Have you ever downloaded a bunch of music onto your iPhone and later realized that you no longer need or want those songs taking up valuable storage space? Well, fear not! In this blog post, we will be addressing the challenge of deleting downloaded music on iPhone and providing you with different methods to accomplish this task. Whether you want to free up space on your device or simply remove music that you no longer enjoy, we’ve got you covered.
Video Tutorial:
The Challenge of Managing Downloaded Music on iPhone:
One of the challenges that iPhone users often face is managing their downloaded music. While it’s easy to download songs onto your device, it can be a bit more complicated when it comes to deleting those files. The built-in music app on iPhone doesn’t provide a direct option to delete downloaded music. This can be frustrating, especially if you’re trying to declutter your device or create more space for other files and apps.
Things You Should Prepare for:
Before diving into the methods of deleting downloaded music, there are a few things you should prepare for:
1. Backup your music: Before deleting any music from your iPhone, it’s always a good idea to create a backup of your songs. This way, you’ll have a copy of your music stored safely in case you change your mind or accidentally delete something you still wanted to keep.
2. Make a list: If you have a large music library on your iPhone, it can be helpful to make a list of the songs you want to delete. This will make the process more organized and ensure that you don’t accidentally delete any songs that you still want to keep.
Now that you’re ready to delete downloaded music on your iPhone, let’s explore four different methods you can use:
Method 1. Using the Music App:
The Music app on your iPhone might not provide a direct option to delete downloaded music, but there is a workaround you can use to achieve this. Follow the steps below:
1. Open the Music app on your iPhone.
2. Go to the Library tab located at the bottom of the screen.
3. Find the song or album you want to delete and swipe to the left.
4. Tap on the Delete button that appears.
5. Confirm the deletion by tapping on Delete Downloads.
Pros:
1. Quick and easy method.
2. Can delete multiple songs or albums at once.
3. Requires no additional apps or tools.
Cons:
1. Doesn’t delete the songs permanently, just removes the downloaded files.
2. Songs can be re-downloaded from Apple Music if needed.
Method 2. Via iTunes:
If you prefer managing your music collection via iTunes on your computer, you can also delete downloaded music using this method. Here’s how:
1. Connect your iPhone to your computer and launch iTunes.
2. Click on the device icon located near the top-left corner of the iTunes window.
3. Navigate to the Music tab in the sidebar on the left.
4. Under the "Summary" tab, scroll down to the "Options" section.
5. Check the box next to "Sync only checked songs and videos."
6. Uncheck the box next to any songs or albums you want to delete from your iPhone.
7. Click on the Apply button to sync your changes.
Pros:
1. Gives you more control over your music library.
2. Can delete songs permanently from your iPhone.
3. Allows you to manage your music collection from your computer.
Cons:
1. Requires a computer and iTunes.
2. Syncing changes may remove other downloaded content as well.
Method 3. Using the Files App:
If you have downloaded music stored in the Files app on your iPhone, you can delete it using the following steps:
1. Open the Files app on your iPhone.
2. Navigate to the location where your downloaded music is saved (e.g., iCloud Drive or On My iPhone).
3. Find the music file or folder you want to delete and swipe to the left.
4. Tap on the Delete button that appears.
5. Confirm the deletion by tapping on Delete.
Pros:
1. Works for downloaded music stored in the Files app.
2. Can delete individual files or entire folders.
3. Provides more flexibility in managing your files.
Cons:
1. May require additional steps if the music is stored in a cloud service like iCloud Drive.
Method 4. Using a Third-Party App:
If the previous methods don’t work for you or if you prefer using third-party apps, there are several apps available on the App Store that can help you delete downloaded music on your iPhone. One popular app is Documents by Readdle. Here’s how you can use it:
1. Install the Documents app from the App Store if you haven’t already.
2. Open the app and tap on the File Manager icon at the bottom-right corner.
3. Navigate to the location where your downloaded music is stored.
4. Select the songs or albums you want to delete.
5. Tap on the three-dot menu icon and choose Delete.
6. Confirm the deletion by tapping on Delete.
Pros:
1. Offers additional features for managing files.
2. Can delete music downloaded from various sources.
3. Provides more control over file management.
Cons:
1. Requires downloading and setting up a third-party app.
2. Some third-party apps may have limitations or require a premium subscription.
Why Can’t I Delete Downloaded Music on iPhone?
There are several reasons why you might not be able to delete downloaded music on your iPhone. Here are a few common issues and their fixes:
1. Music is synced from iTunes: If your music collection is synced from iTunes on your computer, you’ll need to connect your iPhone to your computer and make changes using the iTunes app. Follow Method 2 outlined in this blog post to delete the music.
2. Music is part of a synced playlist: If the music you want to delete is part of a synced playlist, you’ll need to modify the playlist in iTunes and remove the songs you don’t want.
3. Music is from a streaming service: If the music you want to delete is from a streaming service like Apple Music or Spotify, you won’t be able to delete it directly from your iPhone. Instead, you’ll need to go to the respective app and remove the songs from your library or playlists.
Additional Tips:
Here are a few additional tips to help you better manage and delete downloaded music on your iPhone:
1. Use the "Optimize Storage" feature on Apple Music: This feature automatically removes downloaded music that you haven’t listened to in a while to free up storage space on your iPhone. To enable it, go to Settings > Music > Optimize Storage and toggle on the "Optimize Storage" option.
2. Download music for offline listening: If you frequently listen to music when you don’t have an internet connection, it’s best to download songs specifically for offline listening. This way, you can easily manage and delete the downloaded music without affecting your entire library.
3. Regularly review and clean up your music library: It’s a good practice to regularly review your music library and remove any songs or albums that you no longer enjoy or listen to. This will help keep your music collection organized and free up storage space on your iPhone.
5 FAQs about Deleting Downloaded Music on iPhone:
Q1: Can I delete downloaded music without deleting it from my library?
A: Yes, all the methods mentioned in this blog post only delete the downloaded files from your iPhone and not from your library. This means that you can re-download the songs anytime if needed.
Q2: Can I permanently delete music from my iPhone?
A: Yes, using the iTunes method mentioned in this blog post allows you to permanently delete music from your iPhone. However, make sure to have a backup of your music before deleting it.
Q3: Why can’t I delete some music from my iPhone?
A: There could be several reasons why you can’t delete certain music from your iPhone. Check if the music is synced from iTunes, part of a synced playlist, or from a streaming service. Follow the appropriate fixes mentioned in the blog post to resolve these issues.
Q4: Will deleting downloaded music free up storage space on my iPhone?
A: Yes, deleting downloaded music from your iPhone will free up storage space. However, keep in mind that if you’re using streaming services like Apple Music or Spotify, deleting the music may not have a significant impact on storage space since the songs are not stored locally.
Q5: Can I delete downloaded music using Siri?
A: No, as of now, Siri does not provide a direct option to delete downloaded music on iPhone. You’ll need to follow one of the methods mentioned in this blog post to accomplish that.
In Conclusion:
Deleting downloaded music on your iPhone can be a simple task with the right methods and strategies. Whether you choose to use the Music app, iTunes, the Files app, or a third-party app, there are plenty of options available to help you manage your music library effectively. Remember to backup your music and create a list of songs you want to delete before embarking on this task. By following the steps outlined in this blog post and implementing the additional tips, you’ll be able to free up storage space and enhance your iPhone music experience.