Can I store my music library on iCloud?

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Quick Answer

Yes, you can store your music library on iCloud. iCloud offers seamless syncing between your Apple devices and provides secure cloud storage for your music collection. With an iCloud subscription, all your music purchases from the iTunes Store are automatically available across your devices. You can also upload your own music to iCloud Music Library to access it anywhere.

What is iCloud?

iCloud is Apple’s cloud storage service that lets you store your photos, documents, music, apps, contacts, calendars and more in the cloud. It syncs all your data across your Apple devices so you always have the latest version of your information available on your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac, Apple TV or PC.

Some key features of iCloud include:

Seamlessly syncs data across devices so everything is up to date
Provides secure cloud storage for photos, music, files and more
Allows you to access your information from any device via the web

Backs up your iOS devices automatically when plugged in and connected to Wi-Fi
Keeps email, contacts, calendars, reminders, notes, bookmarks and documents updated across devices
Locates lost Apple devices with Find My iPhone

What is iCloud Music Library?

iCloud Music Library is a feature of iCloud that allows you to store your music library in the cloud and access it on all your devices. It lets you sync your music across iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac, PC, Apple TV and the web.

When you enable iCloud Music Library, it combines the music you purchased from iTunes with music you imported from CDs or other sources. This complete collection is then made available through all your devices signed into the same iCloud account.

Key features of iCloud Music Library include:

Syncs your full music collection across devices
Access your music from iPhone, iPad, Mac, PC, Apple TV and the web
Downloads and streams your music on-demand so you can listen anytime

Lets you download tracks for offline listening
Keeps all your music in one organized library
Uploads your imported music to iCloud Music Library

How iCloud Music Library Works

iCloud Music Library works seamlessly in the background to give you access to your music everywhere. Here’s an overview of what happens when you enable it:

It combines music purchased from iTunes with imported music into one unified library
This complete collection is uploaded and stored in iCloud

The music is then synced and immediately available on all your devices
You can stream or download songs on-demand from iCloud to any device
Any changes you make, like adding new music, are automatically updated everywhere

This gives you a centralized music library that intelligently syncs across all your devices without you having to connect them to a computer.

Setting Up iCloud Music Library

To start using iCloud Music Library, you first need to subscribe to an iCloud storage plan. Here are the steps to get set up:

On your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch upgrade to iOS 5 or later
On your Mac upgrade to OS X Mavericks or later
Make sure you have the latest version of iTunes (12.2 or later)

Turn on iCloud Music Library in iTunes preferences > General
In iTunes click Library > Update iCloud Music Library
Log into iCloud on any other devices to access your music

It may take awhile for your full music library to upload to iCloud the first time. Once finished, your collection will appear on all devices and songs will begin downloading. Any new music added afterwards will be automatically updated across your library.

Using iCloud Music Library

Once enabled, iCloud Music Library is simple and seamless to use across your Apple devices. Here are some key ways to access and enjoy your music:

On iPhone/iPad/iPod – Open the Music app. Your music will stream from iCloud. Tap the cloud icon next to a song to download it.

On Mac – Open iTunes. Click Music in the sidebar to view your library synced from iCloud.
On Apple TV – Go to Music to see your shared iCloud library. Stream music to your TV.
On PC – Get the iCloud for Windows app. Log in to access your iCloud Music Library.

On the Web – Visit icloud.com and log in. Click Music to stream from your library.

Your iCloud Music Library is always up to date and any new purchases or imported music will be added automatically wherever you are. You can re-download songs anytime you have an internet connection.

Apple Music and iCloud Music Library

If you subscribe to the Apple Music streaming service, it will integrate with your iCloud Music Library seamlessly. Here’s how Apple Music and iCloud Music work together:

Your purchased iTunes music is uploaded to iCloud Music Library
You can add Apple Music songs to your library for streaming
Downloaded Apple Music tracks are DRM-protected and must be played from the Music app

Your iCloud Music Library contains both purchased songs and Apple Music tracks
Everything is synced across your devices automatically

So your personal music collection in iCloud is integrated with the Apple Music streaming catalog for access anywhere. Apple Music downloads also appear for offline listening.

iCloud Music Library Storage

iCloud Music Library is included with any iCloud storage plan, but more space allows you to store more songs. Here are the storage options:

iCloud Plan	Storage	Cost/Month
Free	5GB	Free
50GB	50GB	$0.99
200GB	200GB	$2.99
2TB	2TB	$9.99

The 200GB or 2TB plans are recommended if you have a large music library. An average song is about 5MB, so with 200GB you can store around 40,000 songs.

Uploading Your Music to iCloud

If you have an existing music library not purchased on iTunes, here are ways to upload it to iCloud Music Library:

Automatically Import Music into iTunes

In iTunes, click File > Library > Import Media to add folders with music
Alternatively drag and drop tracks and folders directly into your iTunes library
This local music will then automatically upload to iCloud Music Library

Use iCloud Music Upload

In iTunes, click File > Library > Update iCloud Music Library
Enable iCloud Music Library in preferences > General
Non-iTunes music will upload to your iCloud Music collection

Sync Music to Your iPhone/iPad

Connect your device to your computer and open iTunes
Under device preferences check “Sync Music”
Select “Selected playlists, artists, albums, and genres” to choose music to transfer

Checked items will sync to your device and upload to iCloud

It may take hours to completely upload a large local music library, but afterwards everything will be available in your iCloud Music Library.

Listening to iCloud Music Offline

All your iCloud music can be streamed over the internet from anywhere. However, you can also save music offline by downloading songs to your device storage. This lets you listen anywhere, even without an internet connection.

Here are ways to save music offline from your iCloud library:

On iPhone/iPad use the download icon next to songs in Music
On Mac, right click songs in iTunes and select Make Available Offline

On PC, click the download button next to songs in the iCloud app

Downloaded songs will remain on your device until deleted. You can check the “Downloaded Music” section to see and manage saved music.

Managing Your iCloud Music Library

With your entire music collection in iCloud, it’s easy to organize and manage it from any device. Here are some handy music management tips:

Create playlists to organize songs – these sync across iCloud automatically
Use iTunes on a Mac or PC to edit metadata like song title, artist, album info
Rate songs with star ratings that will be updated in your library everywhere

Delete music from any device and it will remove it from your iCloud collection
Use Recently Added to see your latest imports and purchases
Toggle iCloud Music Library on/off in iTunes to exclude music from syncing

Any changes you make are reflected in your iCloud Music Library and across any connected devices.

Benefits of Storing Music on iCloud

Here are some of the key benefits you get when storing your music library on iCloud:

Access from anywhere – Stream your music from any device with internet connectivity.

Everything is synced – Your entire library stays up to date on all devices.
Listen offline – Download songs to your device storage for offline listening.
Peace of mind – Your music collection is securely backed up and not lost if your devices are damaged or lost.

Convenience – Easily add new music without connecting devices to a computer.

Potential Drawbacks

However, there are some potential drawbacks to consider when using iCloud Music Library:

Requires steady internet connection to stream music

Uploads can take time with a large local music library
No way to selectively sync only certain music to devices
iTunes library must initially be consolidated before uploading

DRM Music downloaded from Apple Music won’t work on non-Apple devices

Conclusion

In summary, iCloud Music Library provides a seamless way to store your music collection in the cloud and enjoy it across all your Apple devices. Purchased iTunes songs along with imported CDs and downloads can be uploaded to iCloud then streamed or downloaded for offline listening anytime. An iCloud storage plan provides the space to store your music.

While there are some limitations like internet requirements and upload times, the access, syncing, organization and backup benefits make it an ideal solution for an Apple-focused music library. If you want your collection available everywhere and don’t mind reliance on Apple’s ecosystem, then storing music on iCloud is an excellent choice.