How To Turn Off Apple Music: Your Definitive Guide

So, you’re ready to break up with Apple Music? Maybe you’ve found another streaming service that sings to your soul, or perhaps you’re just looking to trim down your subscription bill. Whatever the reason, ending your Apple Music relationship is surprisingly straightforward, but the process varies depending on your device. The key takeaway: you’re actually cancelling your subscription, not “turning off” the app itself. Let’s dive into the nitty-gritty.

How to Cancel Your Apple Music Subscription: Step-by-Step

The process hinges on where you subscribed to Apple Music. This affects how you cancel it.

• Via iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch:

  1. Open the Settings app.
  2. Tap your name at the top of the screen.
  3. Select Subscriptions. (If you don’t see “Subscriptions,” tap “iTunes & App Store” instead, then tap your Apple ID, tap “View Apple ID,” sign in if prompted, and look for “Subscriptions.”)
  4. Tap Apple Music Subscription.
  5. Tap Cancel Subscription (or Cancel Free Trial). You might need to scroll down to find it.
  6. Confirm your cancellation.

• Via Mac:

  1. Open the App Store app.
  2. Click your name or the Sign In button in the sidebar.
  3. Click View Information at the top of the window. You might be asked to sign in.
  4. Scroll to the Manage section, then click Manage next to Subscriptions.
  5. Click Edit next to your Apple Music subscription.
  6. Click Cancel Subscription (or Cancel Free Trial).
  7. Confirm your cancellation.

• Via Android:

  1. Open the Apple Music app.
  2. Tap the three dots (menu) in the upper-right corner.
  3. Tap Account.
  4. Tap Manage Subscription. You will be redirected to Google Play subscription management.
  5. Tap Cancel Subscription.
  6. Follow the on-screen instructions to confirm.

• Via Windows:

  1. Open the Apple Music app or the iTunes app.
  2. Click Account in the menu bar.
  3. Choose View My Account. You may need to sign in.
  4. In the Account Information page, scroll down to the Settings section.
  5. Click Manage next to Subscriptions.
  6. Click Edit next to your Apple Music subscription.
  7. Click Cancel Subscription (or Cancel Free Trial).
  8. Confirm your cancellation.

Important Considerations:

• Cancellation Timing: Cancelling your subscription stops future billing. You’ll generally continue to have access to Apple Music until the end of your current billing cycle.
• Apple One: If you have Apple Music as part of an Apple One bundle, canceling Apple Music cancels the entire bundle. You’ll need to manage your Apple One subscription separately to remove just Apple Music.
• Family Sharing: If you’re part of a Family Sharing plan, the organizer controls the subscriptions. If they cancel Apple Music, it’s cancelled for everyone in the family group.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Cancelling Apple Music

Here are some of the most common questions surrounding Apple Music cancellations, designed to provide comprehensive clarity.

Will I lose my downloaded music immediately after cancelling?

No, you won’t lose access immediately. Your downloaded music and playlists will remain accessible until the end of your current billing cycle. After that, you will no longer be able to stream or play downloaded content from Apple Music without an active subscription. You’ll need to purchase the music to keep it permanently.

What happens to my playlists when I cancel Apple Music?

Your playlists are stored in the cloud and linked to your Apple ID. After your subscription expires, they won’t be accessible within the Apple Music app. However, the playlist data itself remains tied to your Apple ID. If you resubscribe to Apple Music later, your playlists should reappear. Consider exporting your playlists to a different format (like M3U) as a backup. Several third-party tools can assist with this process.

Can I still use iTunes after cancelling Apple Music?

Yes, you can absolutely still use iTunes (or the Apple Music app on newer macOS versions) after cancelling your Apple Music subscription. iTunes functions as a media player and library manager for your own music files, whether ripped from CDs or purchased digitally. You just won’t be able to stream or access Apple Music’s library.

How do I cancel Apple Music if I’m being billed through a third party?

If your Apple Music subscription is billed through a third party (like a mobile carrier or another service provider), you’ll need to cancel your subscription directly through them. Contact the third-party provider and follow their specific cancellation instructions. Apple won’t be able to manage your subscription in this scenario.

What if I accidentally cancelled my Apple Music subscription?

You can usually reactivate your subscription if you cancelled it recently and your billing cycle hasn’t ended. Simply go back to the Subscriptions section in your iPhone settings or the App Store on your Mac and look for the option to resubscribe to Apple Music.

Will I get a refund if I cancel my Apple Music subscription mid-month?

Generally, no. Apple Music subscriptions are typically non-refundable. You’ll continue to have access to the service until the end of your current billing cycle, even if you cancel before the end of the month.

How do I remove Apple Music from my iPhone entirely?

You can’t completely remove the Apple Music app from your iPhone in the same way you can remove third-party apps. It’s a system app. However, you can remove it from your Home Screen and disable it from using cellular data. To remove it from the Home Screen, long-press the icon and select “Remove App” and then “Remove from Home Screen.” To disable cellular data, go to Settings > Music and toggle off “Cellular Data.” This will prevent the app from using cellular data unless you’re on Wi-Fi.

How does cancelling Apple Music affect my iCloud Music Library?

Cancelling Apple Music primarily affects your ability to stream and download music from Apple’s catalog. However, if you use iCloud Music Library to sync your own music across devices (music you’ve ripped from CDs or purchased elsewhere), those files will remain in your iCloud Music Library. You just won’t be able to access them through Apple Music after your subscription expires unless you resubscribe.

Can I still listen to Apple Music Radio after cancelling my subscription?

Some Apple Music Radio stations are available for free, even without a subscription. These stations are usually ad-supported. However, the full Apple Music Radio experience, including access to Beats 1 (now Apple Music 1) and ad-free listening, requires an active subscription.

How do I switch from an individual Apple Music plan to a family plan?

Before cancelling your individual plan, you should first set up the Family Sharing feature on your Apple device. Then, subscribe to the Apple Music Family plan. Apple usually handles the transition automatically, crediting any remaining time on your individual plan to your account. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > Family Sharing to configure your family group.

Can I cancel Apple Music on my Apple TV?

Yes, you can cancel Apple Music on your Apple TV. Here’s how:

1. Open the Settings app on your Apple TV.
2. Go to Users and Accounts > [Your Account].
3. Select Subscriptions.
4. Choose Apple Music Subscription.
5. Select Cancel Subscription.

What happens if I renew my Apple Music subscription after cancelling?

When you renew your Apple Music subscription, all your previous playlists, saved music, and library preferences should be restored. This is because your data is linked to your Apple ID. As mentioned earlier, exporting playlists before cancelling is still a good practice as a backup measure.