Do you want to declutter your music library and save some precious storage space on your Macbook? If so, you may want to consider turning off iCloud Music Library. This article will guide you through the simple steps on how to do just that. Switching it off can free up a substantial amount of space and help you organize your music collection more efficiently. Whether you’re a casual listener or an avid music enthusiast, this guide will provide you with the necessary instructions to turn off iCloud Music Library on your Macbook.
Before you proceed, it’s important to understand the implications of disabling iCloud Music Library. Once you turn it off, any music that you’ve added to your library from Apple Music will no longer be available on your Macbook. Additionally, any music that you’ve purchased from the iTunes Store will remain in your library, but it won’t be available for streaming or download until you turn iCloud Music Library back on. If you’re unsure whether you want to turn off iCloud Music Library, you can always try it out temporarily and see how it affects your music listening experience.
To turn off iCloud Music Library on your Macbook, follow these steps: 1) Open the Music app on your Macbook. 2) Click on the Music menu in the menu bar at the top of the screen. 3) Select Preferences. 4) Click on the General tab. 5) Uncheck the box next to iCloud Music Library. 6) Click on the OK button to save your changes. Once you’ve completed these steps, iCloud Music Library will be turned off on your Macbook. You can now enjoy your locally stored music without the need for an internet connection.
Opening System Preferences
To begin, you’ll need to access System Preferences, the central hub for managing various settings on your Macbook. There are several ways to launch System Preferences, depending on your preferences.
**Method 1: Apple Menu**
- Click on the **Apple logo** in the top-left corner of your screen.
- Select **System Preferences** from the dropdown menu that appears.
**Method 2: Dock**
- Locate the **System Preferences** icon in your Dock. It resembles a gear with eight spokes.
- Click on the icon to launch System Preferences.
**Method 3: Spotlight Search**
- Click on the **Spotlight search bar** in the top-right corner of your screen.
- Type **’System Preferences’** into the search field.
- Select **System Preferences** from the search results.
Once you have successfully launched System Preferences, you can proceed to the next steps to disable iCloud Music Library on your Macbook.
Selecting Apple ID
To access the iCloud Music Library settings, you must first select your Apple ID. Follow these steps:
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Open the Music app on your MacBook.
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Click on the “Music” menu bar at the top of the screen and select “Preferences”.
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Click on the “General” tab and then click on the “Apple ID” button. This will open the Apple ID management window.
Once you have selected your Apple ID, you can proceed to the next step to turn off iCloud Music Library.
| MacOS Version | Steps to Turn Off iCloud Music Library |
|---|---|
| Catalina (10.15) or later | In the Apple ID management window, uncheck the box next to “iCloud Music Library”. |
| Mojave (10.14) or earlier | In the Music app’s “Preferences” window, uncheck the box next to “iCloud Music Library”. |
Once you haveunchecked the box, iCloud Music Library will be turned off on your MacBook. Any music that you have downloaded to your computer will still be available in the Music app, but any music that you have only streamed from iCloud will no longer be accessible.
Choosing iCloud
To disable iCloud Music Library on your MacBook, follow these steps:
- Open the Music app on your MacBook.
- Click on the “Music” menu in the top left corner of the screen.
- Select “Preferences” from the drop-down menu.
- In the “General” tab, uncheck the box next to “iCloud Music Library”.
- Click on the “OK” button to save your changes.
Troubleshooting
If you are unable to disable iCloud Music Library on your MacBook, there are a few things you can try:
- Make sure that you are signed in to your iCloud account on your MacBook.
- Check if you have an active internet connection.
- Restart your MacBook.
If you are still unable to disable iCloud Music Library, you may need to contact Apple Support for assistance.
Disabling iCloud Music Library
To disable iCloud Music Library on your MacBook, follow these steps:
1. Open the Music app
Click on the Music app icon in your dock or launch it from the Applications folder.
2. Click on the Music menu
In the menu bar at the top of the screen, click on the “Music” menu.
3. Select “Preferences”
From the dropdown menu, select “Preferences”.
4. Disable iCloud Music Library
In the Preferences window, click on the “General” tab. Under the “Music Library” section, uncheck the box next to “iCloud Music Library”.
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Open the Music app. |
| 2 | Click on the Music menu. |
| 3 | Select “Preferences”. |
| 4 | In the “General” tab, uncheck the “iCloud Music Library” box. |
Disable iCloud Music Library
To disable iCloud Music Library, follow these steps:
- Open the Music app on your Mac.
- Click on the “Music” menu in the menu bar.
- Select “Preferences” from the drop-down menu.
- Click on the “General” tab.
- Uncheck the box next to “iCloud Music Library”.
Confirming the Deactivation
Once you have unchecked the box next to “iCloud Music Library”, you will be prompted to confirm your decision. A pop-up window will appear, asking you if you are sure you want to turn off iCloud Music Library. If you click on “Turn Off”, iCloud Music Library will be disabled on your Mac.
It is important to note that disabling iCloud Music Library will not delete any of your music from your device. However, it will prevent you from accessing your music library from other devices that are signed in to the same Apple ID.
If you decide that you want to turn iCloud Music Library back on, you can follow the same steps as above and check the box next to “iCloud Music Library”.
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Open the Music app |
| 2 | Click on the “Music” menu |
| 3 | Select “Preferences” |
| 4 | Click on the “General” tab |
| 5 | Uncheck the box next to “iCloud Music Library” and confirm your decision |
Troubleshooting Authorization Errors
Authorization Errors with Apple Music
If you encounter authorization errors while using Apple Music on your Mac, follow these troubleshooting steps:
- Confirm Internet Connectivity: Ensure that your Mac has a stable internet connection.
- Check Apple ID Credentials: Verify that you are signed in to Apple Music with the correct Apple ID associated with your subscription.
- Disable and Re-enable iCloud Music Library: Go to “Music” > “Preferences” > “General” and uncheck and then recheck the “iCloud Music Library” option. This may resolve any temporary authorization issues.
- Restart Your Mac: A simple restart can often resolve minor software glitches that may be causing authorization errors.
- Check Apple System Status: Visit Apple’s System Status page to check if there are any ongoing issues with Apple Music services.
- Sign Out and Back In: In the Music app, go to “Music” > “Preferences” > “Authorize This Computer.” Sign out of your Apple ID and then sign in again. This will refresh your authorization credentials.
- Contact Apple Support: If you continue to experience authorization errors, contact Apple Support for further assistance.
Additional Authorization Error Troubleshooting Tips
The table below provides additional tips for resolving authorization errors:
| Error | Solution |
|---|---|
| Authorization Required | Verify Apple ID and password or contact Apple Support. |
| Too Many Computers Authorized | Deauthorize other computers in iTunes or Apple Music and try again. |
| Authorization Failed | Check internet connection, Apple System Status, and contact Apple Support if necessary. |
What is iCloud Music Library?
iCloud Music Library is a cloud-based storage service from Apple that allows users to access and listen to their music library across multiple devices, including Macs, iPhones, iPads, and Apple TVs. It can match and upload the music you’ve purchased from the iTunes Store, as well as analyze and match songs from your personal collection, making it easy to access your music from any device connected to the Internet.
Turning Off iCloud Music Library on Your Mac
To turn off iCloud Music Library on your Mac, follow these steps:
- Open the Music app.
- Click on the “Music” menu in the menu bar.
- Select “Preferences…”
- Click on the “General” tab.
- Uncheck the box next to “iCloud Music Library”.
- Click the “Done” button.
Deactivating iCloud Music Library on Multiple Devices
If you want to turn off iCloud Music Library on multiple devices, you can do so by following the steps above on each device. You can also use the following methods to deactivate iCloud Music Library on multiple devices:
Using iCloud.com
You can turn off iCloud Music Library on multiple devices by using the iCloud website.
Using the Find my iPhone app
If you have the Find my iPhone app installed on your devices, you can use it to turn off iCloud Music Library on those devices.
Using the Apple Support App
You can also use the Apple Support app to get help turning off iCloud Music Library on multiple devices.
| Method | Steps |
|---|---|
| iCloud.com |
|
| Find my iPhone |
|
| Apple Support App |
|
How To Turn Off Icloud Music Library On Macbook
Step 1: Open the Apple Music App
Launch the Apple Music app on your MacBook.
Step 2: Click on the Music Menu
Click on the "Music" menu in the top-left corner of the window.
Step 3: Select "Preferences"
Choose "Preferences" from the drop-down menu.
Step 4: Click on the "General" Tab
The "General" tab will be selected by default.
Step 5: Uncheck "iCloud Music Library"
Locate the "iCloud Music Library" checkbox and uncheck it.
Step 6: Confirm the Change
Click on the "Turn Off iCloud Music Library" button to confirm the change.
Step 7: Wait for the Process to Complete
Apple Music will begin syncing your library with iCloud. This process may take some time depending on the size of your library.
Recovering Music from iCloud Music Library
If you have turned off iCloud Music Library and lost access to your music, you can recover it by:
- Re-enabling iCloud Music Library
- Downloading the music to your MacBook
- Using third-party software to retrieve the music
Re-enabling iCloud Music Library
This will restore your music to your MacBook, but you may lose any changes or additions made while iCloud Music Library was turned off.
Downloading the Music to Your MacBook
To download the music, follow these steps:
- Create a new playlist in Apple Music.
- Add the music you want to recover to the playlist.
- Right-click on the playlist and select “Download”.
Using Third-Party Software
There are several third-party software programs that can help you recover music from iCloud Music Library. Some popular options include:
| Software | Platform | Price |
|---|---|---|
| iCloud Music Library Recovery | macOS | Free |
| Music Recovery for iCloud | Windows | Paid |
| TunesKit Audio Converter | macOS/Windows | Paid |
Managing Music Storage After Deactivation
Once you turn off iCloud Music Library, your music will no longer be stored in the cloud. You’ll need to decide what you want to do with the music that’s currently stored in your iCloud Music Library.
You can choose to:
- Keep a copy of the music on your Mac.
- Delete the music from your Mac.
- Move the music to an external hard drive.
Here’s a more detailed explanation of each option:
Keep a Copy of the Music on Your Mac
This is the best option if you want to keep all of your music on your Mac. However, it will take up more space on your Mac’s hard drive.
To keep a copy of the music on your Mac:
1. Open the Music app.
2. Click the Music menu in the menu bar.
3. Select Preferences.
4. Click the General tab.
5. Uncheck the box next to “iCloud Music Library.”
6. Click OK.
Delete the Music from Your Mac
This is the best option if you don’t want to keep any of the music on your Mac. However, you will not be able to access the music from any other devices.
To delete the music from your Mac:
1. Open the Music app.
2. Click the Music menu in the menu bar.
3. Select Preferences.
4. Click the General tab.
5. Check the box next to “Remove all downloaded music.”
6. Click OK.
Move the Music to an External Hard Drive
This is a good option if you want to keep the music but don’t want it to take up space on your Mac’s hard drive. You can move the music to an external hard drive using the following steps:
- Connect an external hard drive to your Mac.
- Open the Music app.
- Click the Music menu in the menu bar.
- Select Preferences.
- Click the File Locations tab.
- Click the Add button and select the external hard drive.
- Click OK.
Once you’ve added the external hard drive, you can move the music to the hard drive by dragging and dropping it into the Music app.
| Option | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Keep a copy of the music on your Mac | -You can keep all of your music on your Mac. -You can access the music from any device that is connected to your iCloud account. |
-It will take up more space on your Mac’s hard drive. |
| Delete the music from your Mac | -You will free up space on your Mac’s hard drive. -You will not be able to access the music from any other devices. |
-You will not be able to access the music from any other devices. |
| Move the music to an external hard drive | -You can keep the music without taking up space on your Mac’s hard drive. -You can access the music from any device that is connected to the external hard drive. |
-You need to have an external hard drive that is large enough to store the music. -You need to keep the external hard drive connected to your Mac to access the music. |
Optimizing Music Storage Space
How to Turn Off iCloud Music Library on MacBook
If you’re running out of storage space on your MacBook, one of the things you can do is turn off iCloud Music Library. This will remove all of your music from your MacBook and store it in the cloud, which can free up a significant amount of space. Here’s how to do it:
1. Open the Music app on your MacBook.
2. Click on the Music menu in the menu bar.
3. Select Preferences.
4. Click on the General tab.
5. Uncheck the box next to iCloud Music Library.
6. Click on the OK button.
Confirming the Change
You will be asked to confirm that you want to turn off iCloud Music Library. Click on the Turn Off iCloud Music Library button.
Removing Downloaded Music
Once you have turned off iCloud Music Library, all of the music that you have downloaded to your MacBook will be removed. You can still access your music in the cloud by streaming it from the Music app.
Turning iCloud Music Library Back On
If you decide that you want to turn iCloud Music Library back on, you can do so by following the same steps as above. Just make sure that you check the box next to iCloud Music Library in step 5.
Additional Tips for Optimizing Music Storage Space
Here are some additional tips for optimizing music storage space on your MacBook:
- Delete any music that you don’t listen to anymore.
- Convert your music to a more space-efficient format, such as MP3 or AAC.
- Use a cloud storage service to store your music, such as iCloud Drive or Dropbox.
- Use an external hard drive to store your music.
How to Turn Off iCloud Music Library on MacBook
If you’re no longer interested in using iCloud Music Library, you can turn it off on your MacBook by following these steps:
- Open the Music app on your MacBook.
- Click on the “Music” menu in the menu bar at the top of the screen.
- Select “Preferences” from the drop-down menu.
- Click on the “General” tab in the Preferences window.
- Uncheck the “iCloud Music Library” checkbox.
- Click on the “OK” button to save your changes.
iCloud Music Library will now be turned off on your MacBook. Any music that you have downloaded to your MacBook will still be available in the Music app, but you will no longer be able to stream music from iCloud.
People Also Ask
How do I turn off iCloud Music Library on all my devices?
To turn off iCloud Music Library on all your devices, you need to turn it off on each device individually. You can follow the steps above to turn it off on your MacBook, and you can find instructions for turning it off on other devices on Apple’s support website.
What happens if I turn off iCloud Music Library?
If you turn off iCloud Music Library, any music that you have not downloaded to your device will no longer be available to you. You will also lose access to any playlists or albums that you have created in iCloud Music Library. However, any music that you have downloaded to your device will still be available in the Music app.
How do I get my music back if I turn off iCloud Music Library?
If you have turned off iCloud Music Library and you want to get your music back, you can download it from iCloud. To do this, open the Music app on your device and go to the “Library” tab. Then, click on the “Cloud” icon in the top-right corner of the screen. Any music that you have purchased or downloaded from Apple Music will be available to download again.
