings > Users and Accounts > [Your Account Name] > Subscriptions.
  2. Find Apple Music Subscription.
  3. Select Cancel Subscription.
  4. Confirm your cancellation.

Important Note: Cancelling your subscription typically stops future billing but allows you to continue using Apple Music until the end of your current billing cycle.

2. Removing the Apple Music App

Now that your subscription is cancelled, you can remove the app.

• On iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch:

  1. Touch and hold the Apple Music app icon on your home screen.
  2. Tap Remove App (or “Delete App” depending on your iOS version).
  3. Tap Delete to confirm.

• On Android:

  1. Open your device’s Settings app.
  2. Tap Apps (or “Applications,” “Apps & Notifications,” depending on your Android version).
  3. Find the Apple Music app in the list.
  4. Tap Uninstall.
  5. Confirm your decision.

• On Mac: The Music app is typically integrated with macOS and cannot be entirely removed without potentially destabilizing your system. However, you can prevent it from launching on startup and disable features (see FAQ below).

• On Windows:

  1. Open the Start menu.
  2. Search for “Apps & features” and open it.
  3. Find Apple Music in the list of apps.
  4. Click Uninstall.
  5. Follow the on-screen instructions.

3. Removing Downloaded Music

After removing the app, you might want to clear any downloaded Apple Music files to free up storage.

• On iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch:

  1. Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage (or iPad Storage).
  2. Find Music.
  3. Tap Edit in the top right corner.
  4. Tap the minus (-) button next to “All Songs.”
  5. Tap Delete. Alternatively, you can delete individual albums and songs within the Music app before deleting the app.

• On Android:

  1. Open your device’s File Manager app.
  2. Navigate to the folder where Apple Music downloads are stored. (This is often in the “Android/data/com.apple.android.music” folder).
  3. Select the Apple Music folder and delete it. (Note: the exact location might vary depending on your device and Android version).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some common questions about removing Apple Music:

1. What happens to my purchased iTunes music if I cancel Apple Music?

Your purchased iTunes music is separate from your Apple Music subscription. It will remain available to you after you cancel your subscription. You can access it through the Music app on your Apple devices or iTunes on your computer.

2. Can I re-subscribe to Apple Music later?

Absolutely! You can re-subscribe to Apple Music at any time. Simply open the Music app and follow the prompts to start a new subscription.

3. How do I prevent the Music app from automatically opening on my Mac?

You can manage startup items in System Settings on your Mac:

• Go to System Settings > General > Login Items.
• Find the Music app in the list of “Open at Login” items.
• Turn off the toggle switch next to it.

4. I deleted the app, but the Apple Music icon still appears on my iPhone. Why?

This might be a display issue. Try restarting your iPhone. If the icon persists, go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Home Screen Layout. This will reset your home screen to its default configuration, removing any lingering icons.

5. How do I remove Apple Music from CarPlay?

Removing the Apple Music app from your phone will also remove it from CarPlay. CarPlay simply mirrors the apps installed on your iPhone.

6. Will cancelling Apple Music delete my entire music library?

No. Cancelling Apple Music does not delete your entire music library. It only removes access to the streaming service. Your purchased iTunes music and any music files you’ve uploaded to iCloud Music Library (if you use that feature) will remain.

7. I’m on a family sharing plan. How does cancelling my subscription affect other family members?

If you are the family organizer and you cancel the Apple Music family subscription, all family members will lose access to Apple Music. If you are a family member on someone else’s plan, cancelling your individual subscription (if you have one) will not affect the rest of the family.

8. How do I turn off iCloud Music Library?

iCloud Music Library syncs your music across devices. To turn it off:

• On iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch: Go to Settings > Music and toggle off “Sync Library”.
• On Mac: Open the Music app, go to Music > Settings > General and uncheck “Sync Library”.
• On Windows: Open iTunes, go to Edit > Preferences > General and uncheck “iCloud Music Library”.

9. I cancelled my subscription, but I’m still seeing Apple Music features in my iTunes/Music app. How do I remove them?

These features are often integrated. You can try the following:

• Disable “Show Apple Music” in iTunes/Music settings. (This option might not be available in all versions).
• Restart your computer.

10. How do I remove Apple Music from my Apple Watch?

Apple Music on your Apple Watch relies on the app on your iPhone. Removing the app from your iPhone will effectively remove Apple Music from your Watch. You might also need to manually remove downloaded music directly from your Watch via the Watch app on your iPhone: My Watch > Music > Edit > Remove.

11. What if I have trouble cancelling my subscription through the methods listed above?

Contact Apple Support directly. They can assist you with any subscription-related issues.

12. Can I get a refund if I cancel my Apple Music subscription early?

Typically, Apple does not offer refunds for partial subscription periods. You will usually retain access to Apple Music until the end of your current billing cycle. Check Apple’s terms and conditions for more specific information.

By following these steps, you can confidently remove Apple Music from your devices and manage your music experience on your own terms. Whether you’re switching to a different service or simply decluttering your digital life, this guide has you covered.