iCloud Music Library outage triggers error messages, disappearing libraries for Apple Music users
A component of Apple Music, iCloud Music Library, was hit with extended downtime on Wednesday, causing numerous problems for people trying to play songs and albums.
Many people using iTunes are running into repeated "Unable to connect to iCloud Music Library" messages during playback, complaints on Twitter suggest. On iOS, the Music app is prompting some listeners to sign up for Apple Music even if they already have a subscription or previously declined.
Perhaps the most serious trouble is that some people are seeing their libraries disappear, although it's not yet clear if anyone has lost music permanently. Indeed Apple's official online system status tracker claims no ongoing issues whatsoever.
iCloud Music Library has often been one of the most problematic aspects of Apple Music. Immediately after the service launched in 2015, people began complaining about iCloud Music Library deleting and renaming content.
When it works, the feature is intended to enable offline caching of music and/or remote streaming of an uploaded iTunes library. Leaving it toggled off creates a comparatively crippled experience.
Apple has not come forth with an official response to the situation, although customers have contacted the company's support staff.
Many people using iTunes are running into repeated "Unable to connect to iCloud Music Library" messages during playback, complaints on Twitter suggest. On iOS, the Music app is prompting some listeners to sign up for Apple Music even if they already have a subscription or previously declined.
Perhaps the most serious trouble is that some people are seeing their libraries disappear, although it's not yet clear if anyone has lost music permanently. Indeed Apple's official online system status tracker claims no ongoing issues whatsoever.
iCloud Music Library has often been one of the most problematic aspects of Apple Music. Immediately after the service launched in 2015, people began complaining about iCloud Music Library deleting and renaming content.
Right when I need to drive work from my thoughts by means of loud music: "Unable to connect to iCloud Music Library." Fie! A pox upon Apple!
-- Mark Hodder (@MarkHodderBooks)
@b3ll I've been having problems with iCloud Music Library all day. So I guess I'm not the only one?
-- Keeton Feavel (@Auxel_)
@rectangular Mine gone too and getting the error 'Unable to connect to iCloud Music Library'
-- Liam McNally (@MrMcNally)
When it works, the feature is intended to enable offline caching of music and/or remote streaming of an uploaded iTunes library. Leaving it toggled off creates a comparatively crippled experience.
Apple has not come forth with an official response to the situation, although customers have contacted the company's support staff.
Comments
Bbbbbut its the future! /s
Im with you- maybe icloud as one part of a backup solution, but not main storage and then... stream it down when you need it... that's just crazy. I think Tim etc need to have the Steve Jobs experience--- go off on a retreat and drop some acid... clear their heads to some creative thinking
I’m guessing maybe three people at the most who then went ballistic on every blog they could find.
Times the cloud is likely/definitely useless...
o on a bus
o in a subway
o on a train
o in network congested areas
o in a tunnel
o in a large building
o traveling abroad
o in rural areas
o on an airplane
o etc., etc…
oh, and today, when there's a failure on the other end.
There's no NEED to make it required to use Apple Music offline...That's my only point. Let me sync my iPhone locally as always, save Apple Music offline to my devices, and that's it. If I want to use ICML as a redundant storage device, or for when I might want to stream off the web (if that were possible), great. Make it an OPTION.