Resetting your Apple Music can seem confusing, but it’s often necessary if you want to start fresh with a clean library or change your music preferences. To reset Apple Music, you need to delete your profile and library, which can be done using your iPhone, iPad, or computer. This doesn’t mean losing your subscription, just giving yourself a musical do-over.
To begin, open the Apple Music app and tap the “For You” icon. This will take you to your profile. Select “View Profile” and then “Edit.” Scroll down and choose “Delete Profile.” This step wipes out your current preferences and recommendations, effectively resetting your Apple Music experience.
Don’t worry about your subscription—it remains active, allowing you to build a new library from scratch. Refreshing your profile lets you correct past mistakes in your music choices and discover new favorites without old data getting in the way. So go ahead, reset your Apple Music and enjoy a fresh start with your tunes.
Preparing to Reset Apple Music
Before resetting Apple Music, it’s crucial to understand the impact and take steps to save your favorite tracks and playlists. Let’s break this down.
Understanding the Impact of a Reset
Resetting Apple Music means you will lose all your playlists, saved albums, and tracks. You’ll need to rebuild your music library from scratch. Think of it as a fresh start, but it also means leaving behind the library you’ve curated.
If you reset your Apple Music recommendations, the service won’t remember your past preferences. So, your personalized recommendations will reset, and suggested songs might not be what you enjoyed before.
It’s important to be fully prepared for this reset process. Consider if you truly want to delete everything or if you just want to clear specific data. This understanding will help you avoid unintended consequences and ensure you know what you’re getting into.
Backing Up Your Favorites
Before you hit that reset button, make sure to back up your favorite songs, playlists, and albums. Start by creating a manual list of your favorites. You can use a simple spreadsheet or even write it down.
Export your playlists to another service like Spotify using a tool like SongShift. This way, you won’t lose your curated playlists. Alternatively, take screenshots of your essential playlists and album lists.
For individual tracks, consider downloading them if you have a subscription that allows offline listening. Make note of any exclusive tracks or albums that might be harder to find again later.
Remember, once you reset, it’s a clean slate. Having a backup will save you a lot of stress and ensure your music favorites are just a few clicks away.
How to Reset on Different Devices
Resetting Apple Music can be done on various devices like iPhones, iPads, Macs, PCs, and even Android devices. Each method is different, so it’s important to follow the specific steps for your device.
Resetting on iPhone and iPad
On your iPhone or iPad, you start by opening the Settings app. Scroll down and tap General, then head over to iPhone Storage or iPad Storage. From there, locate the Music app and tap on it. You’ll see an option to Offload App. This won’t delete your music data but will free up space. If you want a complete reset, delete the app and then reinstall it from the App Store.
Another way is through the Apple Music app itself. Open the app and go to Library. You can remove all your songs by selecting Edit, tapping individual tracks, or bulk deleting by selecting All Songs and hitting Delete.
Starting Fresh on Mac and PC
To reset Apple Music on a Mac or PC, you need to use the Apple Music app or iTunes. On a Mac, open the Music app and navigate to the Songs section from the sidebar. Select all songs by pressing Command + A (on PC, use Ctrl + A). Hit the Delete key and then confirm the deletion.
If using iTunes on a PC, open iTunes and go to your Library. Select Music and choose the songs you want to delete. Another method is to sign out of your Apple ID in Music preferences and sign back in, which will refresh your library.
Clearing Apple Music on Android Devices
For Android devices, resetting Apple Music involves the Music app installed from the Google Play Store. Open the app and go to Settings by tapping the three-dot menu. Scroll down to find Storage options. Here, you can clear the cache which might solve minor issues.
To fully reset, you’d need to uninstall the app by holding down its icon and selecting Uninstall. Reinstall the app from the Play Store and sign in with your Apple ID. This will reset your entire Apple Music library on the Android device.
Cleaning Up Your Music Library
When your Apple Music library gets cluttered, it’s time for some spring cleaning. I’ll guide you through deleting songs and albums, removing downloaded content, and managing iCloud Music Library and iTunes Match.
Deleting Unwanted Songs and Albums
To clear out songs and albums you no longer listen to, start by opening the Apple Music app or visiting music.apple.com. Use the sidebar to navigate to the Songs menu. From here, you can select the songs you want to get rid of.
Here’s the step-by-step guide:
- Open Apple Music (app or web version).
- Navigate to the Songs menu.
- Select unwanted songs by holding down the Shift key for multiple selections.
- Press backspace on your keyboard.
- Confirm deletion when prompted.
This method ensures that you can clean out large batches of songs quickly. Got some albums that are no longer your jam? The process is pretty much the same—just work from the Albums tab instead.
Removing Downloaded Content
Downloaded music takes up space on your device. Here’s how you can clear that storage:
- Open Settings on your iPhone or iPad.
- Go to General > iPhone Storage.
- Find Music and tap it.
- Tap Edit and then Delete All to remove all downloaded content.
If you prefer to be selective, you can delete individual songs or albums directly in the Apple Music app by:
- Swiping left on a downloaded item.
- Tapping the red Delete icon.
This deletes the downloaded files, freeing up space without removing the song from your library entirely.
Managing iCloud Music Library and iTunes Match
iCloud Music Library and iTunes Match keep your music synced across all your devices. Sometimes these need a reset to clear up issues or start fresh.
To manage your iCloud Music Library:
- Open Apple Music and go to Preferences.
- Check the iCloud Music Library box to enable it.
- To reset, uncheck and then recheck the box.
If you’re using iTunes Match:
- Open iTunes and go to Preferences.
- Enable iTunes Match if it’s not already on.
- Update iTunes Match by clicking Store > Update iTunes Match.
These steps help keep everything neat and ensure your music is where you need it.
After the Reset: Personalizing Apple Music
Resetting Apple Music gives you a clean slate. Now’s the time to make it yours again. Fine-tune your recommendations, and rebuild your playlists and favorites for a better experience.
Improving Music Recommendations
Start by setting up your preferences. Open Apple Music and go to the “For You” section. Tap on the heart icon at the bottom of the screen.
You’ll see suggestions for genres and artists. Pick your favorites, and Apple Music will tailor recommendations based on these choices.
To further refine recommendations, play songs and albums you like. Skip tracks you don’t enjoy. Apple’s algorithm learns from your behavior.
Also, rate songs by tapping the love icon. The more you interact, the better your music recommendations will get.
Rebuilding Your Playlists and Favorites
Creating new playlists is the fun part. Go to the “Library” and tap “New Playlist”. Add songs you like.
Think of categories like “Workout Jams” or “Chill Beats”. Manually add songs to each playlist or let Apple Music suggest tracks based on your listening history.
Additionally, rebuild your list of favorites. Tap and hold a song, then select “Add to Library” or “Add to Playlist”.
Don’t forget about albums and artists. Follow your favorite artists to get updates on new releases.
By actively curating your playlists and favorites, you’ll quickly get back to enjoying a personalized music experience.
I’m Marcus Bextor, a seasoned software engineer passionate about demystifying technology. With over a decade in the tech industry, my journey began with a Computer Science degree, evolving through various roles in software development, system architecture, and project management. At MWTA, I leverage my expertise to provide in-depth, unbiased reviews of the latest tech products, from smartphones to smart homes. My blogs aim to be accessible to all, breaking down complex jargon into simple language. Besides reviews, I share insights on tech trends and practical tips. Connect with me for questions and suggestions as we explore the tech world together.