How to Match Apple Music with iCloud Music Library

Step 1. Add Songs to Your Apple Music Library

First, add your songs to Apple Music. Supported file formats include MP3, AAC, AIFF, Apple Lossless, and WAV. For example, drag MP3s or other files into the Music or iTunes app, or use File > Import. Once they're in your library, Apple Music can scan them and try to match them. Make sure all the songs you want are included.

On Mac or PC

1. Open the Music app (Mac) or iTunes (Windows).
2. Go to File > Import or File > Add Files/Folder to Library and select your files.
3. Once imported, your songs will appear in the Songs section of your library.

Step 2. Check Your Songs' Metadata and Details

Next, check your songs' information. Open the Music app on Mac or iTunes on Windows and look at your library. Use Get Info or Song Info for each track. Make sure the title, artist, album, and genre are correct. Accurate info helps Apple Music match your songs correctly. Fix any mistakes before moving on.

On Mac or PC

1. In your library, find the song you just added.
2. Right-click the song and select Song Info (PC) or Get Info (Mac).
3. Check the Details tab to verify the song title, artist, album, and genre.
4. Correct any inaccurate information before proceeding, as metadata errors can prevent matching with Apple Music.

Step 3. Turn On Sync Library to Match Songs with iCloud

Now, turn on Sync Library. This feature is available to Apple Music or iTunes Match subscribers. On iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > Music and toggle Sync Library on. On Mac or Windows, go to Edit > Preferences > General and check Sync Library there. This allows Apple Music to connect your library to iCloud and start matching your songs. Make sure you're signed in with your Apple ID and have an active subscription.

On iPhone or iPad

1. Open Settings.
2. Scroll down and tap Music.
3. Under the Library section, toggle on Sync Library.

On Mac

1. Open the Music app.
2. In the top menu, click Music > Preferences.
3. Go to the General tab.
4. Check the box for Sync Library (previously iCloud Music Library).
5. Click OK to save.

On Windows PC (iTunes)

1. Open iTunes.
2. Click Edit > Preferences from the top menu.
3. In the General tab, check iCloud Music Library.
4. Click OK.

Step 4. Let Apple Music Match or Upload Songs to iCloud

Once Sync Library is on, Apple Music will try to match your songs. If a match is found, it replaces your local file with the Apple Music version. If a song can't be matched, it is uploaded to iCloud so you can still play it on other devices. You can check progress using the iCloud Status column in your library.

Step 5. Fix Mismatched or Unmatched Songs in Your Library

Sometimes a song gets matched incorrectly or doesn't match at all. You might see a greyed-out track, a duplicate, or the wrong version. To fix this, delete the incorrect cloud version, check the song info, and re-add it if needed.

1. Confirm that you initially had the correct file and it's still available in your original iTunes library.
2. On your iPhone, locate the mismatched song.
3. Tap the 3-dot icon > Delete from Library. This removes the song from all your iCloud devices. The prompt may say, "This would also remove it from any playlists." If the file still exists in your iTunes library, it won't be deleted from there.
4. After deletion, you'll see a crossed-out cloud icon labeled Removed in iTunes, indicating the file is still present on your computer.



5. Right-click the song in iTunes and select Add to iCloud Music Library to reupload it.
6. Wait for the corrected song to appear on your iPhone; it may take up to 24 hours.

Step 6. Access Matched Songs Across All Your Devices

Once songs are matched or uploaded, you can play them on all your devices. Your iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and Windows PC will show the same library. You can stream songs from iCloud without manually transferring files.

Step 7. Download Matched Songs for Offline Listening

If you want to listen offline, download your matched songs to your device. Tap the Download icon on iPhone or iPad, or click the cloud icon in Music on Mac. Your music will be ready for offline listening anytime.

Keep in mind: Apple Music tracks are DRM-protected. To remove DRM and convert them into standard files (e.g., MP3 256 kbps), you may need a tool like ViWizard Apple Music Converter.

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1. Download Matched Apple Music Songs (DRM-Protected)

On iPhone or iPad

1. Open the Music app.
2. Find the song, album, or playlist you want to download.
3. Tap the cloud icon next to it.
4. Wait for the download to complete. A checkmark will appear when ready for offline listening.

On Mac

1. Open the Music app.
2. Go to Songs, Albums, or Playlists.
3. Click the cloud icon next to the desired item.
4. Once downloaded, the song is stored locally but remains DRM-protected.

On Windows PC (iTunes)

1. Open iTunes.
2. Navigate to Library > Songs.
3. Click the cloud icon next to the song/album.
4. The file downloads to your computer but stays DRM-protected.

2. Download Matched Apple Music Songs (DRM-Free)

On Mac or PC

1. Install ViWizard Apple Music Converter on your computer.
2. Launch the converter and sign in with your Apple Music account.
3. Select the songs, albums, or playlists you want to convert and add them to the conversion list.
4. Choose your desired output format.
5. Optionally, adjust the destination folder or file naming settings.
6. Start the conversion. The software removes DRM and converts your music.
7. Once complete, open the output folder to access your DRM-free files, which can now be used offline or transferred to any device.

Key Features of ViWizard Apple Music Converter

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• Convert Apple Music songs, albums, playlists, and artists into MP3 for easy access
• Preserve lossless audio, high-resolution lossless, and Dolby Atmos quality
• Strip DRM from Apple Music for unrestricted offline listening
• Save converted audio files while retaining full ID3 tag details

Step 8. Stop Apple Music from Matching Songs (Optional)

Finally, if you want full control and don't want Apple Music to match or upload songs, turn off Sync Library and Automatic Downloads. Your original files stay the same, but you won't be able to stream matched songs across devices.

1. Turn Off Sync Library

On iPhone or iPad

1. Open Settings > Music.
2. Toggle off Sync Library.

On Mac

1. Open the Music app.
2. Click Music > Preferences > General.
3. Uncheck Sync Library.
4. Click OK.

On Windows PC (iTunes)

1. Open iTunes > Edit > Preferences > General.
2. Uncheck iCloud Music Library.
3. Click OK.

2. Turn Off Automatic Downloads

On iPhone or iPad

1. Open Settings > Music.
2. Toggle off Automatic Downloads.

On Mac or PC (Apple Music/iTunes)

1. Go to Edit > Preferences > Downloads.
2. Uncheck Automatic Downloads for music.

Conclusion

For those who value ownership and control over their music, safeguarding your collection is paramount. Consider trying out ViWizard Apple Music Converter – a reliable companion to back up your original iTunes library. With ViWizard, you not only protect your music but also gain the freedom to enjoy it without limitations. Try ViWizard Apple Music Converter for a secure and DRM-free backup today – your music, your way.