How to Turn Off iCloud Music Library [Updated]

What is iCloud Music Library? It is Apple's music storage and backup service. With it, you can sync your Apple Music library between up to 10 Apple devices using the same iCloud account. However, many users complained that their music metadata was messed up or even songs disappeared. And the truth is, even if you've built your music library, you still won't have access to your Apple Music songs when your subscription expires.

So, you can choose to disable iCloud Music Library in seconds. Now let's see how to turn off iCloud Music Library on iPhone, iPad, Mac, and PC. You can also get a better way to backup your Apple Music library.

• Part 1. How to Disable iCloud Music Library
• For iPhone/iPad
• For Mac
• For PC
• Part 2. A Better Way to Backup Apple Music
• Part 3. FAQs about iCloud Music Library

Part 1. How to Turn Off iCloud Music Library

iCloud Music Library is turned on by default, so if you don't want automatic syncing, you'll need to turn it off manually. Once iCloud Music Library turn off:

🤔 Your devices will no longer sync.

🤔 It will delete all cloud music including Apple Music downloads.

😊 The good news is that you can still access all your purchased songs through iTunes. And these songs can be streamed on your Apple devices.

1.1 How to Turn Off iCloud Music Library on iPhone/iPad

Step 1. Power your iPhone or iPad and go to the 'Settings' app.

Step 2. Scroll down to tap on 'Music'.

Step 3. If your device is an earlier version of iOS: turn off 'iCloud Music Library'.

If your device is iOS 13, iPadOS 13, or later: turn off 'Sync Library'.

Step 4. Once the button turns gray, iCloud Music Library is disabled.

1.2 How to Turn Off iCloud Music Library on Mac

Step 1. Open Apple Music on your Mac computer.

Step 2. Select the 'Music' tab at the top. Then select the 'Preferences' option in the drop-down list.

Step 3. In the 'General' tab, uncheck the 'Sync Library' option. (If you do not subscribe to Apple Music or iTunes Match, this option will not be previously checked. You can re-enable the sync feature at any time by checking the checkbox again.)

Step 4. Click on the 'OK' button at the bottom.

1.3 How to Turn iCloud Music Library Off on PC

Step 1. Open Apple Music or iTunes on your PC.

Step 2. From the top menu bar, click on the 'Edit' option. Then select 'Preferences' at the bottom of the drop-down list.

Step 3. Uncheck 'iCloud Music Library' in the 'General' tab. (Similar to Mac, this option won't be checked if you do not currently subscribe to Apple Music or iTunes Match.)

Step 4. Click on the 'OK' button to save your changes.

Part 2. How to Backup Apple Music for Playing after Unsubscribing

Backing up Apple Music with iCloud Music Library is very inconvenient because once you cancel the subscription, you will lose access to Apple Music songs. Thankfully, DRmare Audio Converter offers a better way to store and backup your Apple Music library.

It is a refined downloader for Apple Music, iTunes, Audible and other general audio. With it, you can extract music from Apple Music to popular audio files. All of these files will be saved to your local drive so you can keep them forever. Plus, the download speed is up to 30x faster, so you can back up your Apple Music as quickly as possible.

DRmare Apple Music Downloader

• Download and keep Apple Music after unsubscribing
• Convert Apple Music to MP3, M4A, AAC, M4B, etc.
• Keep original sound quality and full metadata
• Work at up to 30 times faster, play anywhere

Download Download

How to Back up Apple Music after Turning Off iCloud Music Library

Above the 'Download' link is a free trial version of DRmare Audio Converter. You can try it to back up Apple Music for playing forever.

Step 1Add Apple Music to DRmare Audio Converter

Open DRmare Audio Converter and add Apple Music songs to it. To do it, click on the first 'Add Music' button at the bottom left to browse your iTunes library. Or you can click on the second 'Add Files' button to load files from your computer's folder.

Step 2Customize Apple Music output parameters

DRmare Audio Converter allows you to change the output format and other audio parameters. You can click on the 'format' icon at the bottom right to choose your desired output format and change the sample rate, audio rate, and others. Then click on the 'OK' button to save your changes.

Step 3Download and back up Apple Music songs

Hit the 'Convert' button to start downloading and backing up your Apple Music songs. When the process is done, you can click on the 'Converted'/'History' icon at the bottom right to find the downloaded files. Then you will be able to listen to Apple Music offline even if your subscription expires.

Part 3. FAQs about iCloud Music Library

Here we selected some useful questions and answers that you may need.

Q1: What Happens If I Disable iCloud Music Library?

A: Turning off iCloud Music Library can avoid all syncing errors. But you will not be able to access your cloud copies including your Apple Music, iTunes Music Library and other music tracks you upload to iCloud. Plus, all of your devices will not sync.

Q2: Can I Backup Apple Music without iCloud Music Library?

A: Yes. DRmare Audio Converter is the best tool to back up Apple Music, iTunes music library or other audio files. It doesn't degrade any audio quality and downloads your songs 30x faster. Saved audio files will be stored on your computer, or you can choose to move them to a USB drive for backup.

Q3: How to Turn Off iCloud Music Library on iPhone XR?

A: From the Settings app on your iPhone XR, select the 'Music' section. Then scroll down to find 'iCloud Music Library'. Toggle off this option to turn iCloud Music Library off.

Q4: How to Turn on iCloud Music Library?

A: Opening the iCloud Music Library is as simple as reversing the steps. On an iPhone, turn "Sync Library" back; On a Mac, check the box for "Sync Library"; On Windows, check the box for "iCloud Music Library".